שבירה ShevirahXIVMesillat Yesharim
R. Moshe Chaim Luzzatto · Amsterdam, 174036 teachings

מסילת ישריםMesillat Yesharim.

A ladder of ten rungs, from watchfulness to holiness.
Ramchal walks it one rung at a time and names what blocks each step.

The Corridor and the Ladder

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  1. Iלהזכירם את הידועReminding of the KnownWhat everyone knows is what everyone forgets.
  2. IIתורה מביאה לידי זהירותThe Baraita's LadderTorah brings watchfulness, and each rung brings the next.
  3. IIIדומה לפרוזדורThe CorridorThis world is the corridor; the hall lies beyond the door.

Watchfulness

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  1. IVכסומא ההלך על שפת הנהרThe Blind Man by the RiverEyes closed by choice are as blind as eyes closed by nature.
  2. Vגן המבוכהThe Garden MazeTrust the one who already stands at the center of the maze.
  3. VIכחוט השערהWeighed to a HairSmall deeds are weighed with great ones; nothing is overlooked.
  4. VIIעקירת הרצון כעקירת המעשהUprooting the WillRegret that uproots the will uproots the deed itself.
  5. VIIIכמו המגן המשוח בשמןThe Oiled ShieldOne joke can turn aside a hundred rebukes.

Zeal

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  1. IXעל שדה איש עצל עברתיThe Lazy Man's FieldLaziness does no evil; it only lets the thorns grow.
  2. Xמצוה הבאה לידך אל תחמיצנהDo Not Let It SourRun to the mitzvah, and the running lights the heart.
  3. XIההסתכלות ברוב הטובותCounting the KindnessesOne who counts what he is given cannot stay idle.
  4. XIIארי בין הרחבותA Lion in the RoadFear does not make him lazy; laziness makes him afraid.

Cleanliness

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  1. XIIIנקיי הדעת שבירושליםClean of the PermittedThe hardest sins are the ones the heart permits.
  2. XIVשכירות מכירה ליומהHours Sold for the DayA hired hour belongs to the one who paid for it.
  3. XVוכל היצא מגפן הייןEverything from the VineWhoever is denied the wine keeps away from the vine.
  4. XVIכמוך ממשExactly as YourselfLove him as yourself: no difference, no tricks.
  5. XVIIלבית מלא תבןThe House Full of StrawHidden pride leaks out, like straw through a cracked wall.
  6. XVIIIהתמדת הקריאהKeep ReadingNo one is born wise; keep reading, and the path lights.

Separation

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  1. XIXקדש עצמך במתר לךHoly Within the PermittedStay far while you are still far; build your own fence.
  2. XXמה שהוא מכרחOnly What Is NeededLeave what you do not need; refusing what you need is sin.
  3. XXIחלא בר חמראVinegar, Son of WineThe law sets the floor; the separate person raises his own.
  4. XXIIכשעור בית הבליעהThe Length of the ThroatThe taste ends at the throat; the harm stays.

Purity

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  1. XXIIIבשלש עשרה נפהSifted Thirteen TimesOnly flour sifted thirteen times goes up on the altar.
  2. XXIVשוהים שעה אחתThe Hour Before PrayerWait before you pray, until you know before whom.

Piety

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  1. XXVבחצי דבורHalf a WordA loving son hears the whole will in half a word.
  2. XXVIבמה הארכת ימיםHow Did You Live So Long?Live by kindness, and kindness is measured back to you.
  3. XXVIIמכתף ועיל מכתף ונפקCarrying In for ShabbatPrepare for Shabbat as you would for an honored guest.
  4. XXVIIIכמשל הרופאThe Surgeon's CutLove that holds through the cut is a son's love.
  5. XXIXהמתחסד עם קונוKind to His MakerSeek His honor, and shade your generation like a tree.
  6. XXXמשקל החסידותThe Scale of PietyWeigh a pious act by its fruits, not its face.
  7. XXXIכמס שפורעEffort as a TaxEffort is a tax; the income comes from above.

Humility

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  1. XXXIIכעוף שמגביה לעוףA Bird Flies HighA gift is a post in the house, not a throne.
  2. XXXIIIלרועה חזירים שהגיע למלךThe Swineherd KingRemember the herd you came from and the dust ahead.

Fear of Sin

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  1. XXXIVנהר דינורThe River of FireFear of sin trembles even over the mitzvah done well.
  2. XXXVלמען ילמד ליראהLearning to FearThis fear is not born; it is learned, day after day.

Holiness

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  1. XXXVIאדם מקדש עצמו מעטSanctified From AboveSanctify yourself a little, and you are sanctified much.