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he should do what Rabbi Nachman writes in Likutei Moharan I who were saved attained the wholeness of faith that Hashem wants that I had succeeded in identifying the root and essential point, the
52 in its simple sense, and engage in a great deal of prayer for a to save them. Therefore, they were inspired to pray stubbornly with key and secret, upon which the acceptance of prayers depends.
few hours every night or at least during the day until he nullifies all their might in order to bring about their salvation immediately
one element and uproots it entirely. But most people will not be and urgently, and to reveal the true will of Hashem, Who wants to While this question was consuming my mind, Hashem brought
able to do this. This is possible only for a very few. Therefore, if a rescue them. Consequently, their prayer was complete: a strong me an experience by way of which He enlightened me with a new
person wants to see great and quick results, it is advisable that he prayer, an absolute request without any coldness of spirit. As for insight, so that with its help I understood the simple and deep
devote half an hour to one topic every day. But even if a person those who were not rescued, although they wanted to live and explanation of the Gemara’s words. A very great principle was
wants to work on rectifying three or four things and cannot devote felt death hovering above their heads and their hearts were on fire revealed to me, so that I saw before me a literally new Torah.
half an hour to each, he will see results if he devotes ten minutes to within them, they did not believe with a wholeness of faith that The stories of the Torah, the midrashim of our sages and the most
each. It will take much longer to reach perfection in these matters, Hashem wants to rescue them. Therefore, they did not entreat Him well-known stories about tzaddikim acquired a new complexion and
three times as long as it will take the person who devotes half an strongly and absolutely. As a result, their prayer did not have the a new meaning in my eyes. But it is not the learning that is of
hour. Certainly, even if—in addition to this half hour—he devotes a power to save them. principal importance. Most important, a practical way of serving
minute or two a day to a few other items, he will certainly progress Hashem opened up before me. This is in fact an old way—but for
and see changes there as well. That is considered a commitment Not to Grow Cold me it was very new.
to engage in the work of the will in the future. But a person who
wants to see quick results must increase the length of his prayers. Therefore, a person’s prayer mirrors his measure of faith, and This principle that I rediscovered is a very powerful practical
In particular, he should dedicate at least half an hour a day to the it is accepted in accordance with his measure of faith. Here we tool that may be used by everyone who seeks Hashem. I can testify
central issue that he wishes to rectify, because this half hour is a must be very careful. Many factors weaken our faith and prayer—in that I and my students who have employed this old-new approach
notable and pronounced amount of time that has the power to particular, they weaken our core faith that Hashem wants to save have seen very great changes in a short period of time. In areas
produce great results quickly. And on occasion, he will find time us. We need to know this and guard ourselves from these factors, where my students had been stuck, their lives began to move at an
to do more. because we mus not allow anything to weaken our prayer. astonishing rate, and they all acknowledged that they began to live
a new life.
Many people feel that, realistically speaking, they cannot get rid of Many times, a person’s familiarity with the teachings of the Torah
their bad habits, transgressions, cravings, addictions and bad traits. and the writings of the tzaddikim discourages him from crying out “I Will Retrieve from the Depths of the Sea”
Therefore, they despair of repenting. But know and understand and praying with absolute decisiveness. Even knowledge that is true
that the essence of repentance is intention and yearning, and all that and filled with faith deters him from attaining wholeness of faith. I will tell you how the One Who brings matters about, Who
heaven wants is that you intensify your intentions and yearnings. But it is forbidden to allow even such absolutely true knowledge to initiates each chain of events, caused this solution to be revealed
Deepen your desire until you succeed in doing the work of the will weaken our prayer in the slightest. to me. I was on my way to pay a shiva call to a couple whose son
for at least half an hour. Every new day, pray with intention until had drowned. My driver asked me sadly: “What possessed a person
you see a true, actual change in your life. For example, a person knows that Hashem is righteous and who didn’t know how to swim to go into the deep water? How
upright: “He is my Rock, and there is no injustice in Him” (Psalms could he do such a thing? If you don’t know how to swim, go up
92:16). He knows that everything is judged measure for measure. to your waist and stop there. Why do people play with their lives?”
If he was punished, that was certainly because of his sins, because I told him, “You are making a mistake. You aren’t looking at the
“Come to Heshbon” there is no suffering without sin. He was not stricken without reason. situation correctly. Such people aren’t so responsible for drowning.
Hashem does not condemn without justice. Therefore, he must do Their death is a decree from heaven. I am sure that there are
I have described Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s path, which is the complete teshuvah and examine his deeds. And therefore, he must people who didn’t go in deep water, yet who were carried away by
easiest, most wondrous and most complete way to attain a perfect accept the King’s decree with love and with thanks, and so forth. the water and drowned.” I have heard of a considerable number
rectification even while in this world. So what do you say? Is the of such cases. I have even heard about people who were excellent
investment worth it? Do you want to taste at least once the taste of All of these are wonderful aspects of wholeness of faith, and they swimmers against whom the heavenly decree was passed—as the