שבירה ShevirahXIKav HaYashar
R. Tzvi Hirsch Kaidanover · Frankfurt, 170532 teachings

קב הישרKav HaYashar.

A measure of straight counsel, chapter by chapter.
Stories of souls, demons and the Sabbath, told to turn a reader home.

A Straight Measure

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  1. Iוקראתי שם הספר קב הישרA Kav of 102One hundred and two chapters, sifted clean, to straighten a heart.
  2. IIנשמות הנדחיןSouls in the TreesA true prayer rises, and lost souls ride up with it.
  3. IIIסלם קטןThe Chickens' LadderA chick's thirst reaches heaven; so does the ladder put back.
  4. IVלהזמין עניים לסעודהThe Pauper at the WeddingSeat the poor man first; he may be the one who decides.
  5. Vמן אותו המצוה נעשה מלאךThe Tractate That Led HimWhat you learned all your life will walk before you.
  6. VIגדול השלוםThe Sack of FlourPeace is the only vessel that holds a blessing.

Shadows, Marks and Spirits

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  1. VIIאך בצלם יתהלך אישThe Fading ShadowWhen the shadow thins, hold fast to someone greater.
  2. VIIIנרשמת במצח האדםLetters on the ForeheadEvery deed is written on the brow, and tears can wash it.
  3. IXאמרתי אפאיהם אשביתה מאנוש זכרםAvner in Ha'azinuEven a lost name is written in the song.
  4. Xקשור של מפתחותThe Keys of the MisersThe miser's keys hang on another's wall.
  5. XIכי יקרא קן צפורThe Child's TearsA child held God to His own verse, and won.

Days, Prayer and Return

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  1. XIIתרין דמעין לגו ימא רבאTwo Tears into the SeaAt midnight God weeps, and the rooster wakes the world.
  2. XIIIואברהם זקן בא בימיםCame With His DaysAt the end your days come forward, if they can.
  3. XIVדדליג מאגרא חדא למשמע קדישThe Groom Who LeaptHe leapt for one Kaddish and was known by it.
  4. XVהשלחן והאמהThe Tailor's TableLet your table and your ruler speak for you.
  5. XVIנטיל רבי אבא חד ורדא בידיהThe Rose in the FireOffer your own warmth, and the red turns white.

Deeds and Their Unseen Echoes

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  1. XVIIעקר היראה והצדקות הוא בממוןPiety Tested in MoneyWatch his hands with money, not his length of prayer.
  2. XVIIIשבועת שואThe Lid Over the DeepOne false oath, and the seal over the deep must be recut.
  3. XIXנשמת האדם דומה לנרThe Shaken CandleA good flame shaken burns brighter; a poor one goes out.
  4. XXבית דין הצדקThe Demons' Lawsuit in PosenEven spirits must answer to a court of Torah.
  5. XXIפרורי פתCrumbs from the AltarGather the crumbs, and poverty loses its lodging.

Night, the Dead and Hidden Powers

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  1. XXIIכל עצמותי תאמרנהThe Dead Sing on Their GravesWhen the Sabbath ends, the dead stand up and praise.
  2. XXIIIחצות לילהThe Water Clock at MidnightAt midnight the court falls silent and the righteous are heard.
  3. XXIVחוט של אשThe Spirit Driven OutWords alone made him a spirit; one lewd song let him in.
  4. XXVברא מזכה אבאA Son Acquits His FatherA child's Kaddish can lift a father out of the fire.
  5. XXVIחילא דעשבאThe Power of a HerbEvery plant holds a power; God hid them so we'd trust Him.

Through the Jewish Year

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  1. XXVIIהתאנה חנטה פגיהThe Fig That Fruited EarlyThe fig kept the poet's secret and told it early.
  2. XXVIIIנשמות הרשעים מדבקין בהעשביםSouls in the Spring GrassEat with a blessing, and a lost soul climbs free.
  3. XXIXכתל המערביThe Woman in Black at the WallMourn the Shekhinah at midnight, and she comes to comfort you.
  4. XXXנר של מצוהA Mitzvah CandleA mitzvah's flame outlasts its wax.

The Book's Close

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  1. XXXIוה' נתן לי לשון למודיםA Rebuke Without ShameHe wrote stories so no one had to be shamed.
  2. XXXIIכתנות אורGarments of LightSkin was the garment of the fall; light, of return.