אות-ג

Hashem, may He be blessed, and His Torah, are infinite without end. And just as there is no ascent in the world commensurate with His greatness — for "He is high above the high," etc. — so too there is no descent in the world, for in every descent, G-d forbid, there is an even worse descent. And since there is a descent worse than this one, G-d forbid, one must strengthen oneself not to fall further, G-d forbid. And the essential strengthening is through the power of the great Tzadikim, who never stood still on a single level but rose further each time — and even when they reached the highest of high levels, even a supremely exalted and awesome level, they did not suffice themselves with this and said: "Behold, Hashem, may He be blessed, is infinite — and who knows what more can be attained in this world!" Therefore they begin anew each time, until they truly arrive each time at an even higher level, and so always. Therefore through the power of these Tzadikim there is hope for all who have fallen, and there is no despair in the world at all. For even if it seems to him that from such a fall it is impossible to rise, G-d forbid — nevertheless who knows the greatness of Hashem's mercies? For there is such a chesed [lovingkindness] with Him that even from there one can rise. And every single cry that one cries — even from the lowest depths — is never lost, however things may be afterward. For those Tzadikim attain the knowledge that just as there is no ascent in the world, so there is no descent in the world from which one cannot rise, and in truth all is one. For the more the Tzadik ascends to a higher level and attains more of Hashem's greatness, he attains more of Hashem's mercies — which is the essence of Hashem's greatness, for the attribute of chesed is called "greatness" [gedulah] as is known. And therefore those Tzadikim who each time attain more of Hashem's greatness — that is, the greatness of His mercies — through this they attain the knowledge that there is no fall and no despair in the world, for they attain each time such chasadim [acts of loving-kindness] that are the essence of the greatness of the Creator. And through this, all can rise. Therefore truly even those of very little stature, and even if they have fallen into complete wickedness, G-d forbid — nonetheless as long as the soul is within them, as long as they can still move a single limb, they must extend their patience and await salvation always, and strengthen themselves to begin anew each time with all they can — however things may be. For no holy movement, no sigh or cry or holy longing, etc., is ever lost: "For Hashem will not abandon forever" [Lamentations 3:31], for His mercies and kindnesses are without limit and end, as mentioned above. (ibid., Ois 9) Another remedy for this: that he rejoice and delight in his good point — in the fact that he has merited to be of the seed of Israel and to draw close to the true men who lead and guide him on the path of truth. Through this, however things are, he has wonderful hope forever. And through this joy he shatters the k'lipos — which are the obstacles, etc. — at each level. (ibid.) Regarding those people who draw close to the service of Hashem, may He be blessed, and afterward distance themselves — nonetheless even the proximity that was momentary is precious in the eyes of Hashem, may He be blessed, even if afterward what happened happened, G-d forbid. (ibid., Ois 123)