כמו המגן המשוח בשמןThe Oiled Shield

kemo ha-magen ha-mashuaḥ ba-shemenIn Gamatria ↗

One joke can turn aside a hundred rebukes.

Three things spoil watchfulness. First, worldly busyness, which chains the thoughts. The Sages say: do less business and engage in Torah. God created the evil inclination and created Torah as its remedy. Like a patient who ignores his doctor and picks his own drugs, one who seeks another cure dies of the illness. But the light in Torah brings a person back. Second, and much harder, mockery and levity. Laughter drowns the heart like the sea. Like a shield smeared with oil, one joke turns aside every arrow of rebuke. Isaiah begged, 'Do not mock, lest your bonds grow strong.' Third, bad company: people slacken so their friends will not laugh at them. You would not give up a fortune for their scorn, still less your soul. 'I will speak of Your testimonies before kings and not be ashamed.'

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