meta: {"file": "/data/tomer/Sefaria-Export/txt/Halakhah/Sefer Chasidim/English/merged.txt"}
text: Sefer Chasidim
  ספר חסידים
  merged
  
  This file contains merged sections from the following text versions:
  -Sefer Hasidim 158
  -
  -Introduction
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  -Sefaria Community Translation
  -
  
  Sefer Chasidim
  
  
  
  
  
  This work is entitled Sefer Hasidim [The Book of the Pious]. Its words are sweet and loving. The book was written for all those who fear God and meditate on his words, for a pious one whose heart holds great love for God and attempts to heed all his words, but does not know how to place this love on all things in the world, nor does he know about which things he should be careful or how actually to listen to all of God’s words. This is the case for some due to a weak heart in the service of God, because there are pious men who place many things on their heart and listen to the word of God and there are pious men who do very little. If they knew and understood the ways of the pious, then they would indeed do a great many good deeds like the pious ones who do a great many good deeds. The title of this book therefore is Sefer Hasidim, so that all those who fear God and want to return to him know and understand what they need to do in order to become close to him and what they should not do. This work was not written for evil men, for if they understood what they were doing they would see that all their deeds are indeed nothing and futile. About them Solomon in his great wisdom wrote- “Speak not in the ears of the fool, for he will scorn the intelligence of your words (Proverbs, 23-9). Solomon, who composed the book of Proverbs, did not compose it for evil men, for even if he had spoke to them directly with all his wisdom it would not have served any purpose. Rather, Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs for the righteous people, ones who cling to the ways of God, so that they will see and understand as it is written- “For the ways of God are straight, the righteous walk in them and the sinners will stumble over them” (Hosea 14-10). We learn from this that the ways of righteousness, humility and fear are stumbling blocks to the wicked and an elevation for the righteous.
  
  
  
  And so said the author of this book, the one who compiled the words of piety, humility and fear, each of them present in the book that I have contemplated and comprehended due to my mentors and teachers, because it is proper for all G-d fearing people to instruct their offsprings and students and all People of Israel as to how to fulfill the Will of our Creator, blessed be His Name and extolled be the mention of Him. And so are the teachings of His words: to describe Him using attributes relevant to those of a human of flesh and blood in order to penetrate human hearts of flesh to make it understood to the human ear, open their unseeing eyes and make their uncircumcised hearts comprehend. And so it is stated in the Torah: "His voice is like that of multiple waters... Hashem like a lion shall roar". And so He would appear to His creations: "His eyes like doves..." and the like... "His legs like pillars of marble..." - and all this only in order to make it understood to the human ear.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A moon in eclipse is a bad omen for Israel therefore one should keep a fast for behold a person keeps a fast on account of a dream, all the more so should he do so on account of all People of Israel.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It is forbidden to tear clothes or break vessels in anger because he who breaks a vessel in his anger it is as if he worships idolatry for such is the way of the evil inclination: at first it tells you to do thus, and the next day it tells you to go and worship idols and one goes and does so.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If you fear lest you have regrets - let your "no" precede your "yes", because a no after a yes is very detestable. And if you said "yes" twice - keep your word.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If suddenly a mitzvah comes your way - rejoice, praise and give thanks to the Holy One, Blessed be He for the fact that He directed it your way for you to perform it.
  
  
  
  A person shouldn't inscribe notes on a holy book because it has holiness to it whereas they have not and all the more so one shouldn't brush his hair even over a part of it.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Never should a person rely on miracles fot it is possible that they won't perform a miracle for him and even if they will - could be that they'll diminish his merits on account of this. Greater is merit of the one who is handsome and overpowers his evil inclination than that of the one who is not (handsome) for (the latter) is not (well) accepted amongst women.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If you are arguing with a wise man don't be distressed if he took the upper hand because he possesses scholarship and thus you add to your knowledge. If you take the upper hand what will you gain? However if he won the argument you only gained because now you know what you didn't know before this.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If a person [suggested translation:  brings suspicion against himself] got himself to be suspected[,] he should pardon [forgive] all (those) who (came to) suspect him, because (it is) he (who caused this) [brought this upon] himself.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One shouldn't enter Shabbos while inflicted by fast, instead he should taste something prior to candle lighting and if it was an obligatory fast he should make a compensation.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  When you pray, use those tunes that are pleasant and sweet in your eyes…which will draw your heart after what is spoken from your mouth. For supplication, use a tune that readies the heard. For praise, use a tune that gladdens the heart, so that your mouth be filled with a love and joy for the One Who Sees your heart. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There was one wise man who commanded his son that he shouldn't derive too much pleasure from this World and no eight days should pass for him without a fast and that even for his enemy he should pray that he should serve the Holy One, blessed be He.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There was an incident with a young woman who would not adorn herself. They said to her: "Whoever will see you will not take you for a wife  because you do not adorn yourself" She replied: "Just because the Holy one Blessed be He is engaged in matchmaking - I do not worry about it." And it came to pass that she was taken for a wife by a Torah scholar who was a tsadik.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One should not travel with a wicked person neither on the same road, nor on the same ship lest he be damaged on his account. Don't hang around with a wicked person who causes damage to many (neither on a road nor on a ship) as is written "... So that you won't perish because of their wicked deeds" (Bemidbar 16:26)
  
  
  
  If a simple person unintentionally made profit in a prohibited way because he got deluded by his heart (without intent) - he shouldn't mix it with his (other) money as is stated "Will you even destroy the righteous with the wicked?" 
  
  
  
  One man who gambled with his fellow with dices won and the one who lost went and stole a wooden piece used for playing like one called "tsahekes shkeki" and the like... Thereafter he went forth and won off the sum he previously lost. (Later on) he posed the question whether any guilt lies on him (for what he had done). The answer he got was: "One who steals from a thief tastes a taste of theft himself. Furthermore (the very actions of yours) proved that you got despaired  of your money. However where one saves his property from a robber it is allowed for him to take immediate legal action on the spot (and this is how you should have acted)".
  
  
  
  Anyone who lends money to rulers who engage in libels - it is as if he robs Israel because if he lends it the ruller might tell him "Give me back my security and believe me (even without it) And if not I'll go capture a jew!". And it can end up with the ruller making an oath (in the name of idolatry).
  
  
  
  A person should always weigh money or count it prior to giving or taking it even though (his partners) are trustworthy because it may come to pass that money will be partially lost without one's knowledge or another person will take it in the interim. It comes out that if one doesn't weigh or count money in the first place - they might come to suspect each other in stealing (in case something is missing).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If a person was in a synagogue and saw through a window a house of idolatry or an idol or a graven image - he should place something in the window in order to block their view.
  
  
  
  There was one man in a village who needed a willow branch and he didn't find so beautiful a willow branch as in a yard of idolatry by water. A wise person said to him: you'd better take the one which is not so beautiful rather than that beautiful one from the yard because you will not find grace (if you take the latter).
  
  
  
  There was not much water in one town in order to suffice for immersion however that place was broad and attractive for jews to settle there. A wise person said to them: "For the reason that thieves use that water - it is not proper for women to immerse there. And if one happens to immerse in that water knives or metal or glass utensils - it's not good to recite a blessing to G-d's name".
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There was an incident involving a gentile who was sitting with a sad countenance. His fellow said to him: "Why are you so bitter?" He returned: "I saw in a dream a rider on a red horse that was standing by an elevated platform". The fellow replied that this means that he will speedily pass away on a bed. The dream reader asked him that if he gives him to drink he will buy off his dream from him. He said: "I shall give you to drink on condition that my dream will be sold off to you." And his fellow accepted it whereupon the man give him to drink." On the next day the dream reader died. One man was deathly ill where another one was making fun, so he said "Sell me your disease and give me such and such" He said: "I will give it to you". Immediately this one rose up and this one took ill and died.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One who is about to die should have beside him people, discussing words of Torah with him so that his soul will depart with the words of Torah and so they did to Rabbi Eliezer.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There is a night when the souls come out of their graves, like on the eve of Hoshana Rabba, when they come out and pray. And two people already went and hid themselves in the graveyard and heard that one was calling to her friend: Let us go and pray together! All of the souls came out and prayed and asked for mercy so that death would not be decreed upon the living, and those who will die that they return from their evil ways, and that they die through minor illness, and about every matter of the living and the dead; and about themselves, to quickly remove judgement from upon them and from upon others - and they told their congregation. The next year on the eve of Hoshana Rabba, two others went and only one virgin didn't come out of the grave, who had died last week. They said: Come out! She said: I cannot, because my father was rich and lost his possessions and buried me without clothing. And they heard that some of the souls said we will not gather together because two have already revealed us to many. Rather, each one of us will pray in the grave, so that the living will not hear and tell the nation. And they became angry at the father and took clothing and clothed that virgin. And when a shroud decays it does not hold back the soul for behold despite body's decay the soul rests in the bones although it departs from dead body as is known that (sorcerers) who raise a spirit bring it by means of dust that absorbed from the dead. It happened that one man didn't see his head's shadow on Hoshana Rabbah's night, so he and his loving ones fasted numerous fasts and gave a lot to tzedakah and lived many years after that as is said "Tzedakah saves from death".
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Gentiles who name their children after their fathers - it is not objectionable. However Jewish people take care not to do so. And there are places where they don't name their children after those who are alive rather they give them names of those who already passed away.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A person should not utter anything from his mouth unless he knows that this is favorable to his Creator, and if this is so:  "You will decide and this will be granted you" (Iyov 22:28)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If a person was walking along the road close to which there was mud, and he encountered a man under a burden - he should step back and let the man under a burden pass. And even if the man carrying a burden was a gentile, for it is written: "And find favor and good apprehension in the eyes of G-d and man" (Mishlei 3, 4). And it is better that you acquiesce  to another person than he will acquiesce to you.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A father who commends his son to give a bill of divorce to his wife, and he did not find any iniquity in her, but wants this just for no reason - his son is not obligated to hearken to his word if the woman is good and does not angry neither her husband, nor his father and mother.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Great in power we did not find Him, meaning He did not overburden Israel with mitzvot. And if you will object "How about regulations about theft and forbidden sexual relations?" (The answer is) even if these laws were not written down one would have to keep them, otherwise the world would not be able to stand, for behold, rams and roosters wedge battles for females, so would people kill each other for this matter. And so a father should not command his son to perform an exacting or tiresome task, likewise a teacher should not act in the like manner towards his student lest they fail to accomplish the task and it will come out that (father or teacher) caused him to sin. And so a father should not leave to many possessions as inheritance to his son unless he does so for Heaven's sake.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One who left the city where there are his father and mother and he is going to a dangerous place. And his parents keep a fast or experience anguish even without a fast - it is a mitzvah for the son, if he is able to, to immediately hire a messenger and send a written note that he left the dangerous place and arrived to the place he wanted to go to, so that they will not fast or experience anguish anymore.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If there were two people in a city, say, Ruben and Shimon and Shimon was accustomed to honoring Ruben, he should not let Shimon honor him by doing something that would be embarrassing for Shimon, for instance if this was not the way of Shimon  to bring water from a well. And even if for Shimon it is fine whereas for his family it is an embarrassment - Ruben should not let Shimon honor him. 
  
  
  
  There was one person who was wealthy and his son was wealthy as well. And the father was stingy about his food and drink. A wise person told the son "Even though you father has wealth - seeing that your father is stingy give him honor and feed him and give him to drink from your own and also clothe him"
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If it will come to pass that a person who doesn't know   holy tongue (lashon ivri) will come to you and he is a heaven fearing person who wants to pray with intent or if a woman will come to you - tell them that they should learn how to pray in the language they understand, because prayer requires understanding in one's heart, on the contrary if one's heart does not understand what one utters with his mouth - of what use will this be to him... That's why it is better that one prays in the language he understands.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  They said: a tsadik takes his portion in Eden and the portion of a sinner, while as for Gehinom - a sinner takes his portion and that of a tsadik. A tsadik gets saved from an adversity while a sinners encounters it instead of him.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It once happened that a certain hasid asked the question in a dream “who will be my neighbor in the World-To-Come? And it was shown to him a certain man in place two days journey away. So he got himself ready and went to search out and find the man. When he got close to the place of the man he asked about him, and the whole world wondered why the Hasid would want to see such a villainous man. This made the Hasid sad, but still, he went to the house of the man. When the hasid arrived, the man came out of his house incredibly angry and struck the hasid on his face, and pulled down the hasid’s pants. The man said to the hasid, “Enter if you like.” And the man and his friends mocked the hasid. The hasid payed no attention and entered the room adjacent to the bordello. That night all the prostitutes of the town entered the room next to where the hasid was and drank wine until they became intoxicated, and the man danced before them all night until they passed out. The hasid saw all of this and cried. The next day the hasid prepared to return home, but before he left he asked the man, “On your life, tell me if you have ever done good in your days, because I saw in a dream that you are sitting next to me in the Garden of Eden, yet you do all of this licentiousness. How can it be that you will sit with me? The man said to the hasid, “All that you I have done that you have seen is for the good. I only make it appear that I am licentious, I offer prostitutes a higher price to come with me, and they think I will spend the night with them when they are drunk, what’s more, I tell my mother to come in at night and pull me out by the hair, so if the prostitutes ask, ‘Why did you not sleep with us?’ I can reply, ‘You know that my mother beats me.’ And this is how I prevent licentiousness among Hebrew women.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A father and a son came to a city whereupon the farher commanded his son that during the time he will be reading The Torah he shouldn't get down on his knees and go kiss the Torah for there were many people there who didn't have sons and he commanded so in that he won't cause them distress.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There was a certain person who set up a claim against his fellow and said to him "Why did you say things about me that you didn't see, and also you said that I hang around with evil people and I did go with them and laughed with them...?'' The other one replied: "Now you have just testified against yourself concerning your deeds and thoughts."
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A man who sought to perform a mitzvah and it turned out to be a transgression and the case is such that he didn't have anyone to take counsel with - gets a reward like Lot's daughters, however if there was someone to consult and he did not - he gets punished like Uziyahu and Yiftach who was unwilling to inquire as regards his vow in order to rescue his daughter.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There was an incident where they asked a pious man: "How did you merit longevity?" And he replied: "Never did I return insult to a person who cursed or embarrassed me, instead I would be patient with him and forgive anyone who would cause me distress"
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  There was an incident: one jew traveled to a distant place and saw in a night dream another jew whom they weighed on heavenly scales: he was put on one side of the scales whereas his sins were put on the other side. As a result his sins outweighed and they said to him that seeing that his sins outweighed he has no portion in the World to Come. After that came in another ones and said: "You didn't weigh correctly!" And they put on that man fox skins and other skins so the man outweighed and they declared that he does have a portion in the World to Come. The man who saw this in his dream thought that the man was alive whereas in fact the man whom they weighed was already dead by that moment. They said: those skins that were put on him were the ones he gave as a tax as is written: "... (I will make) your rullers righteousnes (Yeshayahu 60). When a congregation sees fit to impose a tax and one gives it in good faith - it is thought to be a tzedakah for them. An as for the body that they weighed it is written: "You were weighed on the scales and found wanting" (Daniel 5). Alternative explanation: ... in the merit of the fact that he strived with his body to perform good deeds.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If two people are sitting and enemies wish to kill one of them, if one is a scholar and the other an regular (unlearned) man, it is a mitzvah for the unlearned man to say, "Kill me and not my friend" like Rabbi Reuben ben Itzroboli who requested that they kill Jim and not Rabbi Akiva for the multitudes needed Rabbi Akiva [for his Torah learning]
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One must not cause a person to not die rapidly, for example if one was <i>goses</i>, and there was one close to that house chopping wood, and the neshomoh is unable to exit - they must remove the chopper from there, and they must not put salt on his tongue, in order that he will not die. But if he is <i>goses</i> and says that he is unable to die until they put him in another place – they must not move him from there. Even though they (the Rabbis) said: “A <i>goses</i> person – they must not move him from his place”,  if there is a fire, they must not leave him in the house, and they must take him out.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One who washes a dead person should take great care not to leave any dirt on him and so the one who takes care of a grave and puts him down should see to it that no earth dirt is present on a dead man's face because it may cause him embarrassment before other souls for they have a body-like appearance.  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One who is sitting beside a sick person at the time that he is about to pass away and there is no other person who is knowledgable in how to take care of a dead person (e.g. defining the time when his soul comes out, how to straighten his limbs, close his eyes, etc.) - he himself should do it. And when the time of prayer arrives - he shouldn't leave that place in order to pray.
  
  
  
  A town in which two people passed away - they first take out the first one lest they be unable to take care of both of the two simultaneously. If all this happens on Friday (which is Shabbos eve) they don't prolong eulogizing the first person lest they be unable to engage in burying the second one during the day. And if there is a concern that the second one will swell and burst - they should burry the second one first.
  
  
  
  A person whose father or mother or wife's father took ill and agonize - he shouldn't attend to them (lest his actions result in a faster death).
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A person should not go outside the synagogue untill all prayers are finished unless he needs to relieve himself or feels like he is going to throw up.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It is not proper for a young woman to go to a synagogue in the dark or to linger so that she will have to go out while it's dark outside. It's much better if she takes leave when there's daylight unless she is accompanied by her husband or brother.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  He (a Jewish person) whose wife is pregnant and entered the ninth month should pray that his wife won't have to give birth on Shabbat so they won't have to desecrate it and so it is regarding his daughter or daughter-in-law. There was one person who would pray an afternoon minchah prayer on Shabbat eve that fire won't break out in his house on Shabbat and his wife won't have to give birth on Shabbat.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One who has a nut in his hand should not recite a blessing on it before he splits it open for perhaps the nut is wormy or rotten inside and thus the blessing would be recited in vain.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One who wants to drink shouldn't first recite a blessing and then pour into a vessel rather he should first pour into a vessel and then recite a blessing if he wants to drink from it.
  
  
  
  If one is thirsty or hungry while his hands are unclean he should first clean them and afterwards drink or eat as is written: "Lift your hands in holiness and bless Hashem".
  
  
  
  On Motzei Shabbat one should not take a piece of wood called "Kihan" in german in order to burn it and recite a blessing on it because its smell is bad whereas one needs something fragrant for this purpose as is written in Sefer Hatshuvot.
  
  
  
  If there's a pregnant woman who is in the ninth month of pregnancy it is proper to insulate hot water for her on shabbos eve before it gets dark, hence if she gives birth on shabbos night or day there will be hot water ready for her and no shabbos desecration will be necessary.
  
  
  
  One should not leave a key attached to his belt on Friday lest he forget it there and will come to carry it, also no money should be left in one's garment for the same reason.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One who has the amount of food sufficient for two (shabbos) meals should not divide it for three meals if he will not be satiated at either meal rather he should eat two meals - either one by night and one by day or two meals by day.
  
  
  
  All days of a poor person are bad and even Sabbaths and festivals because he suffers from change of routine diet however "he who has a joyful heart has a continual fast" meaning that in so doing he will not come to have his heart saddened (by a changing diet) but rather his heart will be a joyful one.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  One should not undertake a fast on Shabbos on account of the fact that he saw financial damage in his dream except if he saw in his dream something on account of which it is permitted to desecrate Shabbos.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Yakov who has two sons - one who lends his seforim to people willingly whereas the second one lends in no good will - should give a present (if he wishes to do so) to the one who lends willingly and goodness shall rest on him.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  If candle fat dripped on a sefer one should not return it back to the candle.
  
  
  
  If it happened that on a holiday (yom tov) ink or any other liquid fell on seforim so that it got on the place where text is written one should not lick it off with a tongue or wash it off with water because in doing so he performs erasing.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  It is proper that the prayer of a prayer leader should be fluent in his mouth like in a case of R. Chanina ben Dosa of whom it is said that whenever his prayer was fluent in his mouth this indicated Heaven's benevolence.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Why did Nevuchadnezar succeed and the host of heaven did according to his will? Because Hashem changed names of angels during the Temple's destruction in order to prevent their invocation.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  The Holy one blessed be He judges a man only together with upper host and if you will object that our sages of blessed memory said: "No one judges alone, but He'' - one can answer that this refers to judging a nation or a king. And if The Holy one blessed be He pronounces verdict there's no one to retort as is written: "He is one and who will answer him" (Yov 23:13)
  
  
  
  The Serpent was walking on two and he had semblance slightly similar to that of a man. You should know that those who are able to turn a man into a wolf, a cat or a donkey - his eyeball does not change and so the serpent who underwent a change - his eyes did not change. Therefore one who miscarried and the fetus had a form of a snake - the mother is ritually impure as one who gave birth because his eyeballs are similar to those of a man.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  A sinning soul will perish and repentance helps but does not fully annul decree but rather pushes off tribulation so that it will not hasten to come and so repentance is effective for soul to bring her to the World to Come