307. He opened the discussion saying, "A song of ascents. They who trust in Hashem shall be like Mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abides forever" (Tehilim 125:1). This passage has been established, but these are holy supernal levels from the sides of supernal Gvurot THAT ARE IN BINAH. They are similar to the Levites below, who are THE ASPECT OF ascents, MEANING levels upon levels in the secret of fifty years OF WHICH IT IS WRITTEN, "AND FROM THE AGE OF FIFTY YEARS THEY SHALL GO OUT OF THE RANKS OF THE SERVICE" (BEMIDBAR 8:25), WHICH ALLUDES TO THE FIFTY GATES OF BINAH. This is, "A song of ascents. They who trust in Hashem shall be like Mount Zion," these are the righteous, who trust in Him BY MERIT of their GOOD deeds.
308. It is written, "But the righteous are bold as a lion" (Mishlei 28:1). HE QUESTIONS, The righteous do not depend upon their deeds at all and they are constantly in fear, like Abraham, as it is written of him, "And it came to pass, when he was come near to enter to Egypt... " (Beresheet 12:11). Like Isaac, of them it is written, "For he feared to say, 'She is my wife'" (Beresheet 26:7). As Jacob, of whom it is written, "Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed" (Beresheet 32:8). If they did not depend upon their deeds, certainly the other righteous of the world did not, yet you say, "But the righteous are bold as a lion."
309. HE ANSWERS, But certainly it is written, "as a lion (Heb. kfir)" (Mishlei 28:1), because of all the synonyms OF THE LION, only the name Kfir is used. That is the weakest and smallest of them all, who does not depend upon his strength even though he is strong, because the righteous do not depend upon their present deeds but rather like a Kfir. Though they know that the strength of their good deeds is strong, they do not depend on it, but are rather like a Kfir, and not more.
310. And therefore, it IS WRITTEN, "They who trust in Hashem shall be like Mount Zion... " not like a young lion and not like a lion and not like any OF HIS names, but rather "like Mount Zion." They explained that just as Mount Zion is firm and will never decline, IN THE TIME TO COME, they will also be like Mount Zion, not as now when they are only bold like a Kfir (young lion), who fears and does not trust his strength. And you, the children of supernal Holy Ones, your trust is certainly like Mount Zion. Fortunate are you in this and the next world.
311. They traveled on. When they reached the city, it became dark. Rabbi Shimon said, Just as this day shone upon us, so we will merit the World to Come, this night will also light us, so we shall merit the World to Come, and crown this night with the words that we said during the day before Atik Yomin. Such a perfect day is not to be found in all the other generations. Happy is our portion in this world and in the World to Come.
312. They entered the house of Rabbi Shimon. Rabbi Elazar and Rabbi Aba and Rabbi Yosi were with them, and they slept until midnight. At midnight, Rabbi Shimon said to the friends, Now is the time to crown the Holy Chariot above with our efforts. He said to Rabbi Yosi: Your words were not heard among us today. You shall be the first to illuminate the night because now is an auspicious time to illuminate above and below.