Letter 274

[Prayer]

"Master of the world — Master of mercy — Master of compassion and graciousness — have mercy upon me and give me a complete counsel that I merit to fulfill. In such a way that I begin from now on to prepare myself for the distant path that I must inevitably travel — which is the way of all the earth — from which no person escapes. And the path is very far and very dangerous. And I have still not begun to prepare myself. Alas — what shall I do? Not only do I have no provisions for a path so distant and awesome and fearsome — but I am also a great debtor on that path. Very many and immense debts. And the creditors are pressing there — standing ready at every moment — to demand and to press me. And for every deed there — I will need to give an accounting at every moment — for every small and great matter — for every thought, word and deed. Alas — what shall I do? Who will stand up for me and who will rise before me? Alas, alas! What shall I say and what shall I speak? What shall I do when G-d rises — and when He remembers — what shall I answer Him? And therefore — may it be Your will — O full of mercy — that You be with me and save me. That I merit from now on at least to improve my deeds — and to return in complete teshuvah before You in truth. And to draw close to You with a great drawing close — in the truly true truth. Until I merit at the time…"