נפילה

Sometimes, a man falls from his level in his old age. Through collecting taxes, a man falls from his level. One who blunders in his speech [stammers], and certainly one needs a fluent tongue for everything he needs to express - but one who (nevertheless) blunders in his speech, it is certain that his livelihood has been curtailed, and he is in need of great kindness and salvation, that the Holy One, Blessed be He, should grant him his livelihood.

Through jealousy one falls from his level. Due to jealousy, a person does not have consistency. By (taking) an oath, a person's longings can be recognized [alternate version: his longings are cut off. Both versions are correct, however only one justifies this dictum to be categorized here under the entry of falling]. When a man slips and falls, this is because he had strengthened himself to commit a sin. When you begin doing a Mitzvah, and the beginning is with all your heart, you will be successful in fulfilling this Mitzvah, and no harm will come to you.

Sometimes he prays with enthusiasm and learns with diligence, and other times, the prayer and learning are a burden to him. When a man prays in a minyan which includes wicked people, they sometimes cast him down. A segulah (to be protected) for this is to raise one's hands up during prayer.

One who falls from his awe of G-d, it is certain that his awe was not pure. A person falls due to desire for money. One who has a thought of having relations with a gentile woman, it is certain that he will have some sort of fall.

If you guard yourself from thievery, and from oaths, and from falsehood, you will not fall from your level. time, but he derives an income from supplying them with articles to be used for their idol worship -- through this, his wife bleeds immediately following her immersion.

1. Sometimes, a man falls from his level in his old age.

One whose heart falls from its enthusiasm, it is because he hates the Tzaddik. The Tzaddik who rules the world with (/in) truth will not fall from his importance. 2. Through collecting taxes, a man falls from his level.

3. Through jealousy one falls from his level.

4. Due to jealousy, a person does not have consistency. Sometimes he prays with enthusiasm and learns with diligence, and other times, the prayer and learning are a burden to him.

One who flees from honor and the honor pursues him, will certainly not descend from nor fall in prestige. 5. One who blunders in his speech [stammers], and certainly one needs a fluent tongue for everything he needs to express - but one who (nevertheless) blunders in his speech, it is certain that his livelihood has been curtailed, and he is in need of great kindness and salvation, that the Holy One, Blessed be He, should grant him his livelihood.

Through attachment to Tzaddikim, one will not fall from one's level. One who who is going (walking) and falls, should know that his guardian angels have deserted him. 6. By (taking) an oath, a person's longings can be recognized [alternate version: his longings are cut off. Both versions are correct, however only one justifies this dictum to be categorized here under the entry of falling]. Or some sickness will come upon his wife and children.