אות - קנח

He related that once in his youth he was at a certain rabbi's home etc. And he said that at that time he still had not attained the level of now — that he could speak with the world and even so be attached to Hashem Yisburach and engage in Torah literally. For do you think that one arrives at all the levels all at once?! This is not so — rather one must toil greatly and exert greatly in one's service (what is called "hariven") before one arrives at any good level. And then it was hard for me to be together with the world, because he wanted to engage in the service of Hashem (327). And so he said many times when he was telling about the great heights of his attainment etc. — he was accustomed to say: "Ich hob ober zeyer giharvet — ich hob asach gifost" [But I very greatly labored — I fasted very much etc.] (328). 327. RAK: See Shivchay HaBaal Shem Tov 98. 328. RAK: See below 165.