[German Talmudist. He was born in Germany in 1270, and died in 1349 at Toledo where he was rabbi. He was a son of the great talmudic authority Asher b. Jehiel, known as the Rosh, and brother of Jacob, author of the famous code entitled Turim.]
Ethical and Moral Admonitions[209]
Take heed that ye belong not to the following four sects which will not see the Presence of God:
The Sect of Liars. Let no false and deceitful matter be found in you, but truth and faithfulness shall be the girdle of your loins. There was a man in our family, named Rabbi Eliakum, who was in the house of the governor, and was entrusted with everything. The governor boasted to his own people that this Eliakum never uttered any falsehood, whether he derived any benefit, or not. It is narrated that there was once a wicked man who committed all kinds of sins. One day he asked a wise man to teach him the way of repentance in an easy manner, and the latter said to him: ‘Refrain from telling lies.’ He went forth joyful and glad of heart, thinking that the wise man permitted him to walk in the stubbornness of his heart as heretofore. When he determined to steal, as had been his custom, he reflected: ‘What am I to do in case somebody asks me: “Whither art thou going?” If I tell the truth: “To steal,” I shall be arrested; if I tell a lie, I shall transgress the command of the wise man.’ In the same manner he reflected on all other sins, and repented with a perfect repentance.
The Sect of Scoffers. Be ye not scoffers, lest your bands be made strong,[210] and lest a fire consume your spirit. Guard yourselves against mockery and derision, for it is forbidden that a man should fill his mouth with laughter in this world. Be not merry on account of money, for this is likewise the way of robbers.
The Sect of Flatterers. Take heed that ye flatter not any man, and respect no person in judgment.
The Sect of Those that Talk Scandal. Be very much on your guard against this thing, for it leads to many sins; most men stumble over it. Our teachers of blessed memory said in tractate Baba Batra: ‘Most men are prone to robbery, few of them to incest, and all of them to slander.’[211] The last part is explained as referring to something which resembles slander. Our teachers of blessed memory also said: ‘Let no man talk of his friend’s merits, if he may thereby be led to blame him.’[212] To all such cases refers the saying: ‘I have not found for the body anything better than silence.’[213] A man should always think before speaking: if there is any profit in his speech, he should speak, otherwise he should be silent; how much more should he abstain from speaking, if there is harm in his speech!
Guard yourselves against pride, for every one that is proud is the abomination of the Lord. Pride is God’s garment, and he who makes use of the crown shall perish. A wise man has said: ‘How can a man be proud, having passed twice through the womb?’ Cling to humility, for it is the best of all qualities, and it is for this virtue that Moses our teacher, peace be upon him, was praised, as it is written: ‘And the man Moses was very meek.’[214] And our teachers of blessed memory said: ‘Be exceeding humble of spirit.’[215] Our teachers of blessed memory also said: ‘That which wisdom made a crown for its head did humility make a sandal for its heel.’[216]
Take care to honor every man, that ye may thereby be honored, as it is written: ‘For them that honor Me I will honor.’[217] Some people asked a wise man: ‘How is it that we always see thee honor every man?’ He replied: ‘I have not seen a man in whom I do not discover an advantage over me for which I should honor him. If he is old, I say: “This man performed more good deeds than I.” If he is rich, I say: “This man gave more alms than I.” If he is young, I say: “I committed more sins than he.” If he is poor, I say: “This man suffered pain.” If he is wiser than I, I honor him for his wisdom. If he is not wiser than I, I say: “His punishment is lighter than mine.”’ Hear this, and know it for yourselves.
Be also careful to love and respect him who reproves you. We thus read in the tractate ‘Arakin, in the chapter There Are Estimations: Rabbi Johanan says: ‘I call heaven and earth to testify against me that Akiba was beaten several times on account of me, because I used to complain against him to Rabban Gamaliel; and yet he loved me all the more for that, in order to fulfil that which is written: “Reprove a wise man, and he will love thee.”[218] A wise man has said: ‘Love him who reproves thee, and hate him who lauds thee; for he who reproves thee benefits thee, while he who lauds thee harms thee.’
Consider also that man is a sojourner on earth, his days are counted and he knows not their number; nor does he know when he will be summoned before the King of kings to render account and reckoning of all that he has done. He should therefore perform all the good deeds he can; and let no commandment be too small in his sight, for there is no limit to its reward. In the world to come, when the Lord, who is blessed, pays the righteous their reward, the righteous man will ask: ‘Why do I get such a reward?’ and it will be said unto him: ‘Because thou performedst such and such a good deed on such and such a day.’ Whereupon he will sigh, saying: ‘For such a small thing I get such a great reward! Woe to the days that I wasted, in which I did not occupy myself with good deeds.’ The wise man should therefore take heed not to waste an hour of his life, but should occupy himself with good deeds, and continually meditate in the fear of the Lord and in His service.
