תּוֹרָה יח

The primary service is only complete simplicity and wholeness — without any wisdom or inquiry. And this is the primary true purpose. And in truth it is a great prohibition to be a philosophical inquirer — G-d forbid — and to study books of wisdom. Only the very great Tzadik can enter this — to study the seven wisdoms (see Likutay Moharan, Part One, §64). For there is a stumbling-block in each wisdom — which is the aspect of Amalek. For Amalek was a philosopher and inquirer — and denied the fundamental. And through this stumbling-block one can fall — G-d forbid. But the very great Tzadik who is the aspect of Moshe our Teacher — when he enters these seven wisdoms — he holds himself and remains standing through faith — in the aspect of: ""the righteous shall live by his faith"" [Habbakuk 2:4]. For: ""the righteous man falls seven times and rises again"" [Proverbs 24:16] — that is — the great Tzadik goes through these seven wisdoms. And even though one can slip and fall there through the stumbling-block — the aspect of Amalek. But one rises through faith as above. And this: "sheva yipol tzaddik vaCam" — the final letters spell "Amalek" — which is the stumbling-block of the seven wisdoms — through which one can fall — G-d forbid. And the Tzadik stands and rises and holds oneself through faith. But ordinary people — it is a great prohibition for them to enter the books of the inquirers. And even books of Israel that speak of inquiry — it is forbidden to look at them at all. For they greatly harm and blemish the holy faith — which is the foundation of everything. And praise to G-d — there are now very many holy books filled with rebuke and fear of Hashem — without any inquiry. Which are not founded on the knowledge of the Greek sages — may their name be erased. Rather their foundation is in the holy mountains — on the words of our Sages of blessed memory in the Talmud and Midrashim. And especially those founded on the words of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai and his companions. Turn in them and turn in them — in them specifically — and not in the books in which the knowledge of the wicked heretics who deny the fundamental is mixed — for they are the aspect of Amalek. Quickly flee for your soul from them and from their multitude. And your soul will be to you as a spoil — for eternal life and for worlds without end and forever.