Tinyana

Tinyana Further Regarding Hisbodidus He further said regarding hisbodidus [secluded prayer], that it was his way, of blessed memory, to greatly encourage this, to be very accustomed to hisbodidus, to express his conversation before Hashem [G-d] every single day. And he said: Even when one cannot speak at all, even when one speaks only one word, this is also very good. And he said: Even if one cannot speak but one word, he should be strong in his mind and speak that word many, many times without measure or limit. And even if he spends many, many days on this word alone, this is also good. And he should be strong and steadfast and increase in speaking that word countless times until Hashem has mercy on him and opens his mouth, and he can express his conversation. And he said: The word has very great power, for behold, one can whisper over a burning reed so that it cannot shoot [ignite]. And understand. And then, when spoke of this, he spoke much about hisbodidus and elaborated greatly with wondrous conversation in many types of expressions. And he strengthened us and encouraged us very, very much in this to be strong and increase in hisbodidus and conversation between himself and his Creator. And he said that his desire is that our entire day be hisbodidus and to spend the entire day on this. But not every person can fulfill this, therefore he must command them to have at least some hour of hisbodidus, for this is also very good. But one whose heart is strong in this and desires to accept upon himself the service of Hashem in truth, his desire is that his entire day be hisbodidus. "Would that a person

pray all day long" [ Berachos 21a].