Notebook (Gaster Hebrew MS 2054)

The people have toil and trouble in the way of God, and no matter how much they suffer in this path for a time... the King and the Giving Creator.

Know, O friend, that the work has fallen upon us, and whoever falls into this path... is not always ignorant of his own work... he creates a separation between himself and another. The sign of servitude is exactly this: that he has stepped into this path and makes no distinction between himself and God. He must know that the root of the work is intention, and action and knowledge without action... whatever comes out from behind the curtain in this path appears all from the light of God.

Our goal is not to remain in the work, for we said that in this path, one must become severed from everything and remain in the bond of the Lord within the soul. And how much speech comes to the fore regarding the bond of servitude... know that our work is difficult, and there have been many who traveled this path... and one in every ten people approaches the destination, and the rest all remain stranded in the middle of the way. Whoever knows that the work is with Him, surely they will keep him awake and bring him near to the destination, and cut his ties with others. They perform actions with sincerity, and no one should be neglectful of the remembrance of God, for God is with the servant in all states. Whoever is with Him, He will guide him to good works. Know... and everyone in the world who is occupied with a task will eventually become weary of that task and in the end will become regretful. It is not like that person who works on the path of Truth, and every moment that a heart connects to the Truth, forgiveness reaches him from the side of the Truth and the Forgiving. Whoever is accompanied by good fortune... will never go on the path of error, for he has a guide in the work... and He will guide his works toward good.

Know, O friend, that in this path... you must not give way to anything but the Truth in your heart, and you must be in the midst with God. Know that in this path, no matter how much trouble comes upon you... do not be disobedient, neither by day nor by night. Perform good works correctly and know that the path of God... not everyone has a path to this way. Until you pass by your soul and wealth, you will not reach this station. Know that whoever has stepped into this path with an awake heart...