העיקר הוא חלק המעשהThe Deed Comes First

ha-ikkar hu ḥelek ha-ma'asehIn Gamatria ↗

Climb by the rungs; there is no leap past the deed.

In the chapters between the third and fourth gates, the author exposes the disguises of the evil inclination. Pure intention adds to a deed, but its absence does not invalidate it. A Passover offering eaten merely to fill up still counts (Nazir 23a), and even prayer, "service of the heart," requires moving the lips. "Serving with any act for Heaven's sake," as the Patriarchs could before Sinai, is not our way. Nor should anyone scorn study done for lesser motives: one climbs to lishmah through it, rung by rung (Pesachim 50b), and mocking such learners is grave.

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