אות - קסד

Every time he spoke about the great heights of his level and station — very very great — he would say each time: but I very greatly labored. "Ich hob zeyer giharvet — ich hob zeyer fil gifost" [I very greatly labored — I fasted very much] (338). And the essence of his telling us these things was for the zealousness of scholars (339) — so that we would be zealous for his great level and virtue, so that we too would become like him and walk in his ways — to toil and exert and work hard etc. and serve Hashem as he did. And once he spoke with one person about these matters and boasted before him about the extreme greatness of his level and attainment etc. — as one who brags and contends with his companion in great things in order that his companion be zealous about him. And this man said to him: who could come to this — to merit your level? — for you certainly have a very lofty soul! And Rabbainu o.b.m. was very displeased at this. And he said: this is your deficiency — that it seems to you that the essence of the greatness and attainment of the great Tzadikim comes only from the side of the lofty soul they have. For in truth the matter is not so — rather every single person can merit to come to my level — to be exactly like me. For the main thing depends only on toils and service in truth. And similarly I heard the same words from his holy mouth many times — that the main thing depends only on toils and service etc. (340). 338. RAK: See above 158. 339. RAK: See Bava Basra 21a. 340. RAK: See Shivchay HaRan 25.