Likutay Moharan - Volume 2 - Torah-teaching 101

Through Reciting Tikkun Chatzos One Can Express His Conversation

He said: Through reciting Tikkun Chatzos [midnight lament], one can express his conversation, all that is in his heart, like through hisbodidus [secluded prayer]. For presumably, one does not recite Tikkun Chatzos for the past, and the essence of reciting Tikkun Chatzos is for what is happening now with the person. And when one recites Tikkun Chatzos in this aspect, one can find all that is in his heart within the recitation of Tikkun Chatzos. And similarly, the recitation of Psalms and the like, one must see to find himself within all the Psalms and within all the supplications, requests, and forgivenesses, and the like. And with ease, in simplicity, without sophistries, one can find himself within all the supplications and requests, and especially in Psalms, which were said for the sake of all Israel, for each and every individual. And every person, all the battles of the evil inclination that are upon him, and all that happens to him, all is explained and expressed in Psalms, for its essence was said regarding the battles of the evil inclination and its forces, which are the main enemies and haters of a person who seek to prevent him from the path of life and to bring him down to the lowest depths, Heaven forbid, if he does not guard himself from them. And only for this matter of battle was the entire Book of Psalms established. For the essence, entirety, root, and foundation of all the counsels to draw close to Hashem [G-d] is only the recitation of Psalms and other supplications and requests and hisbodidus to express his conversation between himself and his Creator, to request from before Him that He bring him close to His service. And only through this does one merit to win the battle, if he is very strong and steadfast always to supplicate and pray and plead before Hashem constantly, whatever his state may be. Then certainly he will win the battle, fortunate is he. Thus we understood from the words of our master, of blessed memory, for even though there are many good counsels in the books of our master, of blessed memory, which are full of counsels to draw close to Hashem, nevertheless, generally, it is difficult for a person to fulfill the counsel itself. Therefore, the essence is prayers, supplications, and requests, whatever his state may be. At least he should speak with his mouth in whatever aspect he is and request from Hashem constantly that He bring him out from darkness to light and return him in complete repentance in truth. And he should not give Him rest until He answers him. And even though he calls and cries to Hashem for a very long time and is still very, very far, nevertheless, if he is strong and steadfast in prayers and requests, certainly in the end, Hashem will answer him and bring him close to His service in truth, certainly without doubt, only be strong and steadfast. And as our Sages, of blessed memory, said: "Prayer needs strengthening, as it is written: ‘Hope to Hashem, be strong and let your heart be steadfast, and hope to Hashem’ [Psalms 27:14]. And Rashi explained: And if your prayer is not accepted, return and hope, and so forever, until Hashem looks and sees from heaven. And this has already been explained in our words several times, but one must repeat and reiterate this and remember this every single day, for there are many, many types of weaknesses and confusions regarding this without measure, which the mouth cannot speak and the heart cannot conceive. Therefore, one must repeat this thousands of times so that he may be strengthened and steadfast to stand firm to pray and plead before Hashem constantly that He bring him close to His service, whatever his state may be. "Let our heart be lifted to our palms, to G-d in heaven, for Hashem will not forsake His people, and His inheritance He will not abandon" [Psalms 94:14].