אות-ח

The Tzadikim are the Chariot [merkavah] of the Omnipresent. And likewise each person of Israel, according to the tikun of his teshuvah — so does he merit to complete the aspect of the Merkavah, as it is written: "And your people are all righteous" [Isaiah 60:21]. Only one needs great and powerful strengthening in whatever passes over him. For before one merits the aspect of the Merkavah there is a stormy wind and a great cloud and a flaming fire, etc. — which are the aspects of the general k'lipos and sitra achra from which all the obstacles and desires come, and humiliations and insults from those who dispute him. And when he strengthens himself against all this in the aspect of the proficiency mentioned above — bakki b'ayeil, bakki b'nafik — he then merits complete teshuvah and to be included among the Tzadikim who are the Merkavah of the Omnipresent. And since the beginning of teshuvah is through hearing one's shame and keeping silent — through this the blood of the left chamber of the heart is subdued, which is the aspect of the mitzvah of milah [circumcision] — therefore the beginning of the holiness of the Merkavah is from the aspect of chashmal which consists of the letters chash mal [silent speech], namely: through the silence of keeping silent about one's shame — through this the blood is subdued in the aspect of the mitzvah of milah, and through this one merits complete teshuvah and to attain the aspect of the Merkavah. The essential heroism is in the heart — for one whose heart is strong fears no person and no thing, and can perform awesome acts of heroism and win powerful battles through the strength and courage of his heart, which does not fear, and runs into the fray of intense battle. And likewise is it precisely in the service of Hashem — understand this well. (ibid., Ois 249)