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Reader Otzar HaYirah Hisbodidus and Yishuv HaDa'as
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Hisbodidus and Yishuv HaDa'as

Hisbodidus and Yishuv HaDa'as

אוצר היראה - Otzar HaYirah

1

תְּפִלִּין הֵם עִקַּר הַדְּבֵקוּת לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, כִּי הֵם בְּחִינַת אוֹר הַזְּרִיחָה שֶׁל הָרְשִׁימָה, מִן הַבִּטּוּל אֶל אוֹר הָאֵין סוֹף, שֶׁמֵּאִיר עַל הָאָדָם בְּכָל יוֹם לְכָל אֶחָד כְּפִי מַדְרֵגָתוֹ. כִּי יֵשׁ בְּעִנְיָן זֶה אֲלָפִים וְרִבְבוֹת מַדְרֵגוֹת בֵּין כָּל אָדָם וְאָדָם, וַאֲפִלּוּ בְּאָדָם אֶחָד יֵשׁ כַּמָּה שִׁנּוּיִים בֵּין כָּל זְמַן וְעֵת. אַךְ אַף עַל פִּי כֵן כָּל אֶחָד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, זוֹכֶה לְקַבֵּל בְּכָל יוֹם הִתְנוֹצְצוּת וּרְשִׁימָה מֵאוֹר הַזְּרִיחָה הַזֹּאת, שֶׁזֶּה בְּחִינַת תְּפִלִּין. אַךְ מֵחֲמַת שֶׁצְּרִיכִין לְתַקֵּן תְּחִלָּה הַכֵּלִים שֶׁל הַמֹּחִין, כְּדֵי שֶׁיּוּכְלוּ לְקַבֵּל הַזְּרִיחָה שֶׁל הָרְשִׁימָה הַזֹּאת, וּלְקַשְּׁרָהּ הֵיטֵב בְּהַמֹּחִין וּלְזָכְרָהּ תָּמִיד, וְזֶה נַעֲשָׂה עַל־יְדֵי מִצְוַת צִיצִת, וְעַל־כֵּן צִיצִת קוֹדֶם לַתְּפִלִּין (הלכות נטילת ידים שחרית הלכה ד אות ט).

1

The essential faculty of the Mochin [higher consciousness/mentality] of the Tefillin [phylacteries] — which embody the dimension of D'veykus [attachment/cleaving to G-d] — is the dimension of prayer and Hisbodidus [personal secluded dialogue with G-d]. For the very essence of D'veykus is prayer, and it is for this reason that the Tefillin are called "Tefillin" — a word rooted in Tefillah [prayer], as expressed in the verse: "Naftulai Elokim niftalti" [Beraishis 30:8], and Rashi explains: it is from the language of "ikaish u'fsaltol" — "I wrestled and entreated with many wrestlings and twistings before the Omnipresent to be made equal with my sister; 'Gam yachol'ti — and I prevailed." And in this dimension, one must multiply greatly — exceedingly and immeasurably — one's prayer and Hisbodidus every single day of one's life, for this is the very heart of it. And one must be a great Akshan [stubborn perseverer] in this, enormously so — even though it seems to him that his words are accomplishing nothing whatsoever, that he is very far from where his words should be taking him, and that for days and years he has been engaged in this and has yet achieved nothing at all. Even so, he must be an Akshan in this — like a true, literal stubborn person who does the thing without any rationale whatsoever. So too must one have tremendous stubbornness in all Avodas Hashem [Divine service], in every act and counsel. But above all, stubbornness is most essential in prayer and supplication, and most essentially in the conversations of Hisbodidus — for one must greatly strengthen oneself to multiply Hisbodidus and private conversation between oneself and one's Creator, even if it proceeds in a crooked and convoluted manner, many times without any taste or fragrance — for "He has not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the poor man" [Tehillim 22:25], even though that [affliction] might seem worthy of contempt and rejection; even so, Hashem, blessed be He, is always full of mercy. And see in the holy Zohar, where it speaks at great length about the immense preciousness of the prayer of a poor person. All of this applies even to an ordinary impoverished person praying about his material needs, his straits, and his poverty — how much more so, vastly more so, when a person begins to take pity upon himself and feels his poverty and dire need in the realm of good deeds, and makes his plea before Hashem blessed be He and supplicates before Him to draw him close to His service, and pours out his heart before Him in weeping and supplication — how precious beyond all measure is such a prayer in the eyes of Hashem blessed be He, more than all the prayers in the world! And even though he has been praying and engaging in Hisbodidus for some time and it seems to him that he has accomplished nothing at all — even so, not a single word is lost; all of them are counted, tallied, and hidden away in His treasuries, blessed be He. And furthermore, it is altogether impossible for a person in this physical world to know whether he has accomplished anything in his Divine service or not; and even if he has accomplished nothing throughout all the days of his life save but a single hairsbreadth — even that is more precious than all the life of this world. And therefore one must strengthen oneself in this immeasurably. When one is strong, as described, in the dimension of "Naftulai Elokim niftalti," then ultimately, certainly, he will merit to accomplish his request and to draw near to Hashem blessed be He truly, and to be equal with his worthy and righteous brothers.

2

תְּפִלִּין הֵם בְּחִינַת תִּקּוּן הַבְּרִית וְתִקּוּן הַמֹּחִין וְהַדַּעַת וְתִקּוּן הַדִּבּוּר (תפילין הלכה א).

2

When a person pleads and converses and pours out his heart before Hashem blessed be He, and reveals his mind and will — that he truly, deeply desires to fulfill His blessed will, and what can he do? — S'or sheba'isa [the yeast in the dough, i.e., the Evil Inclination] stands in the way. As the Tanna [Mishnaic sage] declares: "It is revealed and known before You that it is my will to do Your will — and what prevents me? The yeast in the dough, etc." — and he beseeches and supplicates before Him blessed be He to merit to nullify and subdue the Evil Inclination, which is the yeast in the dough — through this [very act], one adds strength and courage to the Tzaddik HaEmes [the True Righteous One], who is always engaged in nullifying the yeast in the dough through the supernal Pidyon [redemption/release] drawn from the Metzach haRatzon haElyon [the forehead of the Supernal Will], through which he converts converts [geirim] and draws the distant near, elevating them from apostasy to [Divine] favor. And through the conversation between oneself and one's Creator as described above, one thereby merits a strengthening of the will, and draws upon oneself also the illumination of the Metzach haRatzon — the Forehead of [Supernal] Will — to nullify the yeast in the dough. And if one is very strong in this, then certainly, ultimately, all will be turned to good through the power of the Tzaddik who is engaged in the comprehensive supernal Pidyon as described, for there everything is repaired.

3

עַל־יְדֵי אוֹר הַתְּפִלִּין שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת אוֹר הַנְּקֻדָּה הַקְּדוֹשָׁה (בְּחִינַת אוֹר הַחֶסֶד הַנִּשְׁאָר בַּיְסוֹד דַּאֲצִילוּת כַּמְּבֹאָר בִּפְנִים), עַל יְדֵי זֶה נִתְתַקֵּן בְּחִינַת שְׁבִירַת כֵּלִים, וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה זוֹכִין לְבַטֵּל כָּל הָאַהֲבוֹת הַנְּפוּלוֹת וְהַשְּׁבוּרוֹת הַשּׁוֹרִין עַל הַלֵּב, וּלְשַׁעְבֵּד תַּאֲווֹת וּמַחְשְׁבוֹת לִבֵּנוּ לַעֲבוֹדָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ שְׁמוֹ (שם הלכה ב).

3

The Hisbodidus must reach the point where one nullifies oneself entirely to Hashem blessed be He — nullifying all one's desires into the will of Hashem blessed be He. This is the dimension of Mishpat [judgment/self-reckoning], in which a person must judge himself and settle himself on every matter — whether this is how he ought to spend his days, etc. And the essential element of Hisbodidus and personal conversation must consist in strengthening one's good desires toward Hashem blessed be He, removing one's mind from all the vanities of the world, and nullifying one's will unto Him, blessed be He — until from all four corners of the world where his mind had been scattered, he returns from all of them to the "Dalet" of "Echad" [the letter Dalet of the word Echad—One], to be included in His unity and will, blessed be He. And in most cases, during Hisbodidus and Yishuv HaDa'as [settling of the mind], a person sees within himself that he has no place in all four corners of the world to flee and hide from the blows of the world — in physical and spiritual matters, in body, soul, and money — in the dimension of "Where shall I go from Your spirit, etc." [Tehillim 139:7]; until he sees that he has no escape but to return to Him blessed be He alone, in the dimension of "For from You I fled, and to You I returned." For Hashem blessed be He is present at all times for all who call upon Him, even if they have gone astray as they have, for His mercies are never exhausted. And whoever merits to be strong in this — that his will remains always firm toward the truth, and does not release the good will even when something passes over him — certainly, ultimately, his end will be good. And those who are habituated to Hisbodidus are protected from every oppressor, enemy, and Mastin [adversarial force], for they constantly hide themselves in the shadow of His wings, blessed be He — and who would dare draw near to Hashem blessed be He to trouble one who is hiding with Him? In the dimension of "For You, Hashem, are my refuge" [Tehillim 91:9]. And this is the dimension of: "And Yisrael shall dwell in safety, alone, etc." [Devarim 33:28], the dimension of "For You, Hashem, alone — in safety shall You seat me" [Tehillim 4:9] — that through Hisbodidus one dwells in safety.

4

מְבֹאָר בְּכַוָּנַת הָאֲרִ"י זַ"ל, שֶׁיֵּשׁ שְׁלשָׁה מִינֵי תְּפִלִּין, וְהֵם תְּפִלִּין שֶׁל רֹאשׁ, וְקֶשֶׁר שֶׁל ד' וּתְפִלִּין שֶׁל יָד. וְהֵם נֶגֶד הַשְּׁלשָׁה בְּחִינוֹת נְקֻדּוֹת. תְּפִלִּין שֶׁל רֹאשׁ, הֵם נֶגֶד נְקֻדָּה הַכְּלָלִיּוּת שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק הַדּוֹר. וְקֶשֶׁר שֶׁל ד', הוּא נֶגֶד הַנְּקֻדָּה שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְקַבֵּל כָּל אֶחָד מֵחֲבֵרוֹ. וּתְפִלִּין שֶׁל יָד, הֵם נֶגֶד הַנְּקֻדָּה שֶׁצָּרִיךְ כָּל אֶחָד לְקַבֵּל מִנֵּיהּ וּבֵיהּ, עַל־יְדֵי שֶׁיְּדַבֵּר בְּהִתְעוֹרְרוּת גָּדוֹל בֵּינוֹ לְבֵין קוֹנוֹ, עַד שֶׁיְעוֹרֵר אוֹר נְקֻדָּתוֹ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה (שם ז).

4

When one comes to lay out his personal conversation before Hashem blessed be He but cannot open his mouth at all — even so, he must strengthen himself to beseech mercy for this very thing itself: that he be helped from Above and his strength be fortified so that he will be capable of beseeching mercy.

5

תְּפִלִּין הֵם בְּחִינַת יִרְאָה וּבְחִינַת מֹחִין וְדַעַת. הַיְנוּ שֶׁזּוֹכִין לְהַעֲלוֹת הַיִּרְאָה לְשָׁרְשָׁהּ שֶׁבַּדַּעַת, לְיִרְאָה אֶת ה' יִרְאַת הָרוֹמֵמוּת, וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה זוֹכִין לְתוֹרָה וְלִתְפִלָּה. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת קְרִיאַת שְׁמַע וּתְפִלָּה שֶׁמִּתְפַּלְּלִין בִּתְפִלִּין, וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה זוֹכִין לְתוֹרָה שֶׁבַּנִּסְתָּר, שֶׁהוּא בְּחִינַת אוֹר הַגָּנוּז. וְעִקַּר אוֹר הַתְּפִלִּין, זוֹכִין עַל־יְדֵי שֶׁקָּמִים בַּחֲצוֹת וּמִתְאַבְּלִין עַל חֻרְבַּן בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, וְאַחַר כָּךְ עוֹסְקִין בַּתּוֹרָה (עין חצות אות יב; שם הלכה ג).

5

Through the recitation of Tehillim [Psalms] and personal conversation between oneself and one's Creator, one can thereby lay out one's personal discourse on everything and beseech Hashem blessed be He regarding this very thing itself — that we be able to ask: "Return us, Hashem, to You in truth!" — until this very act comes to be counted as an awakening on our part in the dimension of Is'arusa dil'sata [an awakening from below], and through this a great illumination for Teshuvah [repentance/return] is drawn upon us from Above as well, in the dimension of "Return to Me and I shall return to you" [Malachi 3:7]. Furthermore, through this one merits to receive an illumination from the holy and perfect counsels that are drawn from the sparkling of Mashiach, which is the dimension of the illumination of the Sha'ar HaChamishim [the Fiftieth Gate] of holiness — through which one can ascend from all the falls and descents in the world, and be saved from the desires and anxieties of money and livelihood, and know and truly believe that livelihood is drawn only from Him blessed be He, and to strengthen oneself in true trust in Hashem blessed be He.

6

תְּפִלִּין הֵם בְּחִינַת תִּקּוּן הַמֹּחִין בְּחִינַת רְעָמִים הַמְבֹאָר בִּפְנִים, שֶׁעַל יְדֵי זֶה נִתְפַּשֵּׁט עַקְמִימוּת שֶׁבַּלֵּב, וְעַל־כֵּן הֵם כְּנֶגֶד הַלֵּב. וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה זוֹכִין לְשִׂמְחָה בְּחִינַת וּלְיִשְׁרֵי לֵב שִׂמְחָה (שם הלכה ד).

6

The virtue of holy speech — meaning the words of Hisbodidus, etc. — see [the entry] 'Dibbur' [Speech], Letter Dalet.

7

תְּפִלִּין הֵם שֵׂכֶל עֶלְיוֹן וְגָבֹהַּ מְאֹד בְּחִינַת מַקִּיפִים, שֶׁזֶּה בְּחִינַת הַשֵּׂכֶל שֶׁל הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בֵּין הַצַּדִּיקֵי אֱמֶת, שֶׁהוּא בְּחִינַת אֵלּוּ וְאֵלּוּ דִּבְרֵי אֱלֹקִים חַיִּים, שֶׁאִי אֶפְשָׁר לְהַשִּׂיג זֶה הַשֵּׂכֶל, רַק עַל־יְדֵי תִּקּוּן הַמֹּחִין שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין, זוֹכִין לִבְלִי לִשְׁמֹעַ כְּלָל הַמְּרִיבוֹת וְהַמַּחֲלֹקוֹת שֶׁבֵּין הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, רַק לֵידַע וּלְהַאֲמִין כִּי אֵלּוּ וָאֵלּוּ דִּבְרֵי אֱלֹקִים חַיִּים. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת ש' שֶׁל שְׁלשָׁה רָאשִׁין וְש' שֶׁל אַרְבָּעָה רָאשִׁין, כַּמְּבֹאָר בִּפְנִים (שם).

7

Through Hisbodidus and prayer — cleaving to Hashem blessed be He at a time when the matter is concealed from him, and praying to attain it and to ascend to that level — through this one merits to strengthen oneself in joy and to prevail with the great Azus d'Kedushah [holy boldness/impudence] until the Azus d'Sitra Achra [the boldness of the Other Side] is broken — which is the dimension of the bodily boldness in its lusts, which asserts itself every time one wishes to go forth and ascend from level to level; and this is itself the very essence of the descent that precedes the ascent. And through the above, one merits to transform the descent into an ascent, and merits to attain what had been heard but was concealed — that which he had prayed for — and to receive the comprehension and illumination that the soul and the Tzaddik shine upon him, which is itself the attainment of what had been heard and concealed as described. And then that concealed dimension is called by the name "revealed" and it becomes actualized; and then one returns and prays and prostrates oneself before Hashem blessed be He, and multiplies conversation and Hisbodidus, that Hashem blessed be He guide him to the yet higher dimension of what is heard and concealed — which is also now still concealed from him. And through this he merits yet more to strengthen himself in joy and in Azus d'Kedushah as described, until he attains the higher level of what is heard and concealed — and so on, from level to level, from world to world.

8

תְּפִלִּין נִכְתָּבִין עַל עוֹר בְּהֵמָה, זֶה בְּחִינַת בְּנֵי אָדָם שֶׁעֲרוּמִים בְּדַעַת כְּאָדָם וּמְשִׂימִין עַצְמָן כִּבְהֵמָה, שֶׁצְּרִיכִין לָשׂוּם עַצְמוֹ כִּבְהֵמָה לְסַלֵּק דַּעְתּוֹ לְגַמְרֵי כְּאִלּוּ אֵין לוֹ שׁוּם דַּעַת כְּלָל, וְלִסְמֹךְ רַק עַל אֱמוּנָה, וַאֲזַי נִזְדַּכֵּךְ מֹחוֹ עַל־יְדֵי זֶה וְנִתְפַּשֵּׁט עַקְמִימוּת שֶׁבְּלִבּוֹ. כִּי כְּשֶׁרוֹאֶה אָדָם שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ עַקְמִימוּת בְּלִבּוֹ, בִּפְרָט כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ חַס־ וְשָׁלוֹם עַקְמִימוּת הַרְבֵּה בְּלִבּוֹ, אֲזַי הוּא צָרִיךְ לְסַלֵּק דַּעְתּוֹ לְגַמְרֵי כְּאִלּוּ אֵין לוֹ שׁוּם דַּעַת כְּלָל, וְיֵלֵךְ רַק בִּתְמִימוּת וּפְשִׁיטוּת לְבַד, וַאֲזַי זוֹכֶה אַחַר־כָּךְ לְדַעַת גָּדוֹל מְאֹד וּלְפַשֵּׁט עַקְמִימוּת שֶׁבְּלִבּוֹ, שֶׁכָּלשׂזֶה בְּחִינַת תְּפִלִּין (שם אות ו).

8

Through Hisbodidus and conversation between oneself and one's Creator — through this, one connects the Nekudah [the inner point of holiness] to the heart, through which all evil loves and all the shames that dwell upon the heart are nullified by the light of the holy love that abides with the Nekudah; and through this, the Sh'viras Kailim [the Breaking of the [Kabbalistic] Vessels] of Chessed [lovingkindness] that fell into Binah d'Vri'ah [the supernal Understanding of the World of Creation] is repaired. And when one merits this, one can then extend the illumination of the holy Nekudah also to all the other worlds and to all the lower levels — to announce and illuminate in them all the truth of His blessed Divinity and the holiness of His holy Torah, and to raise up all the Nitzutzos [Divine sparks] that fell there through our iniquities, which cause yet further aspects of the Breaking of Vessels — may the Merciful One save us. For now the Breaking is repaired through the light of the Nekudah that was connected to the heart through our conversation and prayer as described.

9

עַל־יְדֵי תְּפִלִּין מַמְשִׁיכִין בְּחִינַת קְדֻשַּׁת שַׁבָּת לְתוֹךְ שֵׁשֶׁת יְמֵי הַמַּעֲשֶׂה, וְזוֹכִין לְהַרְגִּישׁ תַּעֲנוּג עוֹלָם הַבָּא שֶׁל שְׂכַר קִיּוּם הַמִּצְווֹת בִּשְׁעַת עֲשִׂיַּת הַמִּצְוֹת, וְעוֹשֶׂה הַמִּצְוָה בְּשִׂמְחָה גְּדוֹלָה כָּל כָּךְ, עַד שֶׁאֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה בְּשׁוּם שְׂכַר עוֹלָם הַבָּא בִּשְׁבִילָם, כִּי כָּל־כָּךְ הוּא מִתְעַנֵּג בַּעֲשִׂיַּת הַמִּצְוֹת בְּעַצְמָם (שם אות ז).

9

The matter of the virtue of Hisbodidus and holy speech, and that upon it depends all victory in the battle — see [the entry] 'Dibbur,' Letters Vav–Zayin.

10

תְּפִלִּין הֵם בְּחִינַת זִכָּרוֹן, כִּי תְּפִלִּין הֵם מֹחִין דְּגַדְלוּת, שֶׁזֶּהוּ בְּחִינַת זִכָּרוֹן דִּקְדֻשָּׁה. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת תְּפִלִּין שֶׁל יָד וְשֶׁל רֹאשׁ, שֶׁיֵּשׁ בָּהֶם שְׁמוֹנֶה פַּרְשִׁיּוֹת כְּנֶגֶד הַשְּׁמוֹנָה זְקֵנִים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים הַמְבֹאָר בְּהַמַּעֲשֶׂה שֶׁל הַשִּׁבְעָה בֶּעטְלִירְס, שֶׁכָּל אֶחָד הִתְפָּאֵר בַּזִּכָּרוֹן הַקָּדוֹשׁ שֶׁלּוֹ כַּמְּבֹאָר בִּפְנִים. וְעִקַּר קְדֻשַּׁת הַמֹּחִין שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין מַמְשִׁיכִין מֵהַזָּקֵן הַגָּדוֹל וְהָעֶלְיוֹן עַל כֻּלָּם, כִּי כָּל אֵלּוּ הַזְּקֵנִים מְקַבְּלִין קְדֻשַּׁת הַזִּכָּרוֹן מִמֶּנוּ, אֲבָל קְדֻשַּׁת הַמֹּחִין וְהַזִּכָּרוֹן שֶׁלּוֹ הֵם גְּבוֹהִים כָּל כָּךְ, עַד שֶׁאֵינָם יְכוֹלִים לְהִתְלַבֵּשׁ אֲפִלּוּ בַּפַּרְשִׁיּוֹת שֶׁבַּתְּפִלִּין, כִּי הוּא גָּבֹהַּ מֵהַכֹּל וְשֹׁרֶשׁ הַכֹּל, וְהַמֹּחַ וְזִכָּרוֹן שֶׁלּוֹ נִכְלָל בְּאֵין סוֹף, וּמִמֶּנּוּ נִמְשָׁכִין קְדֻשַּׁת כָּל הַמֹּחִין שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין. וּמֵחֲמַת שֶׁהַזָּקֵן הַגָּדוֹל הַנַּ"ל הִתְפָּאֵר בַּחַיִּים אֲרֻכִּים שֶׁלּוֹ, עַל־כֵּן אָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זַ"ל: הַמַּנִּיחַ תְּפִלִּין זוֹכֶה לְחַיִּים. וְגַם הַזָּקֵן הַנַּ"ל נִרְאֶה כְּעִוֵּר, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁלֹּא הָיָה לוֹ שׁוּם הִסְתַּכְּלוּת בָּעוֹלָם, כִּי כָּל הַזְּמַן שֶׁל הָעוֹלָם אֵינוֹ עוֹלֶה אֶצְלוֹ כְּהֶרֶף עַיִן. וְעַל־כֵּן מְקוֹם הַתְּפִלִּין בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ דַּיְקָא (שם הלכה ה).

10

Sometimes darkness and the absence of Da'as [higher awareness] overwhelm a person to such a degree that he is in the dimension of the absence of speech — the dimension of a "mute dove" [see Tehillim 56:1] — unable to open his mouth at all to pray, to practice Hisbodidus, or to lay out his conversation as befits him, in the dimension of "I was struck dumb, I opened not my mouth" [Tehillim 39:10], and it is further said: "I was struck dumb in silence, etc." [ibid. 39:3]. And truly, were it not for the power of the great Tzaddikim, one would utterly despair at such a time of praying and returning to Hashem. And this is the primary repair of the true Tzaddikei Emes [true righteous ones], who are in the dimension of our father Yaakov — they arouse and strengthen us even at such times to pray and return to Hashem, and never to despair of the cry and the prayer. And they instill in the heart of Yisrael that even in the utter bitterness of the Galus [exile] — in its generality and its particularity, in physical and spiritual matters — which is the dimension of the intensity of the darkness of night — nevertheless, let every person gaze upon the point of truth within himself in its true essence, until each one strengthens himself wherever he is with strong desires and good longings for Hashem blessed be He, in the dimension of: "In the night I recalled Your Name, Hashem" [Tehillim 119:55], and in the dimension of "Upon my bed in the nights I sought the one my soul loves, etc." [Shir HaShirim 3:1] — that even in the intensity of the darkness of night we search and seek Hashem blessed be He with very strong desires — for what ultimately will become of us? And through this he will spontaneously be strengthened to open his mouth in words of prayer even then, in the dimension of "I was struck dumb in silence, I held back from good, and my pain was stirred up" [Tehillim 39:3]. And afterward, through the very fact that he yearns and longs for Hashem blessed be He even so very much, and suffers over being in a state of the absence of speech — through this: "My heart grew hot within me, etc., I spoke with my tongue" [Tehillim 39:4] — he merits thereafter to speak holy words with great warmth of holiness, inasmuch as the words came forth through good desires and great longings for Hashem blessed be He. And in truth this is the very foundation of the perfection of prayer always: this is the essential counsel for prayer and conversation and Hisbodidus — that the matter not lie upon him as an obligation, as one who must discharge a duty. This is the dimension of: "Do not make your prayer a fixed matter, but rather [let it be] mercy and supplication" [Avos 2:13] — that one first arouse one's heart with very good desires and longings for Hashem blessed be He, and then afterward pray and beseech truly from the depths of his heart, by his own choice and good will — not merely in the manner of a yoke and an obligation alone. Yet even so, our Sages of blessed memory instituted obligatory prayer for the masses of the people, for without it one would not pray at all. But the essential perfection of these same prayers — to pray them with mercy and supplication, not as a fixed rote matter. And therefore the daytime prayers — Shacharis [morning] and Minchah [afternoon] — which are in the daytime, that is, while there is still an illumination of the Mochin — they are therefore in the dimension of obligatory [Chova]; and Yaakov instituted the evening prayer [Arvis], meaning: to pray even in the intensity of the darkness of night, at the time of the complete withdrawal of the Mochin. And then it is impossible to institute an obligatory prayer — meaning to impose an obligation upon him to pray at that time — because he is then in the dimension of the absence of Da'as and the absence of speech and cannot open his mouth at all. Therefore, the essential repair of prayer at that time is through the dimension of the voluntary Arvit prayer — to draw upon oneself even then the illumination of truth from the light of the countenance of the true Tzaddikim, who are the dimension of Yaakov; and the light of the countenance described is the dimension of Will [Ratzon]. And through this, he will merit to strengthen himself at any rate with desires and good longings — and then his mouth will automatically be opened in holy words, and he will pour out his heart like water before Hashem, by virtue of the intensity of his will and his good longings — which is the very foundation of the perfection of prayer always.

11

עַל־יְדֵי תְּפִלִּין זוֹכִין לְחַדֵּשׁ חִיּוּתוֹ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה בְּכָל עֵת, לְהַתְחִיל בְּכָל פַּעַם מֵחָדָשׁ בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְזֶה עִקַּר הַמֹּחִין וְחַיִּים אֲרֻכִּים הַנִּמְשָׁכִין מֵהַזָּקֵן הַקָּדוֹשׁ הַנַּ"ל (יראה ועבודה ה"ה, אות ב; שם אות ה).

11

The matter of the virtue of Hisbodidus and the recitation of Tehillim and making prayers out of Toras [Torah teachings] — meaning: to pray for the fulfillment of the Torah — and that through this is the primary drawing forth of the path of Teshuvah into the world — see [the entry] 'Elul Rosh HaShanah,' Letter 53; [the entry] 'Tzaddik,' Letter 94; [the entry] 'Teshuvah,' Letter 23.

12

תְּפִלִּין הֵם בְּחִינַת מֹחִין, בְּחִינַת אוֹר הַפָּנִים, בְּחִינַת תְּלֵיסַר תִּקּוּנֵי דִּיקְנָא, בְּחִינַת אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם. כִּי עַל־יְדֵי תְּפִלִּין זוֹכִין לַאֲרִיכַת אַפַּיִם, הַיְנוּ לְהַאֲרִיךְ אַפּוֹ וְרוּחוֹ עַל כָּל דָּבָר, לְבַל תִּקְצַר רוּחוֹ מִכָּל הַמְּנִיעוֹת וְהַיִּסּוּרִין וְהַבִּלְבּוּלִים שֶׁעוֹבְרִין עָלָיו, רַק יַעֲשֶׂה אֶת שֶׁלּוֹ וְיַעֲסֹק בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, עַד שֶׁזּוֹכֶה לַעֲבֹר עֲלֵיהֶם וּלְבַטְּלָם. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת הָרְצוּעוֹת שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִמְתָּק וְנִתְבַּטֵּל בְּחִינַת רְצוּעָה בִּישָׁא לְאַלְקָאָה חַיָּיבַיָּיא, שֶׁמִּשָּׁם כָּל הַיִּסּוּרִים וְהַדִּינִים חַס־וְשָׁלוֹם, וְעַל־יְדֵי בְּחִינַת אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם הַנַּ"ל, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה עוֹבְרִין עֲלֵיהֶם וּמַמְתִּיקִין אוֹתָם, גַּם עַל־יְדֵי זֶה זוֹכִין לְקַיֵּם בַּה' אֲהַלֵּל דָּבָר בֵּאלֹהִים אֲהַלֵּל דָּבָר, הַיְנוּ לְהַכִּיר אוֹתוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ וּלְהִתְקָרֵב אֵלָיו תָּמִיד, בֵּין בְּטִיבוּ בֵּין בְּעָקוּ חַס־וְשָׁלוֹם בֵּין בַּעֲלִיָּה בֵּין בִּירִידָה, וַאֲפִלּוּ אִם יִזְכֶּה לַעֲלוֹת לְמַדְרֵגָה גְּבוֹהָה וְהַשָּׂגָה עֲצוּמָה, אַף עַל פִּי כֵן לֹא יִיעַף וְלֹא יִיגַע לְעוֹלָם, וְיַחְתֹּר לְבַקֵּשׁ עוֹד אֶת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ וּלְהַשִּׂיג עוֹד יוֹתֵר וּלְהִתְחַדֵּשׁ בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ בְּכָל פַּעַם, וְכֵן לְהֵפֶךְ בִּירִידָה חַס־וְשָׁלוֹם לֹא יִפֹּל מִשּׁוּם דָּבָר, וְיַחְתֹּר מִשָּׁם לְהִתְקָרֵב לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, בִּבְחִינַת וְאַצִּיעָה שְׁאוֹל הִנֶּךָֹּ (שם אות יא).

12

The essential element of Teshuvah [repentance/return] is in the dimension of: "Take with you words and return to Hashem" [Hoshea 14:3]. For certainly, at first glance, it seems very difficult to merit Teshuvah — for since even before sinning he had no power to stand up against the Evil Inclination, how much more so is it difficult to stand against it afterward, having already stumbled and been ensnared in what he was ensnared. Therefore the essential Teshuvah is through holy words as mentioned above — that is, to multiply the recitation of Tehillim and Hisbodidus, and most importantly, to make prayers out of the Toras — for then one can speak with his mouth at any rate and beseech Hashem blessed be He concerning all the matters of the Torah, concerning each and every Mitzvah, that he merit to fulfill it completely and to return to Him blessed be He; and especially concerning the things he has already transgressed — he should multiply his supplications that Hashem blessed be He forgive him and help him henceforth to be saved from every stumbling of iniquity, G-d forbid. And through this he will merit Teshuvah, in the dimension of "Take with you words and return to Hashem." And this is the dimension of all the Viduyim [confessions] of Yom Kippur and of all Baalei Teshuvah [those who return to G-d] — that all of this is the dimension of making prayer out of the Torah: they detail the sins, which are what they transgressed of the commandments of the Torah, and pray concerning them that Hashem blessed be He forgive them and that they be saved from further transgressions, as described — which is the dimension of making prayer out of the Torah as described.

13

עִקַּר שְׁלֵמוּת אֲרִיכַת אַפַּיִם הַנַּ"ל, הוּא שֶׁלֹּא יַקְפִּיד וְלֹא אִכְפַּת לֵיהּ שׁוּם דָּבָר אֲפִלּוּ בְּלִבּוֹ. וְעַל כֵּן רְצוּעָה אַחַת שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין שֶׁל רֹאשׁ צְרִיכָה לִהְיוֹת עַד הַלֵּב כַּנַּ"ל, וּרְצוּעָה אַחַת עַד הַטַּבּוּר, לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עָלֵינוּ קְדֻשַּׁת הַזָּקֵן הַקָּטָן בַּמַּעֲלָה שֶׁבְּכֻלָּם, שֶׁזָּכַר עַל כָּל פָּנִים חֲתִיכַת הַטַּבּוּר, וְהַלְוַאי שֶׁנִּזְכֶּה לְקַבֵּל קְדֻשָּׁתוֹ. אֲבָל קְדֻשַּׁת שְׁאָר הַמֹּחִין וְהַזִּכָּרוֹן שֶׁל שְׁאָר הַזְּקֵנִים אֵינָם מִתְגַּלִּים לַחוּץ כְּלָל, רַק כָּל אוֹרָם נֶעֱלָמִים בְּהַפַּרְשִׁיּוֹת שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין הַגְּנוּזִים בְּתוֹךְ הַבָּתִּים, וּמִשָּׁם אָנוּ מְקַבְּלִים קְדֻשָּׁתָם בְּדֶרֶךְ הַעֲלָמָה וְהֶסְתֵּר, כִּי קְדֻשַּׁת הַזִּכָּרוֹן שֶׁלָּהֶם מְאֹד נַעֲלָה מֵאִתָּנוּ, כַּמּוּבָן לַמַּשְׂכִּיל (שם אות טז). תסה

13

This path of making prayers out of Toras is being drawn now from the dimension of the sparkling of Mashiach who sparkles, coming speedily in our days — for certainly he will not delay much longer, G-d forbid. For this path of Hisbodidus, prayer, and supplication is the path that our forebears walked from of old: Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaakov; Moshe, Aharon, Yosef, David — they are the seven shepherds of Yisrael — and all the early Tzaddikim who were engaged greatly in prayer and Hisbodidus to draw near to Hashem blessed be He. But at first there was not yet Torah in the world, until Moshe Rabbeinu merited — through the multitude of his prayers, in the dimension of "A prayer of Moshe" [Tehillim 90:1] — to draw down the reception of the Torah. But afterward the Erev Rav [the Mixed Multitude] corrupted things and caused Yisrael to sin; and Moshe multiplied prayer twice forty days, until he merited that this repair was revealed to him: to make prayers out of Toras — to pray for the fulfillment of the Torah. And then Torah and prayer were included together, which is the very essence of completeness — for through this one merits Teshuvah until everything is repaired. This is the secret of how through his prayers the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy were drawn forth — which are the root of all prayer as mercy and supplication — and the Second Tablets were given to him. And from that time this path began to sparkle in the world. Until King David, peace be upon him, came — he being the seventh shepherd and the root of the soul of Mashiach — and he was engaged in this most of all: making prayers out of Toras and thereby forging an open road to Teshuvah. This is the entire matter of the Book of Tehillim that King David established, peace be upon him — for the recitation of Tehillim is a Segulah (propitious means) for Teshuvah [see: Teshuvah, Letter 23]. But the essential completion of this matter in its fullness will be in the days of Mashiach, who will merit to draw forth very great and wondrous Torah novellae — the dimension of Oraisa d'Atika Stima'ah [the Torah of the Hidden Ancient One] — and through these innovations, this path of making prayers from Toras will be drawn forth in its fullness in the world. And through this path we shall never be shamed or disgraced, for in some way we shall always return to Hashem blessed be He in truth — for whoever is strong in this path to multiply Hisbodidus and make prayers out of Toras and multiply these prayers always, however he may be, his end will certainly be good, and ultimately he will surely return to Hashem blessed be He in truth on this path. And this path is drawn from the dimension of the Final Redemption, which has no interruption — for it flows from the wellsprings of salvation, which flow on and on without ceasing, which are boundless, endless, and infinite salvations — capable of saving everyone, whoever they may be, even as they are. And through this path we will merit to fulfill the Torah in the dimension of what is said concerning the future: "And I will place My Torah within them and upon their hearts shall I write it" [Yirmiyah 31:32] — for through making prayers from Toras, which is Avodah sheba'lev [service of the heart], through this we will merit that the words of the Torah be truly written upon our hearts, and through this we shall return to Him blessed be He truly and He shall draw us near in mercy — in the dimension of "And I will be their G-d and they shall be My people" [ibid. 31:32]. All of this is juxtaposed after the verse "How long will you waver, O wayward daughter" as described.

14

עִקַּר הַתְּפִלִּין וְהַמֹּחִין וְהַחִיּוּת נִמְשָׁכִין עַל־יְדֵי צַדִּיקֵי הַדּוֹר הָאֲמִתִּיִּים, שֶׁהֵם הַמֹּחִין וְהַחִיּוּת שֶׁל כָּל הָעוֹלָם, וּמֵהֶם נִמְשָׁכִין הַמֹּחִין שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין. וְהַמֹּחִין שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק בְּעַצְמוֹ הֵם בְּחִינַת תְּפִלִּין שֶׁל רֹאשׁ, וּמֹחִין שֶׁל כְּלַל יִשְׂרָאֵל שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק מְקָרֵב אוֹתָם לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ וּמֵאִיר בָּהֶם, זֶה בְּחִינַת תְּפִלִּין שֶׁל יָד (שם אות ה).

14

The Torah is in the dimension of Adam [human being], the dimension of the holy Name Mem-Heh [מ"ה, gematria 45, corresponding to the higher level of the Name Havayah]; and prayer is in the dimension of Behaimah [animal], the gematria of the holy Name Beis-Nun [ב"ן, gematria 52, corresponding to the lower level of the Name Havayah], which is the dimension of Malchus [Kingship], the dimension of prayer. For the very essence of prayer is that one places oneself as a behaimah — as one who has no intellect to take counsel for his own soul — and simply beseeches mercy and supplication, in the dimension of "As a hart cries out for streams of water" [Tehillim 42:2], and as it is written: "As the beasts of the field do I cry out to You" [Yirmiyah 14:6], the dimension of "Like a swift, a crane — so do I chirp; I moan like a dove" [Yeshayah 38:14]. And through meriting to make prayers out of Toras — which is the dimension of Adam u'Behaimah [human being and animal] as described — through this one merits to draw salvation for all, even for those who are literally in the dimension of animals through their deeds, for through this path they too will merit Teshuvah and forgiveness of iniquities. And this is also alluded to there in the vicinity of the verse "How long will you waver" as described, where it is further said: "Behold, days are coming, says Hashem, and I will sow the house of Yisrael, etc., the seed of Adam and the seed of Behaimah" [Yirmiyah 31:26].

15

אָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זַ"ל: בְּכָל יוֹם יִצְרוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם מִתְגַּבֵּר עָלָיו, וְאִלְמָלֵא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא עוֹזְרוֹ לֹא הָיָה יָכוֹל לוֹ. בְּכָל יוֹם יִצְרוֹ מִתְגַּבֵּר עָלָיו, זֶה נִמְשָׁךְ מִבְּחִינַת בִּתְחִלָּה עָלָה בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה לִבְרֹא אֶת הָעוֹלָם בְּמִדַּת הַדִּין, שֶׁזֶּה הַדִּין מִתְעוֹרֵר בְּכָל יוֹם, וְרוֹצֶה חַס־וְשָׁלוֹם לִנְהֹג הָעוֹלָם בִּבְחִינָה זֹאת, וּמִשָּׁם מִתְעוֹרֵר וּמִתְגַּבֵּר הַיֵּצֶר הָרָע שֶׁנִּמְשָׁךְ מִשָּׁם בְּכָל יוֹם וָיוֹם. כִּי עִקַּר הַיֵּצֶר הָרָע וְהַסִּטְרָא אָחֳרָא, נִמְשָׁךְ מִבְּחִינַת דִּינִים שֶׁנִּמְשָׁכִין מִתְּחִלַּת הַצִּמְצוּם שֶׁל חָלָל הַפָּנוּי, אַךְ הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ מְרַחֵם תֵּכֶף וּמַקְדִּים מִדַּת הָרַחֲמִים לְמִדַּת הַדִּין, כְּמַאֲמַר חֲכָמֵינוּ זַ"ל: רָאָה שֶׁאֵין הָעוֹלָם מִתְקַיֵּם וְכוּ', שֶׁזֶּהוּ בְּחִינַת הָעֶזֶר וְהַסִּיּוּעַ שֶׁמְּסַיֵּעַ לְהָאָדָם בְּכָל יוֹם לְשַׁבֵּר אֶת הַיֵּצֶר הָרָע שֶׁהוּא מִמִּדַּת הַדִּין. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת תְּפִלִּין דְּרַשִּׁ"י שֶׁהַחֲסָדִים קוֹדְמִין לִגְבוּרוֹת, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת הִקְדִּים מִדַּת הָרַחֲמִים וְשִׁתֵּף לְמִדַּת הַדִּין, שֶׁזֶּהוּ עִקַּר הַהַנְהָגָה וְהַקִּיּוּם שֶׁל כָּל הָעוֹלָם, וְעַל־כֵּן עִקַּר הַתְּפִלִּין שֶׁהַכֹּל מַנִּיחִין הֵם רַשִּׁ"י, כִּי זֶה עִקַּר הַנְהָגַת הָעוֹלָם וְקִיּוּמוֹ עַל־יְדֵי בְּחִינָה זוֹ, אֲבָל יֵשׁ צַדִּיקִים גְּדוֹלִים כָּל־כָּךְ, שֶׁאֵין צְרִיכִין סִיּוּעַ דִּלְעֵלָּא, וְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ מִתְנַהֵג עִמָּהֶם כְּמוֹ בִּתְחִלַּת הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה הַיְנוּ בְּמִדַּת הַדִּין לְבַד, וְהֵם עוֹמְדִים בְּכָל הַנִּסְיוֹנוֹת וְהַיִּסּוּרִים וְהַצָּרוֹת הַנִּמְשָׁכִין מִמִּדַּת הַדִּין הַנַּ"ל, וְנִשְׁאָרִים עַל עָמְדָם, וְהֵם מַמְתִּיקִין הַדִּין בְּשָׁרְשׁוֹ בִּתְחִלַּת הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה, כִּי מַאֲמִינִים וְיוֹדְעִים שֶׁהַדִּינִים וְהַיִּסּוּרִים בְּעַצְמוֹ הֵם טוֹבוֹת גְּדוֹלוֹת, וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה בֶּאֱמֶת הֵם זוֹכִים לַעֲלוֹת וּלְהִכָּלֵל בִּתְחִלַּת הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה, שֶׁזֶּה בְּחִינַת כָּךְ עָלָה בְּמַחֲשָׁבָה הַנֶּאֱמַר עַל מִיתַת רַבִּי עֲקִיבָא. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת תְּפִלִּין דְּרַבֵּנוּשׂתָּם, שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת מֹחִין גְּבוֹהִים בְּיוֹתֵר, וְשָׁם הַגְּבוּרוֹת קוֹדְמִין לַחֲסָדִים, שֶׁזֶּה בְּחִינַת הַהַנְהָגָה שֶׁעָלָה בִּתְחִלַּת הַמַּחֲשָׁבָה בְּחִינַת הַנְהָגַת הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּבוֹהִים הַנַּ"ל, וְעַל־כֵּן מִי שֶׁרוֹצֶה לְקָרֵב אֶת עַצְמוֹ לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עַל עַצְמוֹ תּוֹסֶפֶת קְדֻשָּׁה, צָרִיךְ לְהַנִּיחַ תְּפִלִּין דְּרַבֵּנוּשׂתָּם גַּם כֵּן. כִּי כָּל הַהִתְרַחֲקוּת מֵהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ נִמְשָׁךְ מֵהַיֵּצֶר הָרָע שֶׁשָּׁרְשׁוֹ מִמִּדַּת הַדִּין, שֶׁנִּמְשָׁךְ מִתְּחִלַּת הַצִּמְצוּם שֶׁל חָלָל הַפָּנוּי, וְעַל־כֵּן עִקַּר תּוֹסֶפֶת קְדֻשָּׁה נִמְשָׁךְ עַל הָאָדָם עַל־יְדֵי תְּפִלִּין דְּרַבֵּנוּשׂתָּם, שֶׁנִּמְשָׁכִין מִבְּחִינַת הַצַּדִּיקִים הַנַּ"ל הָעוֹלִים לִבְחִינַת שֹׁרֶשׁ הַדִּין וּמַמְתִּיקִין הַכֹּל בְּשָׁרְשָׁם, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִמְשָׁךְ כֹּחַ עַל כָּל הָרְחוֹקִים לְשַׁבֵּר וּלְבַטֵּל הַיֵּצֶר הָרָע שֶׁנִּמְשָׁךְ מִשָּׁם (שם כח).

15

Our Sages of blessed memory said [regarding the verse]: "And the eyes of Leah were tender" [Beraishis 29:17] — that she wept so that she would not fall in the portion of Eisav [Esau]. This alludes to the congregation of Yisrael: every single person of Yisrael must weep as much as Leah, so that he not fall into the portion of the Sam"ech-Mem [the Adversary], G-d forbid — who is the dimension of Eisav.

16

עַכְשָׁו בְּעִקְבוֹת מְשִׁיחָא בְּסוֹף הַגָּלוּת, שֶׁהַגָּלוּת וְהַבַּעַל דָּבָר וְהַסִּטְרָא אָחֳרָא מִתְגַּבְּרִין מְאֹד, וְהָעִקָּר מַה שֶּׁנִּתְגַּבֵּר וּמִתְפַּשֵּׁט מְאֹד הָאֱפִּיקוֹרְסוּת בָּעוֹלָם, וְכָל הַהִתְגַּבְּרוּת הַזֶּה הוּא בְּחִינַת חֶבְלֵי לֵידָה חֶבְלֵי מָשִׁיחַ, שֶׁכָּל זֶה נִמְשָׁךְ מִשֹּׁרֶשׁ הַדִּין שֶׁל בְּחִינַת חָלָל הַפָּנוּי הַנַּ"ל, וְעַל־כֵּן אֵין כֹּחַ לַעֲמֹד עַכְשָׁו כְּנֶגְדָּם, כִּי אִם בְּכֹחַ הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים מְאֹד הַנַּ"ל, שֶׁיְּכוֹלִין לִיכָּנֵס לְשָׁם לְתוֹךְ בְּחִינַת חָלָל הַפָּנוּי וּלְהַמְתִּיק הַדִּין בְּשָׁרְשׁוֹ, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי זֶה יִתְבַּטֵּל כָּל כֹּחַ הַיֵּצֶר הָרָע שֶׁל כָּל בָּאֵי עוֹלָם שֶׁנִּמְשָׁךְ מִשָּׁם. עַל־כֵּן צָרִיךְ כָּל אֶחָד לִיזָהֵר לְהַנִּיחַ תְּפִלִּין דְּרַבֵּנוּ תָּם, שֶׁהֵם נִמְשָׁכִין מִבְּחִינַת מֹחִין הַגְּבוֹהִים שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיקִים הַנַּ"ל, כְּדֵי לְקַבֵּל כֹּחַ מֵהֶם לְשַׁבֵּר אֶת הַיֵּצֶר הָרָע שֶׁהִתְגַּבֵּר עַכְשָׁו מְאֹד שֶׁנִּמְשָׁךְ מִשָּׁם (שם כט).

16

When a Jew enters to pray his prayer and conversation before Hashem blessed be He — to merit drawing near to Him and fulfilling His Torah and commandments — and wishes to make prayer out of the Torah, but as yet has no word on his tongue to speak, for he does not yet know the paths and signs of the Torah and does not know how to speak, converse, and pray — then the Torah itself takes pity upon that Jew who is praying, and transmits to him the signs of the Torah, so that good deeds may be born from it. And this is the dimension of the words that flow to a person at the time he enters into Hisbodidus to lay out his conversation before Hashem blessed be He — that at first he has no word at all to say, and when he is firm in his resolve and strengthens himself to speak anyway, then in most cases words come to him that he had not anticipated speaking; and these words are sent to him from Heaven in the dimension described.

17

הִסְתַּכְּלוּת פְּנֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים הוּא מַעֲלָה גְּדוֹלָה מְאֹד, כִּי עַל־יְדֵי זֶה זוֹכִין לְהַרְבֵּה דְּבָרִים, עַד שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִחְיָה בְּחִינַת הַשִּׁפְלוּת שֶׁל משֶׁה רַבֵּנוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם שֶׁמְּלֻבָּשׁ בְּכָל אֶחָד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁזֶּה בְּחִינַת חַיִּים נִצְחִיִּים. אֲבָל לָאו כָּל אָדָם זוֹכֶה לֵידַע הֵיכָן הֵם הַצַּדִּיקִים הַגְּדוֹלִים בַּמַּעֲלָה, עַד שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי הִסְתַּכְּלוּת פְּנֵיהֶם לְבַד זוֹכִין לְכָל זֶה, וְגַם אִי אֶפְשָׁר לִהְיוֹת אֶצְלָם בִּתְמִידוּת וּלְהִסְתַּכֵּל בָּהֶם בְּכָל יוֹם וּבְכָל עֵת. אַךְ עַל־יְדֵי הַנָּחַת תְּפִלִּין שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת אוֹר הַפָּנִים בְּחִינַת הִתְנוֹצְצוּת הַמֹּחִין, יָכוֹל כָּל אֶחָד מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל לְהַמְשִׁיךְ עַל עַצְמוֹ כָּל הַתִּקּוּנִים וְהַקְּדֻשּׁוֹת הַנִּמְשָׁכִין מֵהִסְתַּכְּלוּת פְּנֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים, עַד שֶׁיִּזְכֶּה לְחַיִּים נִצְחִיִּים בְּחִינַת תְּחִיַּת הַמֵּתִים, שֶׁזֶּהוּ הָאשֶׁר הַמְקֻוֶּה לַכֹּל. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת מַה שֶּׁאָמְרוּ רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זַ"ל הַמַּנִּיחַ תְּפִלִּין זוֹכֶה לְחַיִּים, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת הַשִּׂמְחָה שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין כְּמַאֲמַר רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זַ"ל, כִּי חַיִּים נִצְחִיִּים הַנַּ"ל הֵם עִקַּר הַשִּׂמְחָה הַנִּצְחִית (שם הלכה ו אות ב).

17

All the Tzaddikim merited to their level in completeness only through Hisbodidus and prayers — that they multiplied their supplications before Hashem blessed be He to merit fulfilling the Torah. For the essential subduing of the Sitra Achra [Other Side] in completeness is only through this — for Torah alone can at times provide nourishment for the Sitra Achra, G-d forbid, if one's mind is introduced to learn not for its own sake; and likewise prayer alone can allow the Sitra Achra to take hold, if one's mind is introduced to pray only for bodily needs. But when Torah and prayer are included together — and all one's prayer is solely that one fulfill the Torah, and all one's Torah study is in order to know how to make prayer out of the Torah, so as to merit to guard, do, and fulfill — then Torah and prayer are included together in the ultimate unification, and then all workers of iniquity are dispersed, and the Sitra Achra has no nourishment whatsoever; on the contrary, the evil is transformed as well to good, as explained within.

18

אַף עַל פִּי שֶׁצְּרִיכִין לִהְיוֹת עָנָיו בֶּאֱמֶת, וְלֹא יִהְיֶה בְּלִבּוֹ שׁוּם צַד גֵּאוּת וְגַסּוּת כְּלָל, וְזֶה עִקַּר קְדֻשַּׁת הַתְּפִלִּין שֶׁזּוֹכִין עַל יָדָם לְחַיִּים נִצְחִיִּים בְּחִינַת עֲנָוָה וְשִׁפְלוּת אֲמִתִּי שֶׁהוּא עִקַּר הַחַיִּים, אַף עַל פִּי כֵן צְרִיכִין לִהְיוֹת אִישׁ חַיִל וְגִבּוֹר גָּדוֹל, וְלֹא יִהְיֶה עָצֵל וְנִבְזֶה (שֶׁקּוֹרִין: שְׁלֵימַזְלְנִיק) כְּלָל, רַק יִהְיֶה לוֹ עַזּוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה לַעֲמֹד נֶגֶד כָּל מִינֵי מוֹנְעִים וּמְסִיתִים וּמְעַכְּבִים, הֵן מֵאֲחֵרִים הֵן מֵחֲלִישׁוּת דַּעְתּוֹ בְּעַצְמוֹ, לִבְלִי לְהַנִּיחַ אֶת עַצְמוֹ לִפֹּל בְּשׁוּם אֹפֶן שׁוּם נְפִילָה בְּעָלְמָא, וַאֲפִלּוּ שֶׁלֹּא לְהַחֲלִישׁ דַּעְתּוֹ, רַק לִהְיוֹת שָׂמֵחַ בְּכָל עֵת בְּחַסְדֵי ה' וְטוּבוֹ. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת גַּדְלוּת דִּקְדֻשָּׁה בְּחִינַת וַיִּגְבַּהּ לִבּוֹ בְּדַרְכֵּי ה', שֶׁזֶּה צָרִיךְ כָּל אָדָם. וּבֶאֱמֶת הַגַּדְלוּת וְהָעֲנָוָה דִּקְדֻשָּׁה הַכֹּל אֶחָד, בְּחִינַת בְּכָל מָקוֹם שָׁאַתָּה מוֹצֵא גְּדֻלָּתוֹ שָׁם אַתָּה מוֹצֵא עַנְוְתָנוּתוֹ, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת תְּפִלִּין דְרַשִּׁ"י וּדְרַבֵּנוּ תָּם, כַּמְּבֹאָר בִּפְנִים (שם אות טז).

18

In another place it is explained that one must proceed from level to level and make out of prayer — which is the dimension of the concealed — Torah, which is the dimension of the revealed. And above it is explained that one must make out of Torah, prayer. But in truth, both matters are one — for so long as one has not yet merited some level, such as even to fulfill some Mitzvah in its simplest form, one is thereby still far from fulfillment of that Mitzvah. For example, the Mitzvah of Tzedakah [charity] and the like — that Mitzvah and service is then in the dimension of the concealed relative to him, and he is then in the dimension of prayer, for he must still pray to merit that holy service. And afterward, when he merits to it, it becomes for him in the dimension of Torah — and then he must pray to attain a yet higher level. And this itself is also the matter of making prayer out of Torah — meaning: to pray that one merit to fulfill that Torah which one has not yet merited to fulfill.

19

תְּפִלִּין הֵם בְּחִינַת הִתְנוֹצְצוּת הַמֹּחִין, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי זֶה זוֹכִין לְבוּשָׁה, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִמְשָׁךְ חַיִּים נִצְחִיִּים הַנַּ"ל. אֲבָל מֵחֲמַת גֹּדֶל בָּשְׁתֵּנוּ וּכְלִימוֹתֵינוּ, לֹא הָיִינוּ יְכוֹלִים לְהָרִים פָּנֵינוּ לְפָנָיו יִתְבָּרַךְ אֲפִלּוּ לְקַיֵּם מִצְוֹתָיו, עַל־כֵּן מַקְדִּימִין לִלְבּשׁ טַלִּית שֶׁל מִצְוָה שֶׁהוּא מְכַסֶּה עַל הַבּוּשָׁה, כִּי הַבְּגָדִים וְהַלְּבוּשִׁין הֵם תִּקּוּן הַבּוּשָׁה, כַּמְּבֹאָר בִּפְנִים. וְזֶה מִגֹּדֶל חַסְדּוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ, כִּי לֹא הָיָה לָנוּ כֹּחַ כְּלָל וּכְלָל לִסְבֹּל הַבּוּשָׁה. וְזֶה מַה יָּקָר חַסְדְּךָ וְכוּ' וּבְנֵי אָדָם בְּצֵל כְּנָפֶיךָ יֶחֱסָיוּן, שֶׁזֶּה בְּחִינַת כַּנְפֵי הַטַּלִּית הַקָּדוֹשׁ לַחֲסוֹת וּלְהִתְחַבֵּא בְּצֵל כְּנָפָיו מִגֹּדֶל הַבּוּשָׁה (שם אות כב).

19

All the repairs, paths, and holy counsels that the holy Tzaddikim revealed to us through their Torah novellae — it is difficult to come to them except through prayer and supplication. For although they are truly great and profound counsels, even the counsel itself is difficult to fulfill — therefore one must greatly make prayers out of Toras and pray abundantly to Hashem blessed be He to merit going and fulfilling all the paths and holy counsels that our Sages of blessed memory revealed to us.

20

עִקַּר הַפְּאֵר וְהַחֵן וְהַיֹּפִי שֶׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּכְלָל וּבִפְרָט, הֵם הַתְּפִלִּין הַקְּדוֹשׁוֹת שֶׁמַּנִּיחַ כָּל אֶחָד בְּכָל יוֹם, שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת אוֹר הַפָּנִים וְהִתְנוֹצְצוּת הַמֹּחִין אֲמִתִּיִּים, לְהַכִּיר אֶת בּוֹרְאֵנוּ יִתְבָּרַךְ שְׁמוֹ לִהְיוֹת נִכְלָל בְּשֵׁם ה', וְאָנוּ מִתְפָּאֲרִין בּוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ וְהוּא מִתְפָּאֵר בָּנוּ, שֶׁזֶּה בְּחִינַת הַתְּפִלִּין שֶׁל הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ שֶׁמִּתְעוֹרְרִין עַל־יְדֵי הַנָּחַת תְּפִלִּין שֶׁלָּנוּ, וְכָל־זֶה זוֹכִין עַל־יְדֵי הַצַּדִּיק יְסוֹד עוֹלָם, שֶׁעַל יָדוֹ כָּל הִתְקָרְבוּת יִשְׂרָאֵל לְהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְעַל יָדוֹ מִתְגַּלֶּה וּמִתְגַּדֵּל שֵׁם ה', וְנִמְשָׁכִין הָאַרְבַּע מֹחִין וּמְמַלְּאִין הַבָּתִּים שֶׁל הַתְּפִלִּין, וְגַם מִתְגַּבְּרִין הַמְּאוֹרֵי אוֹר שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת גַּוְונִין דְּעֵינָא וּבַת עַיִן. אַךְ מֵחֲמַת שֶׁבַּעֲוֹנוֹתֵינוּ הָרַבִּים הַצַּדִּיק הַנַּ"ל הוּא נֶעֱלָם מְאֹד, וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה מִמֵּילָא נֶעֱלַם כָּל אוֹר הַתְּפִלִּין, עַל־כֵּן עִקַּר הַתִּקּוּן עַל־יְדֵי שֶׁקָּמִים בַּחֲצוֹת, וּמִתְאַבְּלִין עַל חֻרְבַּן בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ, וְעַל סִלּוּקָן שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים שֶׁקָּשֶׁה כִּפְלַיִם כְּחֻרְבַּן בֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ כְּמַאֲמַר רַבּוֹתֵינוּ זַ"ל, כִּי הַכֹּל בְּחִינָה אַחַת כִּי עִקַּר אוֹר הַבֵּית הַמִּקְדָּשׁ הוּא גַּם כֵּן עַל־יְדֵי הַצַּדִּיק הַנַּ"ל, וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה יוֹצֵא בַּבֹּקֶר אוֹר הַתְּפִלִּין (שם הלכה ז).

20

One who desires to spare his soul and not forfeit his world, G-d forbid, must search and investigate very deeply for the truth, in order to return to Hashem blessed be He truly — for perhaps his mind is misleading him in some not-good path, G-d forbid, because he has not merited to picture the light of the Torah as it should be, because the vessels of his Mochin are not whole due to a blemish of the Bris [the covenant, i.e., sexual purity]. And the essential repair for all of this is: crying out, prayer, conversation, and Hisbodidus between oneself and one's Creator — one must cry out greatly to Hashem blessed be He with Mesirat Nefesh [total self-surrender/devotion], until one's soul practically departs, G-d forbid — as our Sages of blessed memory said: "A person's prayer is not heard unless he places his soul in his palm." For the essential repair of the Bris — to merit to emerge from the exile of this desire [sexual desire/licentiousness] in completeness — is through crying out greatly to Hashem blessed be He: one must cry out at least seventy voices, and within these seventy voices are included countless voices, cries, prayers, and supplications throughout all the days of one's life. For the seventy years of a person correspond to the seventy faces of the Torah, to which a person must merit. And every person can understand within his own soul how far he still is even from one face of the Torah — how much more so from all of them. Therefore even if one has not blemished greatly, and even if one has already cried out greatly to Hashem blessed be He and has been engaged greatly in Torah and Mitzvos — even so, since one has not yet attained even a thousandth of a thousandth of this, certainly how very much one still needs to cry out to Hashem blessed be He all the days of one's life. And it is already known that it is forbidden to ever despair of the crying out — for even if one has blemished greatly, and even if one is still as one is — if one does not despair of the cry and prayer and supplication, one can merit the revelation of some face of the Torah truly, and even all seventy faces — for Hashem blessed be He is good to all, only some Is'arusa dil'sata [awakening from below] is needed. And the essential thing is to cry out greatly to Hashem blessed be He until one merits to shatter all the desires — and primarily the desire mentioned above — and then one will merit the revelation of the Torah, in the dimension of the seventy faces of the Torah. And all of this cannot be merited except through the power of the true Tzaddikim — who are the dimensions of Moshe and Mashiach — as explained within: that through their holy Torah novellae one merits to know the paths of true simplicity that our forebears walked from of old. And then one who walks in simplicity walks in safety, and can thereby merit all good.

21

אוֹר הַתְּפִלִּין בְּשָׁרְשָׁן גָּדוֹל מְאֹד עַד אֵין סוֹף, עַל־כֵּן אֵין יְכוֹלִין לְקַבְּלָם, כִּי אִם עַל־יְדֵי קְשָׁרִים שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת חוֹתָם בְּחִינַת צִמְצוּם הָאוֹר, שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי זֶה יְכוֹלִין לְקַבֵּל אוֹר הַתְּפִלִּין הַקְּדוֹשִׁים בְּהַדְרָגָה וּבְמִדָּה. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת הַבָּתִּים שֶׁל הַתְּפִלִּין, כִּי הַבָּתִּים שֶׁל הַשֶּׁל רֹאשׁ הוּא בְּחִינַת בֵּיתָא עִלָּאָה, וּבַיִת שֶׁל יָד הוּא בְּחִינַת בֵּיתָא תַּתָּאָה, עַיֵּן פְּנִים. שֶׁהֵם מְצַמְצְמִין וְחוֹתְמִין הָאוֹר הַגָּדוֹל שֶׁל הַפַּרְשִׁיּוֹת שֶׁהֵם הַמֹּחִין הַמְּאִירִין עַד אֵין סוֹף, וְעַל־כֵּן צְרִיכִין לְתָפְרָן בְּגִידִין, וּלְכָרְכָן בִּשְׂעָרוֹת, הַכֹּל בִּשְׁבִיל צִמְצוּם הָאוֹר הַגָּדוֹל, כִּי גִּידִין וּשְׂעָרוֹת הֵם בְּחִינַת צִמְצוּמִים כַּיָּדוּעַ, וְזֶה בְּחִינַת שִׂימַנִּי כַּחוֹתָם עַל לִבֶּךָ וְכוּ', שֶׁזֶּה נֶאֱמַר עַל הַחוֹתָמוֹת וְהַצִּמְצוּמִים שֶׁל הַתְּפִלִּין כַּמּוּבָא בַּזֹּהַר הַקָּדוֹשׁ, וְזֶה שֶׁסִּיֵּם כִּי עַזָּה כַּמָּוֶת אַהֲבָה וְכוּ' רְשָׁפֶיהָ רִשְׁפֵי אֵשׁ וְכוּ', הַיְנוּ שֶׁהַלֵּב שֶׁל אִישׁ הַיִּשְׂרְאֵלִי בּוֹעֵר וְנִכְסָף בְּרִשְׁפֵי שַׁלְהֶבֶת אֵשׁ, עַד שֶׁאִי־אֶפְשָׁר מֵחֲמַת זֶה לַעֲבֹד כְּלָל אֶת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁהַהִתְלַהֲבוּת הוּא לְמַעְלָה מֵהַמִּדָּה בְּחִינַת אֵין סוֹף, וְלִפְעָמִים רִבּוּי הָאוֹר הַזֶּה גּוֹרֵם שְׁבִירַת כֵּלִים חַס־וְשָׁלוֹם, וִיכוֹלִין לָבוֹא עַל יָדוֹ לְתַאֲווֹת וְחַטָּאִים רַחֲמָנָא לִצְּלָן שֶׁהֵם סִיטְרָא דְּמוֹתָא, וְעַל־כֵּן אָנוּ מְבַקְּשִׁים מִלִּפְנֵי הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, שֶׁיְּרַחֵם עָלֵינוּ וִיצַמְצֵם אֶצְלֵנוּ אֶת הָאוֹר הַהִתְלַהֲבוּת הַזֶּה, עַד שֶׁנִּהְיֶה דְּבֵקִים בּוֹ כַּחוֹתָם, הַיְנוּ שֶׁהַדְּבֵקוּת יִהְיֶה בִּבְחִינַת חוֹתָם וְצִמְצוּם, כְּדֵי לְקַבֵּל הָאוֹר בְּהַדְרָגָה וּבְמִדָּה. וְזֶה בְּחִינַת הַחוֹתָמוֹת שֶׁל הַתְּפִלִּין הַקְּדוֹשִׁים שֶׁהֵם צִמְצוּמִים קְדוֹשִׁים לְקַבֵּל הָאוֹר הַגָּדוֹל עַל יָדָם, כְּדֵי לִזְכּוֹת עַל־יְדֵי זֶה לַעֲבֹד אֶת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ בְּהַדְרָגָה וּבְמִדָּה (הלכות נדרים הלכה ג אות יא יב).

21

The matter of strengthening oneself in Hisbodidus even though it seems to him each time that his heart is very blocked and he has no words and does not know at all what to say, etc. — see [the entry] 'Yir'ah' [Awe], Letter 74, and see there also Letter 76.

22

צִיצִת וּתְפִלִּין הֵם צִמְצוּמִים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים לְקַבֵּל אוֹר הַהִתְלַהֲבוּת שֶׁל הָאֵשׁ הַקְּדוֹשָׁה, שֶׁהוּא בְּחִינַת הֶאָרַת אֵין סוֹף, שֶׁזֶּה בְּחִינַת כִּי ה' אֱלֹקֶיךָ אֵשׁ אֹכְלָה הוּא, וְאַף עַל פִּי כֵן יִשְׂרָאֵל הַדְּבֵקִים בּוֹ יִתְבָּרַךְ מְקַבְּלִים חִיּוּתָם מִמֶּנּוּ כַּמְּבֹאָר בִּפְנִים. וְזֶה שֶׁמּוּבָא בְּסִפּוּרֵי מַעֲשִׂיּוֹת שֶׁעַל־יְדֵי צִיצִת וּתְפִלִּין הָיוּ יְכוֹלִין לַעֲבֹר בְּתוֹךְ הָאֵשׁ הַגְּדוֹלָה הַשּׂוֹרֶפֶת, כִּי הָאֵשׁ הַזֹּאת נִמְשַׁךְ וְנִשְׁתַּלְשֵׁל בְּכַמָּה מִינֵי הִשְׁתַּלְשְׁלוּת מֵהָאֵשׁ שֶׁל מַעְלָה, שֶׁהוּא בְּחִינַת אוֹר הַהִתְלַהֲבוּת הַנַּ"ל (שם אות יג).

22

Hisbodidus and personal conversation between oneself and one's Creator — through which one merits to connect oneself at all times to the Nekudah that belongs to one's heart at this moment — all of this is the dimension of Mishpat [judgment/self-reckoning]: judging, adjudicating, and admonishing oneself to fulfill all the words of the Torah. And one must direct this Mishpat to judge oneself at all times and every day according to the time — in the dimension of: "To render the judgment of His servant, etc., each day's matter in its day" [Melachim I, 8:59]; and before that it is written: "And may these words of mine, with which I have supplicated, etc." [ibid. 8:59] — which is the dimension of the supplications and the Hisbodidus described, through which one draws forth the dimension of the Mishpat: each day's matter in its day, as befits that time and day and hour. And to merit this is through Tzedakah [charity], in the dimension of: "Blessed are those who keep justice, who do charity at all times" [Tehillim 106:3].

23

תְּפִלִּין שֶׁל רֹאשׁ וּתְפִלִּין שֶׁל יָד בִּזְרוֹעַ שְׂמֹאל, הוּא שֶׁצְּרִיכִין לְיַחֵד וּלְקַשֵּׁר כָּל הַבְּרִיאָה שֶׁהוּא בְּחִינַת שֶׁלֹּא כַּסֵּדֶר בְּחִינַת שְׂמֹאל, לְהָרֹאשׁ וְהַמֹּחִין הַקְּדוֹשִׁים שֶׁהֵם בְּחִינַת כַּסֵּדֶר. וְעִנְיַן הַדֶּרֶךְ שֶׁזּוֹכִין לְקַשֵּׁר שֶׁלֹּא כַּסֵּדֶר לִבְחִינַת כַּסֵּדֶר, הוּא עַל־יְדֵי בְּחִינַת אִם אֶסַּק שָׁמַיִם שָׁם אָתָּה וְאַצִּיעָה שְׁאוֹל הִנֶּךָֹּ, שֶׁיִּמְצְאוּ תָּמִיד אֶת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ בֵּין בַּעֲלִיָּה וּבֵין בִּירִידָה. כִּי לִפְעָמִים כְּשֶׁאָדָם עוֹלֶה לְאֵיזֶה מַעֲלָה, שׁוֹכֵחַ עַל־יְדֵי זֶה דַּיְקָא בְּהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, וְזֶה מֵחֲמַת שֶׁאֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְקַבֵּל רִבּוּי הָאוֹר שֶׁבְּמַדְרֵגָה זוֹ, וְעַל־ כֵּן שָׁם צְרִיכִין לְצַמְצֵם הָאוֹר וְכוּ'. וְעַל־כֵּן בְּשֶׁל רֹאשׁ יֵשׁ אַרְבַּע בָּתִּים, כִּי מֵחֲמַת גֹּדֶל רִבּוּי הָאוֹר שֶׁל בְּחִינַת שֶׁל רֹאשׁ, צְרִיכִין שָׁם צִמְצוּמִים הַרְבֵּה בְּיוֹתֵר בְּחִינַת אַרְבַּע בָּתִּים, אֲבָל הַשֶּׁל יָד בַּשְּׂמֹאל, שֶׁמְּרַמֵּז עַל מַה שֶּׁצְּרִיכִין לִהְיוֹת מְקֻשָּׁר בְּהַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ גַּם בִּשְׁעַת קַטְנוּת וִירִידָה בִּבְחִינַת וְאַצִּיעָה שְׁאוֹל הִנֶּךָֹּ, עַל־כֵּן אֵין שָׁם רַק בַּיִת אֶחָד, כִּי שָׁם אֵין צְרִיכִין לְצַמְצֵם הָאוֹר כָּל־כָּךְ, מֵחֲמַת שֶׁשָּׁם הַאוֹר מֻעָט, אַדְרַבָּא צְרִיכִין לְגַלּוֹתוֹ שָׁם בִּבְחִינַת וְאַצִּיעָה שְׁאוֹל הִנֶּךָֹּ, הִנֶּךָֹּ מַמָּשׁ בְּסָמוּךְ אֵלַי וְאֶצְלִי מַמָּשׁ, וְעַל־כֵּן אֵין שָׁם רַק בַּיִת אֶחָד (הלכות פדיון בכור הלכה ג אות ח).

23

The matter of the caution one must take to practice Hisbodidus between oneself and one's Creator each day and to judge oneself well in all one's ways — and that upon this depends all of Yisrael's Divine service, both great and small — see [the entry] 'Yir'ah va'Avodah' [Awe and Service], Letter 81.

24

עִנְיַן שַׁחֲרוּת שֶׁל תְּפִלִּין, וּמַה שֶּׁהַתְּפִלִּין שֶׁל יָד קוֹדְמִין לִתְפִלִּין שֶׁל רֹאשׁ - עַיֵּן אֱמוּנָה קטו.

24

A person must know the depth of his distance from Hashem blessed be He — and yet even so know and believe that from the side of His blessed mercy He is very close to every single person, even to those who are very far. And the essential means is through speech — for through speech we are able to call to Him from very far away, and He draws near to us through this, as it is written: "Hashem is close to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him in truth" [Tehillim 145:18], and it is written: "And what other great nation has G-d so close to it as Hashem our G-d whenever we call upon Him" [Devarim 4:7]. And this is the dimension of "Creator of the fruit of the lips" [Yeshayah 57:19] — the dimension of speech — through this specifically one merits the dimension of: "Peace, peace to the far and to the near" [ibid. 57:19] — the dimension of both the distancing and the drawing near as described: that one truly knows the distancing from one's own side, and the closeness from the side of His blessed mercy. And one who takes heed to carefully understand the meaning of the words of this verse: "Creator of the fruit of the lips" — will be able to understand from it counsels for how to strengthen oneself in this matter…

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