אות - קעד

Before the Land of Israel he said: I do not know how the Tzadikim make a pidyon [redemption]. For one must know all the twenty-four courts of law (352). For when one brings the pidyon one must know in which court of law he is being judged. For perhaps he is making a pidyon and sweetening of the judgment belonging to one court of law — while in truth he is being judged in another court of law. Therefore one must know in which court he is being judged and know the pidyon and sweetening of that court. I know all the twenty-four courts of law, and I can make an "apilatsye" [appeal] from court to court through all the twenty-four courts — meaning I can say that the judgment of this court does not seem right to me and I wish to be judged in another court. And so from court to court through all of them. And presumably it certainly helps — for in any case one way or another the judgment is drawn out and delayed. And when it is delayed it is easier, since in the meantime that person performs some mitzvah and the like. And even if it does not help, I can make an "andensenye" [petition] — meaning to send the matter to the Emperor himself (353). And this is a great craft and great wisdom. No one in the generation knows this. And no person has yet known of this. For it is a great craft to insert all the request within some words in number — and also to give proper honor to the Emperor, as is fitting. For certainly one cannot send many things to the Emperor etc.

He also said: I do not know how one can make a pidyon — for one can only make a pidyon when one knows how the High Priest conducted himself with the scapegoat (354). 351. RAK: The Tzadik through the power of the money of the pidyon that the Chassid gives him, prays for him that the judgments be sweetened. (See Likutay Moharan 180, 215; Chayai Moharan, Discourses Connected to the Teachings, 55; Service of Hashem, 96.) 352. RAK: Zohar III, 138b, 293b. Eitz Chaim, Gate of Birth of the Mind, chapter 2. Likutay Moharan 215. Likutay Halachos, Orach Chaim, Laws of Morning Blessings, section 5, chapter 25.

353. RAK: See Chayai Moharan, Greatness of His Wondrous Attainment, 2. 354. RAK: See Sefer HaMidos, Sweetening of the Judgment, 94.