ערך דעת

The essential distancing from the Tzadik and from the holy Torah is only through pride and arrogance of spirit. And likewise the reverse — the essential receiving of Torah and the drawing of Torah from generation to generation forever is through humility and lowliness — through which one is encompassed in perfection within the aspect of "the place of the world" [mekomo shel olam], etc. — see the inner teachings. Through rising at chatzos [midnight] to engage in Torah — through this da'as [awareness/knowledge] is drawn down. That is, one merits to know with complete knowledge and with a full heart that "the whole earth is full of His glory" [Isaiah 6:3] — and to fulfill: "I have set G-d before me always" [Psalms 16:8] — and to pray with intention [kavanah].

The essential of da'as is to know with complete knowledge that G-d, blessed be He, created everything and guides the entire world solely through His will and His Providence — and that there is no compulsion of nature whatsoever. For nature itself also conducts itself through His blessed Providence.

The essential source of all afflictions and all exiles — G-d protect us — is through the deficiency of da'as. For everyone walks in the world like a truly wayward madman, as it is written: "And he went wayward in the way of his heart" [Isaiah 57:17]. And for this the prophet cried out: "Return, O wayward children" [Jeremiah 3:22]. And when a person understands within himself all of this — how he is truly wayward and maddened, for he goes after the stubbornness of his heart and does not look at his eternal purpose — he will certainly have consideration for himself and cry out at least greatly to G-d. And through this he will merit, according to his level, to beget da'as and the moichin [expanded consciousness] and to bring them forth from their hiddenness. And through this comes the essential redemption — in general and in particular, for every person and at every time. And through this came the redemption from Egypt. And therefore during the Torah portions that speak of the exile in Egypt and the redemption, it is the custom of the upright to fast and to cry out to G-d in prayers and supplications [selichos] — and these weeks are called Shovovim [the wayward ones, an acronym of the six parshiyos].

All the damages, G-d forbid, come through the blemish of da'as — that is, through introducing alien thoughts and external wisdoms into one's mind and awareness [moach u'da'as]. And from there the husks of Eisav and Yishmo'el draw nourishment — they being the damagers of the world [mazikei alma] — and from them come all the damages in the world, G-d protect us, as explained in the inner teachings.

All the damages, G-d forbid, come through the blemish of da'as — that is, through introducing alien thoughts and external wisdoms into one's mind and awareness [moach u'da'as]. And from there the husks of Eisav and Yishmo'el draw nourishment — they being the damagers of the world [mazikei alma] — and from them come all the damages in the world, G-d protect us, as explained in the inner teachings.