אות-א

Even in the very lowest levels, the light of Ayn Sof [the Infinite One], may He be blessed, shines — as is explained in the holy writings — only it is in great concealment and many garments. But whoever wishes to attach himself to Hashem, may He be blessed, can attach himself from whatever place he is. About this it is said: "Fortunate is the man who will not forget You, and a human being who will strengthen himself in You" [Selichos liturgy] — for great fortitude and strengthening are needed for this. And whoever is on a very low level must strengthen and fortify himself all the more, for even in the very force of darkness, in the valley of the shadow of death, one can draw upon oneself the light of the Ayn Sof by closing one's eyes and annulling oneself for some time to Him, may He be blessed. About this it is said: "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me" [Psalms 23:4], and it is written: "For though I sit in darkness, Hashem is my light" [Micah 7:8]. (Halachos of Morning Handwashing, Halacha 4, Ois 1) The essence of the greatness of the Holy One, blessed be He, is that even those who are very, very far from Him, may He be blessed, will also draw close to His service — and through this His Name, may He be blessed, is glorified and exalted above and below. Therefore a person should not despair of drawing close to the service of Hashem merely because he has distanced himself greatly from Hashem through his many sins, even if he has done much evil, G-d forbid. For on the contrary — specifically from him will His glory, may He be blessed, be exalted and praised and magnified all the more, as mentioned above. But the essential drawing near of the distant ones to Hashem, may He be blessed, is through the Tzadikim [righteous] of the generation. (ibid., Ois 10) A person must strengthen himself in the service of Hashem in every way he can, even as he is — and rely upon His mercies, may He be blessed, which are very, very great, without measure. For He will certainly not abandon him, even if he has transgressed whatever he has transgressed. The past is naught; the essential thing is from now onward — not to do again what was done — and to be in a state of "sit and do nothing" at all events, both in deed and in thought. For even the thoughts of such people are also considered an act — for even in the World of Action there is thought. He must be in a state of "sit and do nothing" in deed and in thought, as mentioned above. And whatever happens to him of itself — he need not be concerned with it and not look at it at all. And know, that it is inevitable that all that is mentioned above will pass over him — for this is the essence of complete teshuvah: when a person passes through these very same places and aspects in which he previously was, and now he turns his back on them and subdues his inclination so as not to do again what he had done, whether in deed or in thought, as mentioned above. This is the essence of complete teshuvah. (ibid.)