אות - קיח

I do not remember well on what matter the conversation turned, but this I remember — that at the end he said: when one holds onto this etc. — and he exclaimed greatly in his movement upward — "when one holds onto this." That is, when one holds onto this: that one desires and longs very greatly that one's fellow be a righteous and upright man — even though he himself, Heaven forbid, should not be — this is a very great virtue, and very difficult to attain. I also recall that he said then the following words: that he is pleased — even though he himself, Heaven forbid, does not merit to serve Hashem — in any case let the other Jew serve Hashem Yisburach. This is a very great thing when one holds onto this. So I heard from his holy mouth. And in my view it seems to me that this is a very simple matter. For certainly I wish and greatly desire and yearn and long greatly that all Israel be upright and true Tzadikim — even if I myself do not merit this — in any case let my fellow companions of my generation and all Israel be awesome and true Tzadikim. For this is the essence of love and compassion — that one must have compassion upon one's fellow and upon all Israel that he merit the true purpose — to be as His blessed good will in truth, for this is the essential good of Israel. As is explained in the Torah: "He who has mercy on them will lead them" etc. (in section 7 of Likutay Tinyana) — see there. But I know that there are people who when they fall, Heaven forbid, from the service of Hashem — all the more so those who stumble in some evil desire or transgression, Heaven forbid — they hate and contend against one who is engaged in the service of Hashem, and wish to cause him to fall, Heaven forbid, and greatly discourage him, and shame him in many forms of speech. And they also tell him that he too will fall as they themselves fell, may the Merciful One protect us. As I have seen several followers of Chassidus of today who some years ago began a little in the service of Hashem and afterward fell to what they fell — each one according to his own fall, may the Merciful One protect us. And afterward when they saw the tender youths in their years who became aroused in the service of Hashem and began to pray with enthusiasm with a whole heart and to be diligent in their study etc. — as is found now several upright young people who greatly yearn for Hashem Yisburach and begin to pray with all their heart with great intention etc. — when these fallen followers saw them, they laughed greatly at them and shamed them and greatly discouraged them and said to them that there is nothing real in their service etc. All this is from jealousy — because they themselves fell, they wish, Heaven forbid, that the rest should also be like them, may the Merciful One protect us. But in truth the opposite should be, as mentioned above.