Carefulness

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Passing Down the Legacy

TANAKH

The experiences and commandments witnessed firsthand must be remembered and taught to ensure they are passed down through generations. The fifth book of the Torah, Deuteronomy, emphasizes the importance of recalling and teaching the seminal events and laws given by God.

But take utmost care and watch yourselves scrupulously, so that you do not forget the things that you saw with your own eyes and so that they do not fade from your mind as long as you live. And make them known to your children and to your children’s children:

Deuteronomy 4:9

Preserving Wisdom in Times of Crisis

MIDRASH

Rabbi Jochanan b. Zakkai's careful planning ensured the survival of Jewish wisdom during a time of great crisis. The Talmud, in tractate Gittin, recounts the strategic actions taken by R. Jochanan b. Zakkai during the Roman siege of Jerusalem.

Abba Sikra, the leader of the rebels in Jerusalem, was the son of R. Jochanan b. Zakkai's sister. The latter sent word to the former: "Come in secrecy unto me." When he came, R. Jochanan said to him: "How long are you going to commit these things which cause death unto the entire population?" His nephew answered him: "What can I do, should I say a word against them, they will execute me?" "Find a way," said R. Jochanan to him, "so that I should be able to get out of this town and try to see the enemy. Perhaps there will he a little help…

Ein Yaakov (Glick Edition), Gittin 5:6

The Pinnacle of Integrity

REFERENCE

Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa's extraordinary level of honesty and integrity serves as a timeless example of ethical conduct. This story from the early Tannaim period highlights Rabbi Chanina's refusal to benefit from property that was not his own, even returning goats acquired through the sale of eggs from hens that were not his.

Of Rabbi Chanina’s unusual honesty it is told that a man once passed and left a few hens on his doorstep. Rabbi Chanina then said to his wife: “Since the hens are not your own you may not use their eggs.” His wife then sold the eggs and with the money she accumulated she bought some goats. When the owner of the hens came to claim them Rabbi Chanina also gave him the goats.

The Jewish Spiritual Heroes, Volume I; The Creators of the Mishna, Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa 19

Loyalty and Strategy in Protecting David

SECOND TEMPLE

Jonathan and Michal's careful and strategic actions to protect David from Saul's attempts to kill him highlight their deep affection and loyalty towards David. Josephus' historical work provides a detailed account of Jewish history, including the biblical story of David and Saul.

How David, Upon Saul's Laying Snares For Him, Did Yet Escape The Dangers He Was In By The Affection And Care Of Jonathan And The Contrivances Of His Wife Michal: And How He Came To Samuel The Prophet.
1. However, Saul was not disposed to persevere long in the state wherein he was, for when he saw that David was in great esteem, both with God and with the multitude, he was afraid; and being not able to conceal his fear as concerning great things, his kingdom and his life, to be deprived of either of which was a very great calamity, he resolved to have David slain…

The Antiquities of the Jews 6:11:1

Balancing Physical Activities for Health

TALMUD

Balancing physical activities like sitting, standing, and walking is crucial for maintaining health and avoiding specific ailments. The Talmudic tractate Ketubot offers practical advice on maintaining physical health, emphasizing the importance of balancing different physical activities.

And if you do not ascend to Eretz Yisrael, be careful in three matters: Do not sit excessively, as sitting is harmful with regard to hemorrhoids; do not stand excessively, as standing is harmful with regard to heart trouble; and do not walk excessively, as walking is harmful with regard to eye problems. Rather, divide your time: One-third for sitting, one-third for standing, and one-third for walking.

Ketubot 111a:26

The Power of Silence

MUSAR

Silence can prevent the revelation of secrets and reduce harm caused by careless speech. The 15th-century ethical work Orchot Tzadikim emphasizes the virtues of silence and self-control.

Then too, if a person is silent, others can reveal secrets to him, for inasmuch as he is not accustomed to speak much he will not reveal the secret. Moreover, it is not his habit to indulge in gossip, and concerning this it is said, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (Prov. 18:21), for a man can do more harm with his tongue than he can with a sword. For a man can stand here and yet betray his companion, who is a long distance from him, and cause his death (by his word), while the sword can only slay someone who is near it…

Orchot Tzadikim 21:7

The Ethics of Returning Lost Property

MISHNAH

The Mishnah emphasizes the importance of verifying the honesty of a claimant and the practicalities of managing found property, including living beings and financial responsibilities. The Mishnah, the first codification of Jewish law from the early third-century land of Israel, discusses the laws of returning lost property, reflecting Jewish values of justice and responsibility.

If a claimant accurately stated what type of item the lost item that was found by another is, but did not state, i.e., describe, its distinguishing marks, the finder shall not give it to him. And in the case of a swindler, even though he stated its distinguishing marks, the finder shall not give the lost item to him, as it is stated: “And if your brother be not near you, and you know him not, then you shall bring it into your house, and it shall be with you until your brother claims [derosh] it [oto]…

Mishnah Bava Metzia 2:7

The Weight of Responsibility

KABBALAH

The Zohar emphasizes the grave responsibility of issuing halachic rulings and the prohibition of causing others to sin. This foundational work of Jewish mysticism delves into the deeper spiritual implications of the commandment 'You shall not place a stumbling block before the blind.'

Woe, therefore, to him who lets an evil word issue from his mouth. The words, “thou shalt not put a stumbling block before the blind” we interpret of one who leads another into sin, and also of one who strikes his grown-up son; or again, of one who not being competent gives decisions on points of Jewish law, because he causes his fellow-man to come to grief in the future world.

Zohar, Kedoshim 15:91

Holiness in Business

CHASIDUT

Conducting business with holiness, faith, and truthfulness is essential for ethical treatment of associates. Rabbi Nathan of Breslov’s Likutei Tefilot offers prayers that emphasize honesty and integrity in business, reflecting Jewish values.

May I never cheat my associates, whether by overcharging them or verbally taking advantage of them. Help me conduct my business affairs with great holiness, perfect faith and absolute truthfulness.

Likutei Tefilot, Volume I 35:44

The Revival of Meticulous Observance

HALAKHAH

The contemporary revival in meticulous observance of Jewish precepts marks a significant shift towards stringency and optimal observance of mitzvot. Rabbi J. David Bleich's work discusses the modern trend of increased religiosity and strict adherence to Jewish laws and customs.

Contemporary Jewry has witnessed an incredible return to meticulousness in observance of the precepts of Judaism. Widespread laxity, often even among the knowledgeable, in observance of Sabbath laws, in many aspects of the dietary code, in the writing and fashioning of tefillin, in the kashrut of the four species, etc., has been replaced in ever-widening circles with concerted efforts to observe mizvot in an optimal manner and, to the extent possible, in accordance with the prescriptions of every recognized authority…

Contemporary Halakhic Problems, Vol IV, Chapter I The Bet Din, An Institution Whose Time Has Returned 6

The Path to Watchfulness

MUSAR

The factors that lead to a loss of watchfulness, such as involvement in worldly affairs, laughter and levity, and bad company, are crucial to understand for personal growth. In his 18th-century ethical masterpiece, Mesillat Yesharim, Rabbi Moshe Chaim Luzzatto delves into these factors in detail, offering guidance on how to overcome them.

There are three factors which cause loss of and distancing from "watchfulness". The first is involvement and preoccupation in worldly affairs. The second is laughter and levity. The third is bad company. We will discuss each one in turn.

Mesillat Yesharim 5:1-2

Ethics of Honesty and Integrity

COMMENTARY

Rashi emphasizes the ethical principle of not misleading or taking advantage of others, especially those who are vulnerable or 'blind' in a matter. Rashi, the renowned 11th-century French biblical commentator, elaborates on the ethical behavior required by Leviticus 19:14:2, focusing on honesty and integrity.

ולפני עור לא תתן מכשל THOU SHALT NOT PUT A STUMBLING BLOCK BEFORE THE BLIND — This implies: "Give not a person who is "blind" in a matter an advice which is improper for him. Do not say to him: "Sell your field and buy from the proceeds of the sale an ass", the fact being that you are endeavouring to circumvent him and to take it (the field) from him (Sifra, Kedoshim, Section 2 14).

Rashi on Leviticus 19:14:2

Preventing the Mixing of Meat and Milk

GUIDES

The rabbis established specific decrees to prevent the mixing of meat and milk, a fundamental aspect of Jewish dietary laws. Adin Steinsaltz, a renowned 20th-century Jewish scholar, elaborates on these rabbinic decrees and customs, including the prohibition against placing meat and milk together on the same table and the requirement to wait a period of time between consuming them.

Since it is permitted to eat both meat and milk when they are separate from one another, the Sages were concerned that people might treat the prohibition lightly, and they enacted several decrees to distance people from sin. These include the prohibition against placing cooked dishes of meat and milk together on the table upon which one eats unless there is a clear separation between them. Additionally, one must wait a period of time between eating meat and consuming milk. The Gemara does not specify the length of this period…

Introductions to the Babylonian Talmud, Chullin, Summary of Perek VIII 3

Approaching the Sanctuary with Carefulness

TARGUM

Before approaching the sanctuary of the Lord, one must be free of sin and receptive to the teachings of the Law. The Aramaic Targum to Ecclesiastes emphasizes the importance of repentance and proper conduct before entering the sanctuary.

Thou son of man, guard thy feet when thou goest to the sanctuary of the Lord to pray, so that thou goest not there full of sin before thou has repented, and incline thine ear to receive the teaching of the Law from the priests and sages, and be not like fools, who bring sacrifices for their sins, and do not leave off their evil works which they hold in their hands, and they have no acceptance, for they know not whether they do good or evil therewith.

Aramaic Targum to Ecclesiastes 4:17

The Consequences of Forgetting

JEWISH THOUGHT

Forgetting the Lord your God can lead to severe consequences, including the threat of utter destruction as divine punishment. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his Haggadah, the guiding text of the Passover seder, emphasizes the importance of remembering God's role in the Exodus from Egypt, a central theme in Jewish history and identity.

Beware lest you forget the Lord your God…lest you lift up your hearts and forget the Lord your God who brought you out of the land of Egypt…. And it shall come to pass if you indeed forget the Lord your God…I bear witness against you this day that you shall utterly perish. (Deut. 8:11–19)

The Jonathan Sacks Haggadah; Essays, History and Memory 15

The Importance of Kavanah in Reciting the Shema

LITURGY

Proper kavanah (intention) and careful pronunciation are essential to fulfilling the mitzvah of reciting the Shema. The Shema is recited during the morning and evening prayers as a declaration of faith and commitment to God's commandments.

In reading Shema, bear in mind that you are performing a Scriptural commandment. All three paragraphs should be read with kavanah, concentrated intention, on what you are saying. The entire Shema should be recited in awe and reverence as it proclaims the existence and unity of God; the Jews' complete dedication to God and His commandments; the belief in Divine justice; the remembrance of the Exodus and the selection of the Jews as God's Chosen People. These concepts are the pillars of the Jewish faith. Whenever this sign (°) appears (e.g…

Weekday Siddur Sefard Linear, The Morning Prayers, Recitation of Shema 2

Choosing the Right Place for Prayer

HALAKHAH

Choosing a place of worship that fosters an environment conducive to concentration and respect during prayer is crucial for a meaningful spiritual experience. Rabbi Eliezer Melamed, in his contemporary presentation of Jewish law, Peninei Halakhah, draws on traditional sources like Sefer Chassidim to emphasize the importance of focused and respectful prayer.

If in one synagogue people regularly chatter during prayer and in another they don’t, a person should opt for the synagogue that shows more respect for prayer, for he will be able to concentrate better there (Sefer Chassidim 770).

Peninei Halakhah, Prayer 3:3:5

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