טו

And behold — throughout that year — from all the very many very many holy and awesome words I spoke with young men — at first I saw no effect for most of the year. But in the middle of summer — one was aroused — with whom there had been more talk on my part throughout that year. And I had greatly rebuked him about consistent Torah study. For he was among the outstanding young men and was remarkable in learning. And the world held him to be one who diligently studied. But I observed him carefully and saw that he was not learning at all. And I rebuked him about this. And he admitted my words. And he very greatly longed that I bring him into consistent Torah study. But the inclination of man's heart was evil from his youth. And it was difficult to accustom him to constancy. But I told him the very wondrous awesome greatness of Rabbainu zichrono livracha — all that he had done for my soul — and how he had brought me into consistent study through several wondrous ways. And I told him of what had passed on me through this with him zichrono livracha. And even so — throughout all the winter days — I accomplished very little at him — only that he began to study a little more than at the beginning. But not as I wished — as was truly fitting. But from the multitude of the truth of the words — hot as glowing coals of fire — that I told him about him zichrono livracha — they ignited within him. Until in the middle of the summer his heart was aroused. And he began to persist in his study with great and wondrous constancy. And he was a great masmid for six consecutive years. And he completed in them all four of the great Poskim. And within that time he also changed for the better in other things as well. And other people too drew close little by little. And began to arouse themselves to pray with devotion. And they traveled to the holy monument [the grave] in Uman. And so Hashem Blessed be He helped me little by little every time. And so it continued two years during which I had no lodgings of my own — aside from the first year which was between everything three years from the day of his passing. And even so — some few people had begun to awaken from their sleep and had changed for the better in many things. And because of this they were bound to me with great true love. And every time a certain soul drew closer — and I saw that an impression had been made on him through my words — that he had changed for the better — I was strengthened every time all the more. And I recalled the words of Rabbainu zichrono livracha who had informed me long before all of this — that we would merit to illuminate the entire world. And me he had strengthened more than all of them — in very many expressions and hints and flickers — beyond measure — both generally and specifically.