אֲבָל מִנְהֲגֵי אוֹהֲבֵי ה׳ יִתְבָּרַךְ רַבִּים מִסְּפֹר אַךְ אֶזְכֹּר מֵהֶם מָה שֶׁיִּזְדַּמֵּן לִי, The good practices of those who love G-d are too numerous to enumerate. Nevertheless, I will mention of them a few that occur to me.
וְהוּא שֶׁהָאֲנָשִׁים יָדְעוּ אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וְהִכִּירוּ חֶפְצוֹ בָּהֶם וְהַנְהָגָתוֹ אוֹתָם וְכִי הוּא מְנַהֲלָם וּמְכַלְכְּלָם וּמָשְׁלוֹ וֶאֱסָרוֹ בְּכָל מָה שֶׁנָּתַן לָהֶם רְשׁוּת לְהִתְעַסֵּק בּוֹ וְלִבְחֹר אוֹתוֹ מֵעִנְיְנֵי הַתּוֹרָה וְהָעוֹלָם. These men know their G-d (see Gate 1), and they recognize what He wants from them, and that He guides them, maintains them and provides for them, and that everything religious or secular which He gave them permission and free will to do is still under His control and bound by His rule.
וְנִתְבָּרֵר לָהֶם וְהֶאֱמִינוּ כִּי כָל עִנְיְנֵיהֶם וּתְנוּעוֹתֵיהֶם נוֹהֲגִים בִּגְזֵרַת הַבּוֹרֵא יִתְעַלֶּה וְחֶפְצוֹ. וְאָז עָמְדוּ מִבְּחֹר בְּעִנְיָן מֵעִנְיְנֵיהֶם יוֹתֵר מִזּוּלָתוֹ וּבָטְחוּ עַל הַבּוֹרֵא שֶׁיִּבְחַר לָהֶם הַטּוֹב וְהַנָּכוֹן מֵהֶם. It has become clear to them and they believe that all of their affairs and movements proceed according to the decree and desire of the Creator. Therefore they no longer prefer to be in a different situation than the one they are in, and they trust in the Creator, that He will choose the best and most proper situation for them.
וְכַאֲשֶׁר הִתְבָּרֵר לָהֶם מִן הַתּוֹרָה כִּי הוּא מַזְהִיר עַל עִנְיְנֵי הַמִּצְוֹת וּמְצַוֶּה עַל בְּחִירַת עֲבוֹדַת הַבּוֹרֵא וּמְרַשֵּׁל מִבְּחִירַת הַתַּעֲנוּגִים וּמוֹנֵעַ מֵהֶם, עָמְדוּ בִּבְחִירָתָם בַּמָּקוֹם שֶׁהֶעֱמִידָם לִכְלוֹת אֵלָיו וְלִכְסֹף לִרְצוֹנוֹ בְּלִבָּם וּבְמַצְפּוּנָם וְחָדְלוּ מִכְּסֹף לָעוֹלָם וְלִרְהָבָיו. בְּכָל לְבָבָם וּבְכָל נַפְשָׁם מְצַפִּים הָעֵזֶר וְהָאֹמֶץ מִמֶּנּוּ לְהָקִים מַחְשַׁבְתָּם בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ וּלְהַשְׁלִים הַמַּעֲשֶׂה בְּמָה שֶׁבָּחֲרוּ מִמִּצְוֹתָיו. When it became clear to them from the torah, that G-d exhorts them on fulfilling the mitzvot (precepts), commands them to choose the service of the Creator, and warns them to avoid choosing after bodily pleasures, but rather abstain from them - they chose to follow what He wants, namely, to long for Him, to yearn to do His will in their hearts and inner being. In their hearts and souls, they ceased yearning for this world and its enchantments, but they hope to receive help and strength from Him in order to achieve their ambition in His service, and to complete the work they have chosen in fulfilling His commandments.
וּמָה שֶׁיָּצָא מֵהֶם אֶל גֶּדֶר הַמַּעֲשֶׂה יְשַׁבְּחוּ הָאֵל עָלָיו וְיוֹדוּהוּ בַּעֲבוּרוֹ וְהוּא מְשַׁבֵּחַ לָהֶם הִשְׁתַּדְּלוּתָם וּבְחִירָתָם. וּמָה שֶׁלֹּא יוּכְלוּ לְהַרְאוֹת בּוֹ מַחְשַׁבְתָּם מִפְּנֵי חֲלִישׁוּתָם מֵהַשִּׂיגוֹ, יִתְנַצְּלוּ לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים מִמֶּנּוּ וְיִבְחֲרוּ בַּעֲשׂוֹתוֹ בְּעֵת שֶׁיּוּכְלוּ וּמְיַחֲלִים לָעֵת שֶׁיְּזַמְּנֵהוּ הַבּוֹרֵא בְּעֶזְרָתוֹ וְיִתְחַנְּנוּ אֵלָיו עַל זֶה בְּנֶפֶשׁ זַכָּה וְלֵב נֶאֱמָן וְיִהְיֶה זֶה תַּכְלִית מַאֲוַיָּם וְקֵץ מִשְׁאֲלוֹתָם מֵאֱלֹהִים, כמ״ש דָּוִד ע״ה (תהלים קיט) אַחֲלַי יִכֹּנוּ דְרָכָי לִשְׁמֹר חֻקֶּיךָ, וִישַׁבֵּחַ הַבּוֹרֵא בְּחִירָתָם בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ אֲפִלּוּ אִם יִמָּנַע מֵהֶם קִיּוּם הַמַּעֲשֶׂה כְּמוֹ שֶׁאָמַר דָּוִד (מלכים א ח׳:י״ח) יַעַן אֲשֶׁר הָיָה עִם לְבָבְךָ לִבְנוֹת בַּיִת לִשְׁמִי הֱטִיבֹתָ כִּי הָיָה עִם לְבָבֶךָ. For what they have accomplished, they will praise and thank G-d for it, and G-d will praise them for their efforts and choice. And for what they were not able to accomplish of their ambitions, due to their weakness in reaching it, they excuse themselves before G-d, and will resolve to do it when they will be more capable. They hope to the time when the Creator will help them to do it, and they will beseech Him on this with a pure soul and a faithful heart. This is their greatest desire, and final wish from G-d, as David said: "My hope is that my ways be established, to keep Your statutes" (Tehilim 119:5). And the Creator will praise their choice of His service, even if they are prevented from fulfilling the acts, as He said to David "Since it was in your heart to build a house unto My name, you did well that it was in your heart" (Melachim 8:18).
וְעָזְבוּ עִנְיְנֵי עוֹלָמָם וְהַנְהָגַת גּוּפֵיהֶם בְּלִבּוֹתָם וּמַחְשְׁבוֹתָם וְהִתְעַסְּקוּ בָּהֶם בְּחוּשֵׁיהֶם הַגּוּפִיִּים בְּעֵת הַצֹּרֶךְ וְהַדֹּחַק מִפְּנֵי זֻלּוּתוֹ אֶצְלָם וְקַלּוּתוֹ בְּעֵינֵיהֶם, וּפִנּוּ נַפְשׁוֹתָם וְלִבּוֹתָם לְעִנְיְנֵי תּוֹרָתָם וַעֲבוֹדַת אֱלֹהֵיהֶם לִכְבוֹדוֹ וְרוֹמְמוּתוֹ וְלִשְׁמֹר מִצְוֹתָיו וְגוּפוֹתָם עוֹלָמִיּוֹת וְלִבּוֹתָם רוּחָנִיּוֹת (ס״א וגופותם בארץ ולבותם בשמים) וְהֵם בְּמָה שֶׁבְּלִבּוֹתָם מִיְּדִיעַת הָאֱלֹהִים כְּאִלּוּ עוֹבְדִים אוֹתוֹ עִם הַמַּלְאָכִים הַקְּדוֹשִׁים בִּשְׁמֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם. In their hearts and minds, they abandoned matters of this world, and care of their body's welfare, except for what is necessary and urgent, due to its pettiness by them, and insignificance in their eyes. They concentrate their hearts and souls to their religious matters and to the service of G-d, due to His glory and exaltedness. Their bodies are on earth but their hearts are in the heavens. Due to the knowledge of the greatness of G-d in their hearts, they serve Him as if they were with the holy angels in the highest heavens.
נָמַסּוּ הַתַּאֲווֹת מִלִּבּוֹתָם וְנֶעֱקַר מֵהֶם הַכֹּסֶף לַתַּעֲנוּגִים בַּעֲבוּר מָה שֶׁנִּכְנַס בָּהֶם מִן הַכֹּסֶף לַעֲבוֹדַת הַבּוֹרֵא וּמֵאַהֲבָה אוֹתוֹ, The [physical] lusts have melted away from their hearts, and the desire for pleasures has been uprooted from them, due to being replaced with the yearning for the Creator's service and their love of Him.
וְכָבְתָה אֵשׁ הַיֵּצֶר מִלִּבּוֹתָם וְנִפְסַק חֻמָּהּ מֵרַעְיוֹנֵיהֶם מֵעֹצֶם מָה שֶׁלְּבָשָׁם מֵאוֹר הָעֲבוֹדָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁיֶּאֱרַע לְנֵר נֹכַח אוֹר הַשֶּׁמֶשׁ וְנִכְנְעוּ מִפְּנֵי מוֹרָא אֱלֹהֵיהֶם וְהִתְוַדּוּ לְפָנָיו בְּקִצּוּרָם וְשָׁחֲחוּ לַעֲבוֹדָתוֹ וְלֹא חָשְׁשׁוּ לְחֶסְרוֹן. The fire of the evil inclination has extinguished from their hearts, and its heat is gone from their thoughts due to the magnitude of the light of divine service which has engulfed them, similar to a candle in the presence of the light of the sun. They are humbled by awe of their G-d. They confess their shortcomings before Him. They bore their shoulders to His service, not caring about any losses
תִּרְאֶה אוֹתָם כְּשֶׁמִּתְעַסְּקִים עִמָּהֶם כַּאֲחֵי הַבֹּשֶׁת, וּכְשֶׁמְּדַבְּרִים עִמָּהֶם חֲכָמִים, וּכְשֶׁשּׁוֹאֲלִים אוֹתָם יוֹדְעִים, וּכְשֶׁחוֹטְאִים לָהֶם עֲנָוִים, When coming in contact with them, they seem shy, but when one speaks with them, their wisdom will appear. When one asks them something, they seem knowledgeable. When they are sinned against, their humility will appear.
תִּרְאֶה צוּרוֹתָם שֶׁעָלָה עֲלֵיהֶם הָאוֹר. וְאִם תַּעֲמֹד עַל הַלְּבָבוֹת תִּרְאֶה לְבָבוֹת נִשְׁבָּרוֹת לֵאלֹהִים וּבְשִׂיחָתוֹ נוֹשָׁבוֹת וּבְעִסְקֵי הָעוֹלָם נְשַׁמּוֹת, When you look at them, their faces appear radiant, and if you could peer in their hearts, you will see a broken heart to G-d. In His word they are resident, but in worldly matters they are desolate.
מִלְּאָה אַהֲבַת הָאֱלֹהִים לִבּוֹתָם וְאֵינָם מוֹצְאִים לְדִבְרֵי הַבְּרוּאִים תַּאֲוָה וְלֹא בְּשִׂיחוֹתָם הֲנָאָה, מָאֲסוּ דֶּרֶךְ הַשְּׁחִיתוּת וְהָלְכוּ בְּמִבְחַר הַנְּתִיבוֹת. Love of G-d has filled their hearts. They have no desire for joining the conversations of men, nor do they derive any pleasure therein. They are disgusted by corrupt ways, and chose the choicest paths,
וּבִזְכוּתָם מִסְתַּלְּקִים הַיִּסּוּרִין וְיוֹרְדִין הַגְּשָׁמִים וּבִזְכוּתָם יְשֻׁקֶּה הָאָדָם וְהַבְּהֵמָה לְפִי שֶׁמָּנְעוּ גּוֹפוֹתָם מִן הָעֲרָיוֹת וּמָשְׁכוּ יְדֵיהֶם מִמִּינֵי הַמַּטְעַמִּים וּבָרְחוּ בְּנַפְשׁוֹתָם מִן הָאִסּוּרִין (ס״א האשמים) וְהָלְכוּ בַּדֶּרֶךְ הַטּוֹבָה וְהַיְּשָׁרָה, הִגִּיעוּ אֶל הַמַּעֲלוֹת הַגְּדוֹלוֹת בְּסֵבֶל יָמִים מְעַטִּים וְהִרְוִיחוּ שְׁנֵי הָעוֹלָמִים וְקִבְּצוּ שְׁתֵּי הַטּוֹבוֹת וְהִשְׁלִימוּ שְׁנֵי הַיִּתְרוֹנִים כמ״ש בְּמִזְמוֹר (תהלים קיב) אַשְׁרֵי אִישׁ יָרֵא אֶת ה׳ עַד סוֹפוֹ, In their merits, sufferings go away, and the rains fall. In their merits man kisses the ground (the earth produces food and men are happy), since they refrained themselves from lewdness, retracted their hands from all treats, and their souls have fled from forbidden things, and because they went in the good and righteous path. They reached exalted levels for bearing a short time (the few dozen years allotted to man in this world), profited in both worlds, combined both goods, and achieved two distinctions, as written in the psalm: "Praiseworthy is the man who fears G-d..." (Tehilim 112), until the end.
וּמִן הַתֵּמַהּ בְּעִנְיָנָם כִּי מָעֲטוּ בְּעֵינֵיהֶם הַמִּצְוֹת אֲשֶׁר צִוָּם בָּם הַבּוֹרֵא בְּצַד חוֹבוֹת טוֹבָתוֹ שֶׁהֵטִיב לָהֶם בְּצַד מָה שֶׁקִּבְּלוּ עַל נַפְשׁוֹתָם מִן הַיְּגִיעָה וְהַהִשְׁתַּדְּלוּת וְהַסֵּבֶל וְהַמִּתּוּן לְדָבְקָה בַּעֲבוֹדָתוֹ. וְזֶה כַּאֲשֶׁר אֲסַפֵּר לְךָ. What is wondrous in their matters, is that the commandments which the Creator has commanded them in seem few in their eyes compared to their duties to repay Him for the good He bestows on them, and compared to the exertion, devotion, bearing, and patience which they took on themselves in order to cling to the Creator, as I will now explain.
לְפִי שֶׁמָּנוּ מִצְוֹת הַבּוֹרֵא וְהִגִּיעַ מִסְפַּר כֻּלָּן תרי״ג מִצְוֹת. מֵהֶן שס״ה מִצְוֹת לֹא תַעֲשֶׂה וְהֵן הָאַזְהָרוֹת, וּמֵהֶן מִצְוֹת שֶׁחַיָּבִין בָּהֶן הַצִּבּוּר וְאֵין הַיָּחִיד חַיָּב בָּהֶן ס״ה מִצְוֹת, וּמֵהֶן מִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה שֶׁהַזְּמַן גְּרָמָא וְהֵן הַמִּצְוֹת הַתְּלוּיוֹת בִּזְמַן מִבִּלְתִּי זְמַן כַּשַּׁבָּתוֹת וְהַמּוֹעֲדִים וְהַצּוֹמוֹת, וּמֵהֶן מִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה שֶׁחִיּוּבָן בָּאָרֶץ בִּלְבַד כְּמוֹ קָרְבְּנוֹת יָחִיד וּתְרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת וַחֲגִיגַת הָרְגָלִים וְהַדּוֹמֶה לָזֶה, וּמֵהֶן מִצְוֹת תְּלוּיוֹת בִּדְבָרִים כְּשֶׁיִּמָּצְאוּ מִתְחַיְּבִין בָּהֶן וּכְשֶׁיִּפָּקְדוּ יִסְתַּלְּקוּ, כְּמִצְוַת מִילָה לְמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בֵּן וּפִדְיוֹן הַבֵּן לְמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בְּכוֹר וּמִצְוַת מַעֲקֶה לְמִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בַּיִת וּמִצְוַת כִּבּוּד אָב וָאֵם לְיָתוֹם וְהַדּוֹמֶה לָזֶה. According to how the sages counted the commandments of the Creator, the total number was found to be 613. Of these, 365 are negative commandments, to not do, 65 of them are commandments for the congregation but not for the individual. Further, some of them are positive commandments whose fulfillment depends on time, namely, they apply at certain times but not at others, such as the Sabbaths, festivals, fast days. There are also commandments which apply only in the land (of Israel) such as the offerings which an individual is obligated in, the teruma, maaser (tithes), and the offerings of the festivals, or the like. Some commandments depend on other things, and are only obligatory when the things are found, but if they are absent one is exempt from them, such as the mitzva of Brit Mila (circumcision) for one who does not have a son, or pidyon haben (redeeming first born male) for one who has no first born male, and the mitzva of making a roof-fence for one who does not own a house, or honoring father and mother for an orphan, and others like this.
וְכַאֲשֶׁר מָנוּ הַמִּצְוֹת אָמְרוּ לֹא נַעֲלֶה הָאַזְהָרוֹת בַּחֶשְׁבּוֹן מִפְּנֵי שֶׁהָעֲמִידָה מֵהֶן הִיא עֲשִׂיָּתָן וְקִיּוּם חוֹבוֹתָן [וַאֲנַחְנוּ וְהַיָּשֵׁן וְהַמֵּת וְהַבָּקָר הָאוֹכֵל עֵשֶׂב שָׁוִים בְּקִיּוּמָן], וַתִּקְטַן בְּעֵינֵיהֶם עֲבוֹדָתָם לֵאלֹהִים וַיִּמְעֲטוּ אֶצְלָם מַעֲשֵׂיהֶם בְּצַד מַאֲוַיָּים וְכָסְפָּם לְמָה שֶׁיַּגִּיעוּ בּוֹ אֶל רְצוֹן הָאֱלֹהִים, וּבִקְשׁוּ מִצְוֹת עֲשֵׂה מֵחוֹבוֹת הָאֵבָרִים אֲשֶׁר הֵם חוֹבוֹת הַיָּחִיד בְּכָל זְמַן וּבְכָל מָקוֹם וּבְכָל עִנְיָן וְלֹא מָצְאוּ אֶלָּא קְרִיאַת הַתּוֹרָה וְלִמּוּד הַמִּצְוֹת כמ״ש הַכָּתוּב (דברים ו) וְהָיוּ הַדְּבָרִים הָאֵלֶּה אֲשֶׁר אָנֹכִי מְצַוְּךָ הַיּוֹם עַל לְבָבֶךָ וְשִׁנַּנְתָּם לְבָנֶיךָ וְדִבַּרְתָּ בָּם וְגוֹ׳ וּמָה שֶׁזֵּרֵז הַנָּבִיא עַל זֶה אַחַר כָּךְ שֵׁנִית בְּאָמְרוֹ (שם יא) וְלִמַּדְתֶּם אֹתָם אֶת בְּנֵיכֶם וְגוֹ׳, When they counted the commandments, they said: "we will not count in the negative commandments because merely refraining from them is their performance and the fulfillment of their obligation. Such service of G-d seemed too insignificant in their eyes, and their service seemed little to them due to their desire and longing for reaching the favor of G-d. Therefore they sought positive commandments of the limbs for individuals which apply at all times, places, and circumstances. They did not find any precepts that fits this except reading the torah and studying the commandments, as the verse says: "These words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart; And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and speak of them.." (Devarim 6:6). And the prophet (Moshe) exhorted on this a second time in saying: "You shall teach them to your sons, speaking of them, when you sit in your house and when you walk on the way and when you lie down and when you rise up" (Devarim 11:19).
וַיִּמְעַט בְּעֵינֵיהֶם כָּל זֶה מִנַּפְשׁוֹתָם לְגֹדֶל מָה שֶׁנִּגְלָה לָהֶם מִמָּה שֶׁחַיָּבִין בּוֹ לַבּוֹרֵא יִתְבָּרַךְ מִן הָעֲבוֹדָה וְהַמַּעֲשֶׂה, וְעָבְדוּ אֶת הַבּוֹרֵא בְּמִצְוֹת שִׂכְלִיּוֹת וּמוּסָרִים מְיֻחָדִים וּמִדּוֹת טוֹבוֹת רוּחָנִיּוֹת וְהוֹסִיפוּם עַל הַמִּצְוֹת הַיְּדוּעוֹת בְּבֹר לְבָבָם לֵאלֹהִים בָּהֶם, וְלָמְדוּ מִדַּרְכֵי הַנְּבִיאִים וּמִנְהֲגֵי הַחֲסִידִים לְבַקֵּשׁ רְצוֹן הַבּוֹרֵא בָּהֶם וְשֶׁיְּקַבֵּל אוֹתָם מֵהֶם. וְהֵם מִכְּלַל חוֹבוֹת הַלְּבָבוֹת אֲשֶׁר כִּוַּנְנוּ לְבָאֵר שָׁרְשֵׁיהֶם וְלִזְכֹּר סוּגֵיהֶם בַּסֵּפֶר הַזֶּה, אֲשֶׁר הִיא הַחָכְמָה הַצְּפוּנָה הַגְּנוּזָה בְּלִבּוֹת הַחֲכָמִים וְהַטְּמוּנָה בְּחֻבֵּיהֶם אֲשֶׁר אִם יְדַבְּרוּ בָּהּ אֵין צִדְקָם נֶעֱלָם בָּהּ מִפְּנֵי שֶׁכָּל אַנְשֵׁי הַדֵּעוֹת הַנִּצָּלוֹת מְעִידִים בַּאֲמִתָּהּ וְצִדְקָהּ, And all of this seemed too small in their eyes due to what they perceived of their duties of service and deeds to the Creator. So, they served the Creator with rational precepts (not prescribed in scripture - RMH), special disciplines, and good spiritual customs. In their pure hearts to G-d, they appended to the known commandments and they learned from the ways of the prophets and the regiments of the pious ones, how to seek the favor of G-d by them, and obtain His acceptance of them - these belong to the duties of the heart, which was our intent to clarify their fundamental principles and to speak of their divisions in this book. This is the wisdom hidden in the hearts of the wise and concealed in their interior. If they speak of them, everyone will see that they are correct in them, because all intelligent men can testify that these things are true and just.
וְהִגִּיעוּ בָּהּ אֶל הַתְּכוּנוֹת הָרָמוֹת וְאֶל הַמַּעֲלוֹת הַיְּקָרוֹת מֵעֲבוֹדַת הָאֱלֹהִים בְּלֵב שָׁלֵם וְאַהֲבָה אוֹתוֹ אַהֲבָה נֶאֱמָנָה בְּלֵב וָנֶפֶשׁ וּבַגּוּף וּבַמָּמוֹן כְּמוֹ שֶׁצִּוָּה בּוֹ הַנָּבִיא עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם בְּאָמְרוֹ (דברים ו) וְאָהַבְתָּ אֵת ה׳ אֱלֹהֶיךָ וְגוֹ׳, וְאַנְשֵׁי הַמַּדְרֵגָה הַזֹּאת קְרוֹבִים מִכָּל אָדָם אֶל מַדְרֵגַת הַנְּבִיאִים הַבָּרִים וְהַזַּכִּים הַחֲסִידִים אֲשֶׁר קוֹרֵא אוֹתָם הַכָּתוּב אֹהֲבֵי ה׳ וְאֹהֲבֵי שְׁמוֹ וּבָהֶם נֶאֱמַר (משלי ח) לְהַנְחִיל אֹהֲבַי יֵשׁ וְגוֹ׳. By it they reached the lofty heights and the precious levels in the wholehearted service of G-d, in love of Him with a faithful love, with their heart and soul, body and means, as the prophet, peace be unto him, exhorted in saying: "And you shall love the L-ord your G-d with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might" (Devarim 6:5). Men of these levels are nearer than all other men to the level of the prophets, the pure ones, and the pious one, which scripture has termed them: "those who love G-d", and "those who love His Name", and on them it is said: "That I may cause those that love Me to inherit substance" (Mishlei 8:21).
וְאִם אַתָּה אָחִי חָפֵץ בְּחֶבְרָתָם וּלְהִכָּנֵס בְּכִתּוֹתָם עֲזֹב מוֹתְרֵי עוֹלָמְךָ וְהִתְעַלֵּם מֵהֶם וֶהְיֵה מִסְתַּפֵּק בַּמָּזוֹן מֵהֶם וְהַרְגֵּל עַצְמְךָ לַעֲמֹד בִּלְעֲדֵיהֶם וְהָקֵל טֹרַח עִסְקֵי הָעוֹלָם מֵעַל נַפְשְׁךָ, וּפַנֵּה לִבְּךָ מֵהַעֲמִיק מַחְשַׁבְתְּךָ בָּהֶם וְרוּץ בִּדְבָרִים הַצְּרִיכִים לְךָ בְּגוּפְךָ לֹא בִּלְבָבְךָ וּבִרְצוֹנְךָ כְּשׁוֹתֶה הָרְפוּאָה הַמָּרָה אֲשֶׁר יִשְׁתֶּה אוֹתָהּ בְּפִיו לֹא בִּרְצוֹנוֹ וְהוּא מוֹאֵס שְׁתִיָּתָהּ לְעַצְמָהּ וּמֵקֵל עַל עַצְמוֹ סֵבֶל מְרִירוּתָהּ לִדְחוֹת הַנֶּזֶק מֵעָלָיו וְכֵן צָרִיךְ שֶׁיִּהְיוּ צָרְכֵי עוֹלָמְךָ בְּעֵינֶיךָ, And if, my brother, you desire to be one of them, and to be included in their class - abandon the superfluous things of this world and avoid them. Be contented with taking only your [necessary] food from them. Train yourself to do without the superfluities. Lighten the burden of the affairs of this world from yourself, and free your mind from thinking deeply in them. Hasten to do the things necessary for you with your body only, but not with your heart and will, just like one who drinks a bitter medicine, who drinks it with his mouth, not with his desire, and he abhors the drinking itself, but he allows himself to bear its bitterness in order to cure himself from the illness. Likewise, should be the worldly needs in your eyes.
וּכְבָר יָדַעְתָּ אָחִי שֶׁמַּחְשַׁבְתְּךָ עַל עִנְיְנֵי עוֹלָמְךָ לֹא תּוֹסִיף לְךָ בְּטַרְפְּךָ מְאוּמָה כְּמוֹ שֶׁמִּעוּט הִשְׁתַּדְּלוּתְךָ וַחֲרִיצוּתְךָ בָּהֶם לֹא יִגְרַע מֵחָקְךָ דָּבָר. וְטִרְדַּת לִבְּךָ בָּהֶם תִּמְנָעֲךָ מֵחֲשֹׁב בְּמָה שֶׁתּוֹעִילְךָ מַחְשַׁבְתְּךָ עָלָיו מֵעִנְיְנֵי תּוֹרָתְךָ וּמִצְוֹת הַבּוֹרֵא אֲשֶׁר נִמְסְרוּ לְךָ וְקִבַּלְתָּ עַל עַצְמְךָ לְהִתְעַסֵּק בָּם כָּל יְמֵי חַיֶּיךָ וְתַפְסִיד אֶת זֶה וְלֹא יוֹעִילוּךָ. You know, my brother, that your mental exertions about your secular matters will not add anything to your livelihood in the least [because this is pre-determined by G-d]. So too, minimal exertion and zeal in them will not decrease your allotted portion in the least. Your mental distraction in them will prevent you from thinking in what will benefit you in your torah matters and in the Creator's commandments, which are in your hands, and that you undertook to toil in them all the days of your life. Thus you will wind up losing in this (religious) without gaining from the other (secular).
וּרְצֵה לְנַפְשְׁךָ מָה שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ הַצָּלָתְךָ וּשְׁלוֹם תּוֹרָתְךָ וְעוֹלָמְךָ וְשִׂים הַשֵּׂכֶל (הסבל) לַעֲמֹד מַבּוּעַ (מרוע) מִנְהָגְךָ בְּכֹחֲךָ (נכחך), Therefore desire for yourself that which furthers your salvation and peace in your religious and secular life. Apply your mind to stand with all your strength to [perpetuate] the wellspring of your way of life.
וְהַקְדֵּם הַזְּרִיזוּת בְּעִנְיְנֵי אַחֲרִיתְךָ בֵּין עֵינֶיךָ, וְשִׂים הַשֵּׂכֶל מַלְכְּךָ וְהָעֲנָוָה קְצִינְךָ וְהַחָכְמָה מַנְהִיגְךָ וְהַפְּרִישׁוּת יְדִידְךָ, וְהִתְנַהֵל לְאַט וּבְמִתּוּן בִּקְנוֹת (ס״א בגנות) הַמִּדּוֹת הַטּוֹבוֹת כְּפִי שֶׁיִּסְבְּלֵהוּ עִנְיָנְךָ וְהִזָּהֵר מִן הָרִבּוּי וְהַהַפְלָגָה מִבְּלִי הַדְרָגָה פֶּן תֹּאבַד, כִּי רֹב הַשֶּׁמֶן בַּנֵּר הִיא הַסִּבָּה לְכַבּוֹת אוֹרוֹ (ס״א לכהות הודו). Precede zeal before yourself for matters of your end (the hereafter). Appoint understanding as your king, humility as your deputy, wisdom as your guide, and abstinence as your close friend. Proceed slowly and thoughtfully in acquiring the good traits, according to how your matters allow you to bear. Beware of taking on too much, or too quickly, without moving gradually, lest you become lost, because too much oil in a candle is a cause to extinguish its light.
וְהִזָּהֵר מֵהִתְעַלֵּם וּמֵהִתְעַצֵּל וּמֵהִתְרַפּוֹת וְהַדְבֵּק הַזְּרִיזוּת בִּזְרִיזוּת וְהַרְדֵּף הַסֵּבֶל בְּסֵבֶל בְּהַדְרָגָה וּסְמֹךְ לְכָל מַדְרֵגָה מִן הַמִּדּוֹת הַטּוֹבוֹת אֶת הַסָּמוּךְ לָהּ. וְאַל תִּתְעַלֵּם מִפְּקֹד לִבְּךָ וּמֵחֲשֹׁב עִם נַפְשְׁךָ תָּמִיד, וְהִתְעַסֵּק בְּעִיּוּן סִפְרִי זֶה וּקְרִיאָתוֹ וּזְכֹר עִנְיָנָיו וּשְׁמֹר שָׁרָשָׁיו וַחֲקֹר עַל תּוֹלְדוֹתָיו תָּדִיר תַּגִּיעַ בּוֹ אֶל הַמַּעֲלוֹת הַחֲמוּדוֹת וְתַכְלִית הַמִּדּוֹת הַמְּעֻלּוֹת הָרְצוּיוֹת לִפְנֵי הָאֱלֹהִים וֶהְיֵה בּוֹ מְיֻשָּׁר וְאֵלָיו מְיַשֵּׁר. Beware of becoming neglectful, lazy or lax. Let one level of zeal follow with another level of zeal, and one level of endurance with another level of endurance. Strive to follow each level of good traits, with the next higher level which is near it. Do not neglect checking your heart and making a spiritual accounting always. Engage in the in-depth study of this book, read it, review its matters, and memorize its roots. Investigate its deductions always. You will reach through it to the pinnacle of exalted and treasured qualities, and the utmost of the noble traits that are pleasing to G-d. Straighten yourself with it and then straighten others with it.
וְאַל תְּיַחֵל נַפְשְׁךָ שֶׁתַּגִּיעַ אֶל זֶה עַד (מבלי) שֶׁתְּפַנֶּה לִבְּךָ מִדַּאֲגוֹת הָעוֹלָם וְטִרְדוֹתָיו אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁתִּמְאָסֵם. כַּאֲשֶׁר לֹא יִתָּכֵן לַשִּׁכּוֹר לְהֵרָפֵא מִן הַיַּיִן עַד שֶׁיִּתְרוֹקֵן מִמֶּנּוּ. וְאָמַר אֶחָד מִן הַחֲסִידִים אִלּוּ הָיִינוּ בּוֹשִׁים מֵהַבּוֹרֵא לֹא הָיִינוּ זוֹכְרִים אַהֲבַת הָעוֹלָם וַאֲנַחְנוּ שְׁכוּרִים מִכּוֹס יֵין אַהֲבַת הָעוֹלָם. Do not hope that you will reach this without having freed your mind of the worries and distractions of this world, even if you abhor them, just like it is not possible for a drunkard to heal himself from his craving for wine until he is completely free from it. One of the pious would say: "if we were truly ashamed of the Creator['s presence], we would not be speaking of love of the Creator, so long as we are drunk from the wine of love of this world".
ע״כ הִשְׁתַּדֵּל אָחִי לְפַנּוֹת לִבְּךָ מִמֶּנּוּ עַד אֲשֶׁר יִפְנֶה גּוּפְךָ מֵעֲסָקָיו, כִּי אַתָּה צָרִיךְ בְּעֵת בְּדִידוּתְךָ הַגּוּפָנִית אֶל בְּדִידוּת רוּחָנִית מִפְּנֵי הִקָּשֵׁר הַמַּחְשָׁבָה בְּעִסְקֵי הָעוֹלָם אֲפִלּוּ אִם יִפְנֶה הַגּוּף מֵהֶם וְיָנוּחַ מֵהִתְעַסֵּק בָּהֶם. Therefore, endeavor, my brother, let your mind be free of this world when your body is free of its affairs. Because when your body is in solitude, your soul should also be in solitude. For it is still possible for the mind to be absorbed in worldly affairs even when the body is free from them and is at rest from engaging in them.
פְּקֹד אָחִי זֶה מִנַּפְשְׁךָ תָּמִיד וְהִשְׁתַּדֵּל לְהַרְחִיק תַּאֲווֹת הָעוֹלָם מִלִּבְּךָ. וַהֲמִירֵן בְּעִנְיְנֵי אַחֲרִיתְךָ וְחוֹבוֹת לְבָבְךָ, וַהֲשִׁיבֵם בְּרַעֲיוֹנְךָ תָּדִיר. תַּגִּיעַ בָּהֶם אֶל רְצוֹן הַבּוֹרֵא יִתְבָּרַךְ וְיָאֵר פָּנָיו אֵלֶיךָ וִיקַבֵּל מִמְּךָ מַעֲשֶׂיךָ הַטּוֹבִים וְיִסְלַח לַעֲוֹנְךָ וְתִמְצָא חֵן בְּעֵינָיו. כמ״ש (משלי ח) אֲנִי אֹהֲבַי אֵהָב וּמְשַׁחֲרַי יִמְצָאֻנְנִי. וְאָמַר (שמואל א ב׳:ל׳) כִּי מְכַבְּדַי אֲכַבֵּד וּבֹזַי יֵקָלּוּ: Check yourself in this always, my brother, and strive to keep the lusts of this world far from your heart. Replace them with matters of your end and duties of your heart. Ponder them in your thoughts always, you will attain through them that the Creator will be pleased with you. His face will shine upon you, and He will accept your good deeds, forgive your sins, and you will find favor in His eyes, as written: "I love them that love Me; And those that seek Me diligently shall find Me" (Mishlei 8:17), and "those who honor Me shall I honor, and those who despise Me will be disgraced" (Shmuel 2:30).
וְרָאִיתִי בְּהַשְׁלָמַת הַתּוֹעֶלֶת וְהַיִּשּׁוּר לְךָ אָחִי, שֶׁאֲקַבֵּץ רָאשֵׁי עִנְיְנֵי סִפְרִי זֶה בַּעֲשָׂרָה בָּתִּים עִבְרִיִּים. יִסְבֹּל כָּל אֶחָד מֵהֶם עִנְיַן שַׁעַר אֶחָד מִשְּׁעָרָיו עַל מַחְבַּרְתָּם וְסִדּוּרָם. וְחָתַמְתִּי בָּהֶם סִפְרִי לִהְיוֹתָם לְךָ לְמַזְכֶּרֶת כַּאֲשֶׁר תֵּדָעֵם עַל פֶּה וּתְשִׁיבֵם בִּלְבָבְךָ וּבְרַעֲיוֹנְךָ לֵילְךָ וְיוֹמְךָ בְּעֵת נוּחֲךָ וּתְנוּעָתְךָ. לֹא תֶּחְדַּל לִפְקֹד עִנְיְנֵי סִפְרִי זֶה וְלִזְכֹּר שָׁרָשָׁיו. שֶׁאִם תִּהְיֶה בְּמַעֲשֶׂה מִמַּעֲשֵׂי הָעֲבוֹדָה. I saw proper for the completion of your benefit and instruction, my brother, that I summarize the main topics of the matters of this book into ten hebrew stanzas, where each one contains a summary of each of the gates, and according to the order of the book. I conclude my book with them in order that they serve you as a reminder, so that you can memorize them and set them in your heart and mind, day and night, when you rest or are active, so that you will not cease to investigate the matters of this book and remember its fundamental principles.
יַזְכִּירוּךָ הַבָּתִּים הָאֵלֶּה לְיַחֵד לְבָבְךָ בּוֹ לֵאלֹהִים. וְאִם תִּהְיֶה בְּמַעֲשֵׂה הָעוֹלָם יַזְכִּירוּךָ בַּחֶשְׁבּוֹן עִם נַפְשְׁךָ. וְאִם תִּהְיֶה בְּעִנְיָן צַר בְּדִבְרֵי עוֹלָמְךָ יַזְכִּירוּךָ בַּבִּטָּחוֹן עַל הָאֱלֹהִים. וְאִם תִּהְיֶה בְּעִנְיָן שֶׁיְּבִיאֲךָ אֶל הַגַּאֲוָה וְהַגֹּבַהּ יַזְכִּירוּךָ בַּכְּנִיעָה. וְאִם יִהְיֶה לִבְּךָ פָּנוּי יַזְכִּירוּךָ לִבְחֹן בְּטוֹבַת הָאֱלֹהִים עָלֶיךָ. וְאִם תִּהְיֶה בְּעִנְיָן שִׂמְחָה וְתַעֲנוּג גּוּפָנִי יַזְכִּירוּךָ בַּפְּרִישׁוּת מִן הָעוֹלָם. וְאִם תִּהְיֶה בְּעִנְיָן שֶׁתַּמְרֶה בּוֹ אֶת הָאֱלֹהִים יַזְכִּירוּךָ בַּתְּשׁוּבָה. וְאִם תִּהְיֶה מִתְעַלֵּם מִתּוֹרָתְךָ וֶאֱמוּנָתְךָ יַזְכִּירוּךָ לְהִדָּבֵק בַּעֲבוֹדַת הָאֱלֹהִים. וְאִם תִּהְיֶה בְּעִנְיַן יִחוּד הָאֱלֹהִים יַזְכִּירוּךָ שֶׁיִּהְיֶה יִחוּדְךָ בְּלֵב שָׁלֵם. When you are involved in an act of service, these phrases will remind you to devote your heart wholly to G-d in it. If you are involved in a secular work, they will remind you of your spiritual accounting. If you are in some trouble in a worldly matter, they will remind you of trusting in G-d. If it will be in a situation which brings to arrogance and haughtiness, they will remind you of submission. If your heart is free, they will remind you to reflect on the favors of G-d on you. If you are in a situation of physical joy or pleasure, they will remind you to abstain from the pleasures of this world. If you are involved in some matter where you are rebelling against G-d, they will remind you on repentance. If you are neglecting your torah and faith, they will remind you to cling to the service of G-d. If you are engaged in declaring G-d's Unity, they will remind you that your declaration should be wholehearted.
וְכֵן בְּעִנְיְנֵי תְּפִלָּתְךָ וְהִרְהוּרֵי לִבְּךָ לַחְסֹם לְשׁוֹנְךָ וְלֶאֱסֹר חוּשֶׁיךָ וְלִמְשֹׁל בְּתַאֲווֹתֶיךָ וּלְהַחֲזִיק בְּאֵבָרֶיךָ וְלִפְקֹד רַעְיוֹנֶיךָ וְלִשְׁקֹל מַעֲשֶׂיךָ, וּשְׁאָר מָה שֶׁזָּכַרְתִּי בּוֹ מִן הַמִּנְהָגִים הַטּוֹבִים וְהַמּוּסָרִים הָעֶלְיוֹנִים. And likewise they will remind you during your recital of prayers, musings of your heart, bridling your tongue, binding of your senses, ruling over your lusts, restraining your limbs, checking your thoughts, weighing your deeds against your knowledge, and the rest of what I have discussed in this book of good conduct, and higher ethics.
וְהָאֱלֹהִים יוֹרֵנוּ וְאוֹתְךָ אֶת דֶּרֶךְ עֲבוֹדָתוֹ בְּרַחֲמָיו וּגְדֻלָּתוֹ, אָמֵן: May G-d teach us and you the way to His service in His mercy and greatness, Amen.