always near me, and I often spoke to Him as I might to Reb
Sender

If I caught myself slurring over some of my prayers or speaking ill
of another boy or telling a falsehood, I would say to Him, audibly:
"Oh, forgive me once more. You know that I want to be good. I
will be good.

I know I will."

Sometimes I would continue to plead in this manner till I broke
into sobs.

At other times, as I read my Talmud, conscious of His approval of
me, tears of bliss would come into my eyes

I loved Him as one does a woman.

Often while saying my prayers I would fall into a veritable
delirium of religious infatuation. Sometimes this fit of happiness
and yearning would seize me as I walked in the street

"O Master of the World! Master of the Universe! I love you so!" I
would sigh. "Oh, how I love you!"

I also had talks with the Evil Spirit, or Satan. He, too, was always
near me. But he was always trying to get me into trouble

"You won't catch me again, scoundrel you," I would assure him
with sneers and leers. Or, "Get away from me, heartless