סו.

A person must be very careful not to perform the work of a beast, Heaven forbid. For the daas — which is the boundary of the human being — is the exact opposite of all the desires, etc., which are the aspect of foolishness and senselessness and madness — literally the work of a beast. And when one merits through the daas to drive away the desires and the evil beastly character traits — then his intellect strengthens and is elevated. And according to the subjugation of the beastly desires — so does his intellect become elevated.

And then when he arrives at the intellect — then he must know the truth that he is still far from wisdom — in the aspect of: "I said I will become wise — and it is distant from me" [Ecclesiastes 7:23]. For the essential wisdom is that he understand that wisdom is distant from him. And then specifically he must make himself like a beast — as though there is no daas within him at all. As is explained on the verse: "that G-d gave wisdom to the beast" [Job 35:11] — that it is a great wisdom to make oneself like a beast. For it is impossible to receive and to draw down in perfection the true daas and the minds — except through the contraction of the mind (in holiness). Which is the aspect of making oneself like a beast — contracting one's daas as though one knows nothing at all. As our Sages said: "Torah is only preserved by one who makes himself as though he does not know" [Talmud Sota 21b].

And then through this specifically — one merits to receive the intellect and the mind gradually and in measure. And also when one receives some intellect and daas — one must know every time that one still knows nothing at all. And through this one merits to receive a new mind and daas every time.

Even one who is a great scholar and highly wise — and even if he has good deeds — it is impossible to arrive at the eternal purpose except through the true Tzadik and his disciples and the disciples of his disciples, etc.

To draw down upon himself the illumination of the intellect of the true Tzadik — which is very deep and very lofty — and can illuminate even within those who have fallen very greatly and are most distanced. And the essential repair of the person — in his lifetime and after his death — is only through his holding himself to the Tzadik. And in the future all of Israel will dwell in the tents of the true Tzadik and his truly genuine people — and will draw close to them. For this is the essential repair of the person — to be cleaved to the tent of the great Tzadik. And he must devote himself to breaking all the obstacles — and devote (everything)… that he devote himself and put himself to death. And he must fortify his heart with all his strength and might — put himself to death for the sake of drawing close to the great Tzadik — who is able to repair and to heal everything — through the great immensity of the illumination of his intellect.