Siman 569

(126.) I heard from Rabbainu o.b.m. that through innovating in Torah — one does a very great favor for one's father and mother. Rabbainu o.b.m. told me — that he spoke with someone who was greatly complaining to him about the multitude of his ugly deeds. For this person very much desired to draw close to Hashem Yisburach and leave his evil ways — but each time they overpowered him more and more — until many years passed and he did not merit to leave his evil... ...who very much desired to draw close to Hashem Yisburach and leave his evil ways — but each time they overpowered him more and more — until many days and years passed and he did not merit to leave what he needed to leave. And even so he strengthened himself exceedingly, and each time strove to draw close to Hashem Yisburach. And he complained very, very much before him of blessed memory about the muddying of his deeds, G-d save us. And Rabbainu of blessed memory answered him with his wisdom, in completeness and in simplicity: "I have no one to speak with — for he is already entirely evil." And immediately the aforementioned man was aroused, and answered and said to Rabbainu of blessed memory: "But with all this I sometimes strengthen myself to draw upon myself the holiness of Israel etc." Rabbainu of blessed memory answered and said to him: "That is little of little." And immediately he said to him, that he should accustom himself to go with the discourse "I will sing to my G-d while I am alive" etc. [Likutay Tinyana, Torah 148]. All this Rabbainu of blessed memory told me. And I understood his holy intention: that specifically through this he revived the man. For he had already fallen so much in his own eyes that it was impossible to revive him with anything — only when he said to him that he was entirely evil, then he was aroused in himself, and began to feel a little the holiness of the good points that were still found in him. And then he said to him that he should go with the discourse "Azamra" etc., as mentioned. (Laws of the First of the Fleece, Law 4, marking 6.)