Tinyana 97 · תנינא צ״ז

I heard another thing in Rebbe Nachman’s name regarding the value of conversation with God. He said: All the damagers and accusers already know about the formal prayers, supplications and entreaties. They lie in wait on the routes of these prayers, because they are already familiar with them.

This can be likened to murderers and thieves, who always lurk on well-traveled public thoroughfares because these roads are already known to them. But when a person travels via a new path or route, one as yet unknown, it does not at all occur to them to set their ambush there.

It is the same with the aforementioned matter. A person’s private conversation with God is a new pathway and a new prayer, which he utters from his heart anew. Consequently, it is uncommon for the accusers to lie in wait there.

Even so, the Rebbe cautioned about also reciting the other supplications and entreaties, as is explained many times in our teachings.