Rashi explains atheism to be a burden, as is hinted to in the words of Moshe Rabeinu.

Rabeinu explains that by traveling to the tzadik, one throws the burden of atheism off himself, because just taking the journey to the tzadik is in itself faith, the opposite of heresy.

38: Rabeinu explains that atheism has allowed people to speak against the true Tzadikim and those who fear G-d. This sort of atheism is truthfully directed against G-d, because of these people’s shame, they direct their words against the Tzadikim.

39: One must feel the pain of another individual, especially the pain of a community/the public, in his/her own heart.

To do this, you have to knock your head against the wall… meaning: strike your mind against the walls of the heart.

It is one thing to have da’at/consciousness and intellect, but true da’at exists in the heart. One must transfer that knowledge into the heart!

34: Emunah is considered like charity in G-d’s eyes. We see this from Avraham avinu…

35: Rabeinu gives a beautiful speech about how one must reinforce himself in faith, especially at the end of times. Rabeinu said that great atheism is coming down to the world, and this will be the main test before the coming of the Mashiach!

Rabeinu says that the fact that he and the prophets are informing us about this test before it happens will give some strength to the few simple and upright people at the end times…

36: “There will come a time when a simple, upright Jew will be as big as a novelty as the Baal Shem Tov.

32: Rabeinu continues discussing the subject of faith, giving us a parable to explain how the philosophical questions a person might have aren’t even questions at all…the question is in itself the answer!

33: Rabeinu says that the world doesn’t put enough emphasis on the subject of faith. They don’t consider it something important. For Rabeinu, emunah/faith is the essential!

31: One shouldn’t delay tefilla/prayer. We have to pray as early as possible!

32: One must reinforce himself with faith and faith alone! Through faith we can attain a level of Ratzon/will, desire for G-d that has no bounds or limits!

We must walk in the pathways of our ancestors who’ve emphasized having simple faith in G-d, and not falling into skepticism or philosophy.

“There’s a philosopher in every person’s heart: the evil inclination…”

Rabeinu ridiculed those who used to spend extra time in the bathroom trying to cleanse themselves for prayer, even when they didn’t need to use the restroom.

Rabeinu warns us not to nullify precious time with stringencies that are worthless!

The main thing is to pray immediately when you wake up. If you need to go to the bathroom, then go, if not then no!

27: Rabeinu teaches us not to panic when we study books and see how we should be serving G-d. The main thing is to go slowly, in proper measure, and to constantly yearn for G-d!

28: One should study all the books of our holy Torah. In the world to come, G-d will grant him the ability to remember everything he studied, and this person will be able to boast about all the holy books he studied in his lifetime!

29: Rabeinu warned us to study halacha/the codes of Jewish law,l more than any other book. No matter what, a person must study the Shulchan Aruch every single day without fail, even if it’s just one law.

The world sees forgetting as a big drawback, but Rabeinu Hakadosh sees it an awesome and great thing!

Rabeinu explains why forgetting is crucial in serving G-d and how it enables us to not be distracted by our dark past when we come to serve G-d in the present moment!

Forgetting one’s Torah is also very good for it renews one’s love and passion for the Torah one has already studied.

All the Torah we study in this world, even if we forgot it, we will remember in the world to come.

24: Rabeinu gives us a very beautiful parable describing the love between a father and his son. He then goes on to explain how giving tzedaka/charity to the tzadik actually draws the father (G-d) and the son (The Tzadik) to draw close to each other. Happy is the person who merits to give charity to the tzadik.

25: Thoughts, and how they exist in one’s mind, is one of G-d’s great wonders! Rabeinu delves into this idea and describes how it works when a person remembers something, and what happens as a catalyst of choosing to think a specific thought…

21: Rabeinu gives us a few pieces of advice on how we should conduct ourselves on the Day of Judgment, Rosh Hashana: thinking good thoughts, crying, being happy, and speaking very little on the first day.

22: One who holds himself close to a true tzadik will save himself in the time to come, when “the wicked will be shaken off the ends of the earth.”

23: People have pity on others in this world, but nobody understands how much compassion we need to have on our souls, for in the world to come, the only garments we have are the ones we create from the good actions we perform in this world.

18: Rabeinu speaks about how printing presses were becoming more common in their country and how many holy books were becoming available…

19: The importance of Torah study is indescribable. It has the ability to help a person escape his sinful ways, and even those sins he’s being doing for a long time.

Rabeinu also discusses the subjects of simplicity and happiness.

20: One can ONLY attain true joy if he does foolish acts and jokes (as long as they aren’t harmful or spiritually negative). Happiness is the most difficult service of all to attain!