Like the preceding Epistle, the present one too centers on the theme of tzedakah. If it is to be performed properly, tzedakah ought to be given unstintingly, and not only after all one’s own needs and desires have been satisfied. Ideally, it should be given in the spirit of an aphorism that was current among […]

Like the preceding Epistle, the present one too centers on the theme of tzedakah. If it is to be performed properly, tzedakah ought to be given unstintingly, and not only after all one’s own needs and desires have been satisfied. Ideally, it should be given in the spirit of an aphorism that was current among […]

אך בזאת יאות לנו Rather, this [approach] shall be befitting us — להיות כל עסקינו במילי דעלמא לא לגרמייהו that19 all our involvement with mundane affairs should be [conducted] not for its own sake, כי אם להחיות נפשות, חלקי אלוה but in order to animate souls, (i.e., to provide sustenance for fellow Jews, whose souls […]

אך בזאת יאות לנו Rather, this [approach] shall be befitting us — להיות כל עסקינו במילי דעלמא לא לגרמייהו that19 all our involvement with mundane affairs should be [conducted] not for its own sake, כי אם להחיות נפשות, חלקי אלוה but in order to animate souls, (i.e., to provide sustenance for fellow Jews, whose souls […]

על כן אהוביי אחיי Therefore, my beloved ones, my brethren: שימו נא לבבכם לאלה הדברים הנאמרים בקצרה מאד Direct your hearts to these words which are expressed very briefly, ואם ירצה ה׳, פנים אל פנים אדבר בם בארוכה (24and face to face, please G‑d, I will speak of them at length) — איך היות כל […]

על כן אהוביי אחיי Therefore, my beloved ones, my brethren: שימו נא לבבכם לאלה הדברים הנאמרים בקצרה מאד Direct your hearts to these words which are expressed very briefly, ואם ירצה ה׳, פנים אל פנים אדבר בם בארוכה (24and face to face, please G‑d, I will speak of them at length) — איך היות כל […]