עח.

Through the power of the Tzadik there is hope for all the fallen ones — and there is no despair in the world at all. For even though it seems to him that from such a fall it is impossible to ascend, Heaven forbid — even so there is such a kindness with Hashem Yisburach that even from there one can ascend. And so too — even if, Heaven forbid, he has fallen many more times without measure — even so, every single movement in which he wishes to lift himself every time to ascend from his fall — is never lost forever. However things may be. For Hashem Yisburach and His Torah are without end and without limit. And the essential strengthening is through the power of this Tzadik — who has attained that just as there is no ascent forever according to His greatness Yisburach — for "high above the high, etc., and higher above them" [Ecclesiastes 5:7], etc. — so too there is no descent forever from which one cannot ascend. For the higher the Tzadik ascends to a loftier level — the more he attains the kindnesses of Hashem — and this is the essential greatness of Hashem Yisburach. And therefore the Tzadik — who never stands still — and ascends every time more and more — and attains every time more the greatness of Hashem Yisburach, namely the greatness of His kindnesses — through this he merits to attain that there is no descent and fall in the world — and there is no despair in the world at all.

For he attains every time such kindnesses — which are the essential greatness of the Creator — through which everything can ascend. Therefore one needs specifically a Tzadik of the most lofty stature — for the greater the patient, the greater the doctor he needs. For the greater the Tzadik — the more he is able to elevate even those who have fallen greatly. Until through the power of the great Tzadik there is no fall or descent from which one cannot ascend through his power — if one merits to believe and to draw close to him. And to hold the Tree of Life — which ascends to the very heights of the lofty heights — above and above. The aspect of the spirit of Moshiach — most lofty of the lofty — called the Ra'aya Mehemna (the faithful shepherd). The true Tzadik is the Ra'aya Mehemna — and he is the collective of the seven shepherds — (who are the collective of all the leaders of the generation).

And he is called Ra'aya Mehemna — and he is the shepherd of faith — to repair it and to complete it. And the essential faith of Israel — he draws it down to the generation. And it is impossible to come to this Tzadik except through boldness — as our Sages said: "Be bold as a leopard" [Ethics of Our Fathers 5:20]. As it is written: "You have led with Your strength to Your holy abode" [Exodus 15:13] — meaning through boldness one enters into holiness. For there are shepherds of the Sitra Achra — and they are the false famous ones of the generation — and apes. And the essential source of their dominion is through boldness — and they are like dogs in their brazenness — in the aspect of "and the dogs — brazen of soul, they are the shepherds" [Isaiah 56:11]. And "the face of the generation is like the face of a dog." And therefore, in order to be saved from them and from under their dominion — it is impossible except through boldness — to stand against their brazenness. And then one enters into holiness.