840. Quick Nearing

One does not enter the work of the left, called “trouble,” unless during an ascent. At that time, he enters the left, meaning while he is still not in a descent.

“Rabbi Elazar said, ‘One should always precede trouble with prayer’” (Sanhedrin 44b). This means that even when one is in a state of ascent, he must ask the Creator to bring him closer with another, greater nearing, so he will advance in the work. If he feels no deficiency, he cannot advance. This is why he is given a descent from above, so he will have a lack. A descent is called “trouble,” and then he prays.

Hence, there is an advice: Before the trouble comes to him, he already prays.