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Reader Sefer Hamidos צַדִּיק
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Teachings

צַדִּיק

Tzaddik

Sefer Hamidos - The Book of Traits · 230 individual teachings

1

אַל יִקְשֶׁה לְךָ הַדָּבָר כְּשֶׁאַתָּה רוֹאֶה, שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק לֹא תִּקֵּן אֵיזֶהוּ דָּבָר, כִּי זֶה סִבָּה מֵאֵת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, שֶׁיַּנִּיחַ מָקוֹם לְבָנָיו לְהִתְגַּדֵּל בּוֹ.

1

1. It should not be difficult to you when you see that a Tzaddik did not repair something, for this was intended by G-d, that he (the tzadik) should leave something for his children to (repair and thereby) become great (with it).

2

פְּעָמִים שֶׁבִּטּוּלָהּ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה זֶהוּ יְסוֹדָהּ.

2

2. There are times when desisting the study of Torah is its foundation.

3

מְקַבְּלִים מַתָּנוֹת מֵרְשָׁעִים, כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּחַזְרוּ בִּתְשׁוּבָה.

3

3. Gifts are (permitted to be) accepted from the wicked, so that they should return in repentance.

4

צַדִּיקִים מַהֲנֵי זְכוּתַיְהוּ אַעָלְמָא, אַדִּידְהוּ לָא.

4

4. Tzaddikim, their merit is beneficial for the world, but not for themselves.

5

מָצִינוּ שֶׁצַּדִּיק אֶחָד עוֹשֶׂה דָּבָר, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה רַבּוֹ לְצַדִּיק אַחֵר.

5

5. There are cases in which one Tzaddik does something, in order to be the rabbi of another Tzaddik.

6

תּוֹעֶלֶת גָּדוֹל לִרְאוֹת פְּנֵי גְּדוֹלֵי הַדּוֹר.

6

6. It is very beneficial to see the faces of the leaders (lit. great) of the generation.

7

הַצַּדִּיק נֶעֱנָשׁ, כְּשֶׁאֵינוֹ מִתְפַּלֵּל עַל דּוֹרוֹ.

7

7. A Tzaddik is punished when he does not pray for his generation.

8

הַלּוֹמֵד תּוֹרָה לְתַלְמִיד שֶׁאֵינוֹ הָגּוּן, נִקְרָא רָשָׁע.

8

8. One who teaches Torah to a student who is not becoming, is called "wicked".

9

לְשׁוֹן חֲכָמִים הִיא מְעַשֶּׁרֶת וּמַרְפֵּא, בְּכֵן תִּלְמַד לְדַבֵּר בִּלְשׁוֹנָם.

9

9. The language (terminology and phraseology) of the sages brings wealth and healing. This being the case, learn to speak in their language.

10

הַמְלַמֵּד תּוֹרָה לַאֲחֵרִים, הַתּוֹרָה נִתְגַּלֶּה לוֹ בְּלֹא טֹרַח.

10

10. One who teaches Torah to others, the Torah is revealed to him without effort.

11

מָצִינוּ שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק מִתְרַעֵם, כְּשֶׁאֶחָד מִתַּלְמִידָיו מְקָרֵב אֶת עַצְמוֹ לְצַדִּיק אַחֵר כְּדֵי לְהִתְפָּאֵר.

11

11. We find that a Tzaddik becomes belligerent when one of his students draws himself close to another Tzaddik in order to glorify himself.

12

לִקְרַב לַצַּדִּיקִים בְּטִרְחָא מִסְתַּיְעָא מִלְּתָא טְפֵי לַעֲבוֹדַת הַבּוֹרֵא.

12

12. Drawing close to Tzaddikim with strenuous effort is more propitious for the serving of G-d.

13

לִפְעָמִים מַרְאִים מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם לַצַּדִּיק דָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ.

13

13. Sometimes, from Heaven there is revealed to a Tzaddik, something which is not (t.n. The commentators propound an instance in the Talmud where R' Yochanan received a sign from Heaven that the Sage Shmuel had passed away. R' Yochanan was preparing to embark on a very long and exhausting journey to pay homage to Shmuel, and Heaven wanted to spare R' Yochanan the ordeal, thus when R' Yochanan sought a sign from Heaven whether to set out on the journey, he was led to believe that Shmuel had passed away).

14

הָעוֹשֶׂה טוֹבָה לְמִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ יוֹדְעָהּ, כְּזוֹרֵק אֶבֶן לְמַרְקוּלִיס.

14

14. One who does a favor for someone who is not aware of it, is like one who throws a stone to Marculis (an ancient form of idolatry).

15

כָּל אָדָם יִנְהַג אֶת עַצְמוֹ, כְּמוֹ שֶׁשָּׁמַע מֵרַבּוֹ.

15

15. Every man should conduct himself according to what he heard from his rabbi.

16

לִפְעָמִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא מְאַסֵּף כַּמָּה צַדִּיקִים בְּמָקוֹם אֶחָד, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּדְחֲקוּ זֶה אֶת זֶה וְיִצְטַעֲרוּ, וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה יִתְבַּשְּׁלוּ כָּל צָרְכָּם.

16

16. Sometimes G-d gathers several Tzaddikim together in one place, so that they will press upon each other and be discomfited, and through this, they will come to their maturity.

17

מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַעֲצִיר אֶת עַצְמוֹ, זוֹכֶה לְתַלְמִידִים.

17

17. One who does not hold back from relieving himself, merits to students.

18

יֵשׁ צַדִּיק שֶׁקּוֹלוֹ הוֹלֵךְ מֵרָחוֹק, הַיְנוּ בְּפִרְסוּם, וְאַחַר־כָּךְ הוּא נוֹפֵל עַל־יְדֵי תַּאֲוַת מָמוֹן.

18

18. There is a Tzaddik whose repute travels far, that is to say, with fame, and afterwards he falls through desiring money.

19

מִי שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא חָשׁוּב בְּעֵינָיו, יִכְתֹּב בְּסֵפֶר כָּל שְׁמוֹת הַצַּדִּיקִים וְהַתַּנָּאִים וְהַיְרֵאִים לְזִכָּרוֹן.

19

19. One who the Holy One Blessed He is important in his eyes, should write in a book all the names of the Tzaddikim, and the Tannaim (the rabbis who compiled the Mishnah), and the G-d fearing, for remembrance (t.n. Rabbi Nussun compiled and published such a book, it is called Shaimoas HaTzadikim, the Names of the Righteous).

20

אַל יִקְשֶׁה לְךָ, לָמָּה לָהֶם לַצַּדִּיקִים לֵהָנוֹת מֵאֲחֵרִים כְּדֵי לְהַנְהִיג אֶת בְּנֵי־בֵיתוֹ בְּעֹשֶׁר וּבְכָבוֹד, מוּטָב שֶׁלֹּא לְהַנְהִיג וְלֹא לֵהָנוֹת מֵאֲחֵרִים, אַל יִקְשֶׁה לְךָ, כִּי כָּל מַה שֶּׁיֵּשׁ תַּעֲנוּג וְהַרְחָבָה לַצַּדִּיק, עַל־יְדֵי־זֶה נִתְגַּדֵּל נִשְׁמָתוֹ, וַאֲזַי יֵשׁ בֵּית מְנוּחָה לִשְׁכִינַת הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא, וּבְכֵן אֵין לָבוֹא לַבַּיִת בְּיָדַיִם רֵיקָנִיּוֹת.

20

20. Do not question why the Tzaddikim benefit from others in order to conduct their households with wealth and honor -- Would it not be better for them to not conduct – and not benefit from others? Do not have this difficulty. Because for all the delight and expansion the Tzaddik has, his soul grows greater, and then there is created a House of Rest (Prophecy- i.e. a Temple) for the Divine Presence of the Holy One Blessed He. Thus, one should not come to the house (of the Tzaddik) empty-handed.

21

כְּשֶׁתִּרְצֶה שֶׁיִּתְפַּלֵּל עָלֶיךָ אֵיזֶה צַדִּיק, תֵּלֵךְ לְצַדִּיק שֶׁהוּא רַחֲמָן.

21

21. When you want a Tzaddik to pray for you, go to a Tzaddik who is merciful.

22

מִי שֶׁהוּא מְפֻרְסָם בְּדוֹרוֹ, צָרִיךְ לִקְרוֹת אוֹתוֹ רַבִּי, אֲפִלּוּ שֶׁאַתָּה גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ.

22

22. One who is famous in his generation, you should call him "Rabbi", even though you are greater than him.

23

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק נוֹפֵל לְאֵיזֶה צָרָה, צָרִיךְ לוֹ לְבַקֵּשׁ מִצַּדִּיק אַחֵר, שֶׁיִּתְפַּלֵּל בַּעֲדוֹ.

23

23. When a Tzaddik falls into some crisis, he should ask another Tzaddik to pray on his behalf.

24

אֵלּוּ בְּנֵי־אָדָם הַנּוֹסְעִים לַצַּדִּיק, אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאֵין מְקַבְּלִים תּוֹרָה מִמֶּנּוּ, מְקַבְּלִים שָׂכָר עַל הַנְּסִיעָה.

24

24. Those people who travel to a Tzaddik, even if they do not receive a Torah teaching from him, they are rewarded for the journey.

25

מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְשַׁמֵּשׁ תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִים, חַיָּב מִיתָה.

25

25. One who does not serve Torah scholars is liable to the death penalty.

26

הַצַּדִּיק יָכוֹל לְהַעֲלוֹת מֵתִים לְמַדְרֵגָה גְּדוֹלָה.

26

26. The Tzaddik can bring departed souls up to a great level.

27

בַּהֲלִיכָה שֶׁהוֹלֵךְ אֵצֶל תַּלְמִיד־חָכָם, בָּזֶה הוּא מְתַקֵּן פְּגַם שֶׁפָּגַם בְּבִרְכַּת הַנֶּהֱנִין.

27

27. In the walking that one does to come to a Torah scholar, with this he rectifies an infraction that he violated in the blessings of 'neh-henin' (benefit, pleasure; these are blessings said before eating or before smelling a fragrance).

28

כָּל שֶׁאֶפְשָׁר לוֹ לִמְחוֹת וְלֹא מִחָה, הוּא נֶעֱנָשׁ עֲלֵיהֶם.

28

28. Anyone who is capable of protesting and did not protest, is punished on their account.

29

לָאו אֹרַח אַרְעָא לְקַבֵּל מָרוּת אֲחֵרִים בִּפְנֵי הַצַּדִּיק.

29

29. It is not courteous to acknowledge the authority of others in front of the Tzaddik.

30

כָּל הַמִּתְעַצֵּל בְּהֶסְפֵּדוֹ שֶׁל חָכָם, אֵינוֹ מַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים.

30

30. All who are lethargic with the eulogy of a Torah scholar will not have length of years.

31

הַצַּדִּיק יָכוֹל לַעֲנֹשׁ לְפִי מַזָּלוֹ.

31

31. The Tzaddik can punish according to his fortune.

32

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק נִפְטָר, אֲזַי לָקוּתָא בָּא לְפִי מִדָּתוֹ שֶׁנָּהַג.

32

32. When a Tzaddik passes away, the world is hit with a deficiency according to his distinguishing attribute that he conducted.

33

בִּזְכוּת הַצַּדִּיק תַּלְמִידָיו מִתְפַּרְנְסִים.

33

33. In the merit of the Tzaddik, his students attain their livelihood.

34

מִי שֶׁשּׁוֹמֵעַ תּוֹרָה מֵהַצַּדִּיק, הֲוֵי כְּאִלּוּ הוּא אָמַר הַתּוֹרָה.

34

34. One who hears a Torah teaching from the Tzaddik is as if he himself said the teaching.

35

שְׁקוּלָה מִיתַת הַצַּדִּיקִים כִּשְׂרֵפַת בֵּית אֱלֹקֵינוּ.

35

35. The death of Tzaddikim is as grave as the burning of the Temple (lit. the House of our G-d).

36

אִם תַּלְמִיד־חָכָם הָגוּן הוּא לְמַד מִמֶּנּוּ, וְאִם לָאו פְּרֹשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ.

36

36. If a Torah scholar is an upright person, learn from him, and if not, separate yourself from him.

37

אֵין לְהִסְתַּכֵּל עַל רַבּוֹ בְּבֵית־הַמֶּרְחָץ וְכַדּוֹמֶה.

37

37. One should not look upon his rabbi in the bathhouse and the like.

38

לִפְעָמִים יֵשׁ שְׁנֵי צַדִּיקִים שָׁוִין, לְאֶחָד מַרְאִין לוֹ דְּבָרִים עֶלְיוֹנִים, וּלְאֶחָד אֵין מַרְאִין לוֹ. תֵּדַע שֶׁזֶּה שֶׁאֵין מַרְאִין לוֹ, מִפְּנֵי שֶׁצָּרִיךְ לְהִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁ בִּזְכוּתוֹ לְהָגֵן עַל אֲחֵרִים.

38

38. Sometimes there are two equal Tzaddikim, and to one there is revealed lofty things, while the other has no revelations. Know, that this that he is not shown anything is because it is necessary to use his merits for the protection of others.

39

מוּטָב לְקָרֵב אֶת עַצְמוֹ לְצַּדִּיק שֶׁהוּא רַחֲמָן.

39

39. It is better to draw close to a Tzaddik who is merciful.

40

בִּזְכוּת שִׁמּוּשׁ אָדָם גָּדוֹל אָדָם נִצּוֹל מִמִּיתָה.

40

40. In the merit of serving a great man, one is saved from death.

41

הַמּוֹרֶה הֲלָכָה בִּפְנֵי רַבּוֹ, חַיָּב מִיתָה, וְרָאוּי לְהַכִּישׁוֹ נָחָשׁ, וְנִקְרָא חוֹטֵא, וּמוֹרִידִין אוֹתוֹ מִגְּדֻלָּתוֹ, וְאָזִיל לִשְׁאוֹל בְּלֹא וָלָד.

41

41. One who rules a halachic (Jewish law) decision in the presence of his rabbi is liable to the death penalty, and it is fitting for a snake to bite him, and he is called a sinner, and he is cast down from his greatness, and he descends to Hell childless.

42

הַמָּקוֹר שֶׁמִּמֶּנּוּ תִּשְׁאַב הַחָכְמָה דְּהַיְנוּ הָרַב, הִשְׁתַּדֵּל שֶׁיִּהְיֶה בָּרוּךְ וְכָשֵׁר, וְלֹא תַחֲלִיפֶנּוּ, לֹא תָמִיר אוֹתוֹ.

42

42. The source from which one draws wisdom -- that is, the Rabbi -- be sure that he is blessed and worthy, and do not replace him and do not exchange him.

43

כָּל אִישׁ יִדָּמֶה בְּמַעֲשָׂיו לְבִרְכַּת אוֹתוֹ הַשֵּׁבֶט.

43

43. Every Jew should (/will) conduct himself in accordance with the blessing that was given to his tribe.

44

כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ רָשָׁע בַּבַּיִת, אֲזַי נִסְתַּלֵּק מֵהַצַּדִּיק מַעְיַן הַתּוֹרָה.

44

44. When there is an evildoer in the house, the wellsprings of the Torah depart from the Tzaddikim.

45

בִּזְכוּת קְבוּרַת הַצַּדִּיקִים בְּחוּץ לָאָרֶץ יִזְכּוּ גַּם שְׁאָר הַמֵּתִים מִגִּלְגּוּל מְחִלּוֹת.

45

45. In the merit of the Tzaddikim buried outside of Israel, the other corpses will also merit to (be transported to Israel through) rolling in underground passages.

46

הַמָּמוֹן שֶׁמְּהַנֶּה אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, הֲרֵי זֶה כְּאִלּוּ עָבַד עֲבוֹדַת בֵּית־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ.

46

46. The money from which a Tzaddik benefits is as if it had been used for the service in the Holy Temple.

47

יֵשׁ צַדִּיקִים שֶׁאֵינָם נִקְרָאִים בְּשֵׁם רַבִּי.

47

47. There are Tzaddikim who are not called by the title of Rebbe.

48

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק אוֹמֵר אֵיזֶהוּ דִּבּוּר, כָּל זְמַן שֶׁהַדִּבּוּר לֹא נִתְקַיֵּם, שֶׁעֲדַיִן לֹא בָּא זְמַנּוֹ, הַדִּבּוּר הַזֶּה חָקוּק בָּעוֹלָם הָעֶלְיוֹן, אֲבָל אֵין מֵאִיר בִּבְהִירוּת, וּכְשֶׁמַּגִּיעַ הַזְּמַן שֶׁיִּתְקַיֵּם, אֲזַי הַדִּבּוּר מַתְחִיל לְהָאִיר בִּבְהִירוּת.

48

48. When a Tzaddik says something, as long as it does not come to pass, because its time has not come, the statement is engraved in the supernal world, but does not radiate brightly, and when its time comes to be manifest, the words begin to radiate brightly.

49

הַמְהַנֶּה אֶת תַּלְמִיד־חָכָם, צָרִיךְ לְחַזֵּק שֶׁלֹּא יִתְבַּזֶּה בְּעֵינָיו הַתַּלְמִיד־חָכָם.

49

49. One who gives benefit to a Torah scholar must strengthen himself, that the scholar should not become disrespected in his eyes.

50

הַמּוֹנֵעַ הֲלָכָה מִתַּלְמִידוֹ, כְּאִלּוּ גּוֹזְלוֹ מִנַּחֲלַת אֲבוֹתָיו, וַאֲפִלּוּ עֻבָּרִין שֶׁבִּמְעֵי אִמָּן מְקַלְּלִין אוֹתוֹ וּמְנַקְּבִין אוֹתוֹ כִּכְבָרָה. וְאִם לִמְּדוֹ זוֹכֶה לִבְרָכוֹת כְּיוֹסֵף, וְזוֹכֶה וּמְלַמְּדָהּ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

50

50. One who withholds a Halacha (Torah law) from his student is as if he stole the student's ancestral inheritance. Even fetuses in their mothers' wombs curse him and he is pierced full of holes as a sieve. If he teaches him (it – the student or the halacha), he merits to blessings like Joseph, and merits to teach it also in the World to Come.

51

מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מְהַנֶּה תַּלְמִיד־חָכָם מִנְּכָסָיו, אֵינוֹ רוֹאֶה סִימָן בְּרָכָה לְעוֹלָם.

51

51. One who does not give support to a Torah scholar from his possessions will never see a sign of blessing.

52

הַמְלַגְלֵג עַל דִּבְרֵי חֲכָמִים, הוּא נֶעֱנָשׁ מִיתָה.

52

52. One who scoffs at the words of the sages is punished by death.

53

קִרְבַת הַצַּדִּיקִים טוֹב בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וּבָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

53

53. Drawing close to Tzaddikim is beneficial both in this world and the next world.

54

הַצַּדִּיק בְּדִבּוּרוֹ יָכוֹל לִפְסֹק לָזֶה גַּן־עֵדֶן וְלָזֶה גֵיהִנֹּם.

54

54. The Tzaddik, through his word, can sentence one man to Heaven and another to Hell.

55

טוֹב לְבַלּוֹת זְמַן רַב, בִּשְׁבִיל שָׁעָה אַחַת, שֶׁיִּתְקָרֵב לַצַּדִּיק.

55

55. It is good to expend much time in order to gain one hour of closeness to the Tzaddik.

56

כְּשֶׁנִּתְמַעֵט לָאָדָם מְשַׁמְּשָׁיו, יִדְאַג מִיּוֹם הַמִּיתָה אוֹ מִדָּבָר אַחֵר.

56

56. When a man loses some of his servants, he should worry from the day of death, or of leprosy (lit. something else).

57

יֵשׁ נָאֶה דּוֹרֵשׁ, וְאַף־עַל־פִּי־כֵן אֵינוֹ מְכַוֵּן אֶל הָאֱמֶת.

57

57. There is one who expounds beautifully (on the Torah), and even still he misses the true intention.

58

צַדִּיק יָכוֹל לְהַגְבִּיהַּ תּוֹרָה שֶׁל צַדִּיק אַחֵר.

58

58. A Tzaddik can raise up the Torah teaching of another Tzaddik.

59

מַה שֶּׁהַצַּדִּיק מְחַדֵּשׁ בַּתּוֹרָה, הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא אוֹמְרָהּ בִּשְׁמוֹ.

59

59. Whatever new teachings a Tzaddik propounds in the Torah, the Holy One Blessed He quotes them in his name.

60

דִּבְרֵי צַדִּיקִים חֲכָמִים חֲבִיבִים מִדִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה וּמִדִּבְרֵי נְבִיאִים, וְצָרִיךְ לִשְׁמֹעַ וּלְצַיֵּת אוֹתָם אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאֵין מַרְאִין לְךָ שׁוּם מוֹפֵת.

60

60. The words of wise Tzaddikim are more precious than the words of the written Torah and the Prophets. One must listen and obey them, even if they show no proof.

61

מִי שֶׁמְשַׁבֵּחַ אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, יָנוּחוּ בְּרָכוֹת עַל ראֹשׁוֹ.

61

61. One who praises the Tzaddik, blessings will rest upon his head.

62

הַצַּדִּיק שֶׁבָּעִיר – כָּל דִּבְרֵיהֶם עָלָיו מֻטָּל.

62

62. The Tzaddik of a city -- all of its affairs are incumbent upon him.

63

מֻתָּר לְצַדִּיק לְשַׁמֵּשׁ עִם מִי שֶׁהוּא שׁוֹנֶה הֲלָכוֹת, כְּשֶׁהוּא מְלַמְּדוֹ אֵיזֶהוּ דָּבָר חָדָשׁ.

63

63. It is permitted for a Tzaddik to put to his service someone who reviews Halacha (i.e. a Torah scholar), provided that he (the tzadik) teaches him (the attendant) something new.

64

מִי שֶׁמֵּבִיא אֶת עַם־הָאָרֶץ לִקְרַב תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַצַּדִּיק מְקַבֵּל עַל־יְדֵי זֶה שָׂכָר.

64

64. One who brings a boorish (uneducated) man to be drawn close under the wings of the Tzaddik, receives reward for it.

65

עַל־יְדֵי הַקְבָּלַת פְּנֵי הָרַב לֹא יִרְאֶה שַׁחַת.

65

65. Through greeting a Torah authority, one will not see Hell.

66

לִפְעָמִים הַתְּפִלָּה אֵינָהּ מוֹעֶלֶת אֶלָּא בִּשְׁעָתָהּ, וּכְשֶׁפּוֹסְקִין מִלְהִתְפַּלֵּל, עוֹשֶׂה הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא רְצוֹנוֹ וְחֶפְצוֹ.

66

66. Sometimes, prayer is only effective at the time it is said, and when the prayer is stopped, the Holy One Blessed He (returns and) does His will and His desire.

67

הַמֵּבִיא דּוֹרוֹן לְתַלְמִיד־חָכָם, כְּאִלּוּ מַקְרִיב בִּכּוּרִים.

67

67. One who brings a gift to a Torah scholar is as if he offered Bikurim (offering of the first fruit).

68

אֵין לְהַטְרִיחַ אֶת הַמָּקוֹם.

68

68. One should not unduly task G-d.

69

מִי שֶׁאוֹהֵב אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, צָרִיךְ לִשְׁמֹר אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, שֶׁלֹּא יֵצֵא עָלָיו שֵׁם רָע.

69

69. One who loves the Tzaddik must guard the Tzaddik, so that there doesn't go out on him a bad reputation.

70

כָּל טוֹבָתָן שֶׁל רְשָׁעִים רָעָה הִיא אֵצֶל הַצַּדִּיקִים.

70

70. All the good (kindness) that wicked people do is harmful (bad) to the tzaddikim.

71

אַל תִּתְפַּלֵּל וְאַל תַּטְרִיחַ אֶת קוֹנְךָ, כָּל זְמַן שֶׁאַתָּה יָכוֹל לַעֲשׂוֹת בִּפְעֻלָּה.

71

71. Do not pray and burden your Creator, so long as you can reach your objective through your own action.

72

הַצַּדִּיק – כָּל זְמַן שֶׁהוּא בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, הַגַּן־עֵדֶן שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ מִשְׁתַּמְּשִׁין בּוֹ הַצַּדִּיקִים הָאֲחֵרִים שֶׁבְּגַן־עֵדֶן.

72

72. The Tzaddik, as long as he is in this world, the Heaven ('Gan Eden') that is reserved for him is used by other tzaddikim in Heaven.

73

יֵשׁ תַּלְמִידִים שֶׁעִקָּרָם תְּלוּיִים בִּזְכוּת הַצַּדִּיק, וּכְשֶׁנִּסְתַּלֵק הַצַּדִּיק אֲזַי נִסְתַּלְּקִים גַּם הֵם אוֹ נֶעֱנָשִׁים.

73

73. There are students who are primarily dependent on the merit of the Tzaddik. When the Tzaddik passes away, then they too pass away, or they are punished.

74

הַמְקֹרָבִים שֶׁיֵּשׁ לַצַּדִּיק בְּחַיָּיו, הֵם יִהְיוּ מְקֹרָבִים בְּמוֹתָם.

74

74. Those who are close to a certain Tzaddik in his lifetime, they will be close to him after his death ( there is an alternate reading – their death).

75

מִי שֶׁהָיָה מְקֹרָב לְצַּדִּיק אֶחָד, וְאַחַר־כָּךְ מְקָרֵב אֶת עַצְמוֹ לְצַדִּיק אַחֵר, הַתּוֹרָה שֶׁשָּׁמַע מֵהַצַּדִּיק הָרִאשׁוֹן מַטְרִידִין אוֹתוֹ.

75

75. One who had been close to one Tzaddik, and afterwards draws close to a different Tzaddik, the Torah teachings he heard from the first, encumber him.

76

לִפְעָמִים הַצַּדִּיק נִפְטַר, כְּדֵי שֶׁיַּכְרִיעַ אֵיזֶה דִּין לְמַעְלָה.

76

76. Sometimes a Tzaddik passes away, in order to be the pivotal decider of some ruling Above.

77

אֵיזֶהוּ בֶּן עוֹלָם הַבָּא, זֶה שֶׁחוֹלְקִין לוֹ כָּבוֹד מֵחֲמַת חָכְמָתוֹ.

77

77. Who is destined to inherit the World to Come? One who is granted honor due to his wisdom.

78

עַל־יְדֵי צְדָקָה נַעֲשָׂה סוּר מֵרָע.

78

78. Through giving charity, one gains the quality of distancing himself from wrongdoing.

79

אֵינְךָ זָקוּק לְיַסֵּר תַּלְמִידְךָ וּלְסַלְקוֹ מִלְּפָנֶיךָ, כְּשֶׁאֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה לֵילֵךְ בְּדֶרֶךְ הַיָּשָׁר, אֶלָּא תְּקָרְבֵהוּ, כִּי זֶה טוֹבַת שְׁאָר הַתַּלְמִידִים, וְסוֹפוֹ לָתֵת לֵב.

79

79. It is not necessary to punish your student and banish him from your presence, when he does not want to go in the straight path. Rather, draw him close to you, for this is beneficial to the other students, and eventually he will reform (lit. give heart).

80

לִפְעָמִים אָדָם מֵת קֹדֶם זְמַנּוֹ עַל־יְדֵי תַּרְעֹמֶת צַדִּיק.

80

80. Sometimes a man dies before his time due to the grievance of a Tzaddik against him.

81

יָכוֹל לִהְיוֹת שֶׁיִּהְיֶה אָדָם צַדִּיק גָּדוֹל, אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶּׁלֹּא לָמַד הַרְבֵּה.

81

81. It is possible for a man to be a great Tzaddik, even though he did not learn a lot.

82

מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מַאֲמִין בְּדִבְרֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים, רָאוּי לְעֹנֶשׁ, כָּל־שֶׁכֵּן מְלַגְלֵג.

82

82. One who does not believe in the words of the tzaddikim is fit to be punished, all the more so one who ridicules them.

83

כְּשֶׁאֶחָד בָּא לְקָרֵב אֶת עַצְמוֹ לַצַּדִּיק, מֻתַּר לוֹ לְהַרְחִיקוֹ, כְּשֶׁשּׁוֹאֵל קֻשְׁיוֹת שֶׁאֵינוֹ צָרִיךְ.

83

83. When one comes to draw close to a Tzaddik, he (the tzaddik) is allowed to distance him when he asks unnecessary questions.

84

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק אוֹמֵר תּוֹרָה לָעָם, מֻתָּר לוֹ לְחַבֵּב תּוֹרָתוֹ בְּעֵינֵיהֶם קֹדֶם שֶׁיֹּאמַר.

84

84. When a Tzaddik delivers a Torah teaching to the people, he is permitted to endear his teaching in their eyes before he says it.

85

אֲפִלּוּ זִוּוּג רִאשׁוֹן מִתְהַפֵּךְ בִּתְפִלָּה.

85

85. Even a person's first (intended) soulmate can be changed through prayer.

86

בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה כָּל הָרוֹצֶה לְקָרֵב אֶת עַצְמוֹ מְקָרֵב, אֲבָל בָּעוֹלָם הַבָּא אֵין מְקָרְבִין אֶלָּא הַמְקֹרָבִין מִכְּבָר.

86

86. In this world anyone who wants to bring himself close – can draw close. But in the World to Come, only those who were already close will be drawn close(r).

87

צַדִּיק שֶׁקֵּרֵב אֶת הָאָדָם, וְהָאָדָם הַזֶּה לֹא רָצָה לְקָרֵב אֶת עַצְמוֹ, מֻתָּר לוֹ לִדְחוֹת בְּיָדַיִם.

87

87. A Tzaddik who drew a person close, but the person did not want to draw himself close, it is permitted for him (the tzaddik) to push him away (with his hands).

88

הַצַּדִּיק יָכוֹל לַעֲנֹשׁ אֶת הָאָדָם בְּמִיתָה, אֲפִלּוּ עַל־יְדֵי חֲלִישׁוּת דַּעְתּוֹ, אֲפִלּוּ בְּטָעוּת.

88

88. The Tzaddik can punish a person with death, even through being disheartened – even mistakenly.

89

דְּבָרִים שֶׁאַתָּה שׁוֹמֵעַ מִפִּי הַצַּדִּיק, הֵם מוֹעִילִים יוֹתֵר, מִמַּה שֶׁאַתָּה לוֹמֵד בִּסְפָרִים.

89

89. Things that you hear (directly) from the mouth of a Tzaddik are more effective than what you learn from books.

90

אָדָם מֵבִין יוֹתֵר, כְּשֶׁרוֹאֶה פְּנֵי הַמְדַבֵּר.

90

90. A person understands better when he sees the face of the speaker.

91

עַל־יְדֵי דִּבּוּר קַל שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק נִפְתָּח אוֹר גָּדוֹל, אָז בְּנָקֵל לִבְנֵי־אָדָם לְהַשִּׂיג חָכְמוֹת רָמוֹת.

91

91. Through the casual (lit. light) speech of the Tzaddik, a great light is opened up. Then it is easy for people to attain high wisdoms.

92

מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ נוֹהֵג כַּשּׁוּרָה, מֻתָּר לְהִשְׁתַּעְבֵּד בּוֹ.

92

92. One who does not behave properly, it is permitted to enslave him.

93

לִפְעָמִים הַצַּדִּיק מְנַשֵּׂא אֶת הָאָדָם וְאַחַר כָּךְ מַשְׁפִּילוֹ וְזֶה לְטוֹבַת הָאִיש.

93

93. Sometimes a Tzaddik raises up a man, and then humbles him, and this is for the man's benefit.

94

יֵשׁ צַדִּיק נִקְרָא טוֹב, וְיֵשׁ צַדִּיק שֶׁאֵינוֹ נִקְרָא טוֹב, וְיֵשׁ רָשָׁע רָע, וְיֵשׁ רָשָׁע שֶׁאֵינוֹ רָע.

94

94. There is a Tzaddik who is called "good", and there is a Tzaddik who is not called "good", and there is an evildoer who is evil, and an evildoer who is not evil.

95

גְּנַאי הוּא וְשִׁפְלוּת לְדוֹר, שֶׁכְּפוּפִין לָזֶה שֶׁאֵין לוֹ מִי שֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂה מְלַאכְתּוֹ.

95

95. It is a disgrace, and lowliness of the generation, when the people are subject to a leader who has no one to do his work for him.

96

לְלַמֵּד לַאֲחֵרִים עָדִיף מִמַּעֲשֶׂה.

96

96. To teach others (Torah) is greater than doing (actual fulfillment of the Torah).

97

יֵשׁ לְהִזָּהֵר מִלְּהַרְאוֹת חֲסִידוּת לִפְנֵי גְּדוֹלִים.

97

97. One should be careful not to show hasidus (special piety in keeping the Torah and devotion to G-d) before great people (leaders).

98

מַהוּת הָאָדָם נִכָּר עַל־יְדֵי הִתְקָרְבוּתוֹ; כְּשֶׁרוֹאִין לְמִי הוּא מְקֹרָב.

98

98. The essence of a man is recognizable according to his drawing close, by seeing to whom he his close.

99

הַצַּדִּיק – אַל יְסַכֵּן עַצְמוֹ לְהִתְפַּלֵּל בְּעַצְמוֹ, עַד שֶׁיִּהְיֶה הוּא מְסֻכָּן, אֶלָּא יִשְׁתַּתֵּף עִמּוֹ צַדִּיק אַחֵר.

99

99. A Tzaddik should not endanger himself by praying alone, to the extent that he is endangered, rather he should have another Tzaddik join him.

100

הַצַּדִּיק יֵשׁ לוֹ כֹּחַ לְהִתְפַּלֵּל עַל אָדָם שֶׁיִּנָּצֵל מֵחֲטָאִים.

100

100. A Tzaddik has the power to pray for a man, that he should be saved from sins.

101

הַצַּדִּיק הוּא הַצֶּלֶם־אֱלֹקִים שֶׁל הַדּוֹר.

101

101. The Tzaddik is the image of G-d of the generation.

102

הַצַּדִּיק הוּא סוֹבֵל לְסוֹבְלָיו בְּעֵת צָרָתָם.

102

102. The Tzaddik bears those who bear him at the time of their pain.

103

יָכוֹל אָדָם שֶׁיִּהְיֶה צַדִּיק, אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ בִּטָּחוֹן בִּשְׁלֵמוּת.

103

103. It is possible for someone to be a Tzaddik, even if he does not possess the trait of trust (in G-d) in completeness.

104

הַצַּדִּיק יָכוֹל לְהִתְעַנֵּג, וְאֵינוֹ יָרֵא מֵהַיֵּצֶר הָרָע, כִּי תּוֹרָתוֹ מֵגֵנָּה עָלָיו.

104

104. The Tzaddik can take delight (from the physical world), and need not fear from the evil inclination, for his Torah protects him.

105

מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ עוֹמֵד בִּפְנֵי רַבּוֹ, נִקְרָא רָשָׁע וְאֵינוֹ מַאֲרִיךְ יָמִים וְתַלְמוּדוֹ מִשְׁתַּכֵּחַ.

105

105. Someone who does not stand up before his rabbi is called "wicked", and does not live a long life, and his Torah learning is forgotten.

106

אֵין לְהַטְרִיחַ אֶת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ כְּשֶׁיְּכוֹלִין לְהוֹעִיל עַל־יְדֵי דָּבָר אַחֵר.

106

106. One should not burden the blessed G-d, when one can be helped through other means.

107

לִפְעָמִים עַל־יְדֵי נַחַת־רוּחַ אֶחָד וּמְעַט שֶׁעוֹשִׂין לַצַּדִּיק, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה זוֹכִין לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

107

107. Sometimes, through one bit of satisfaction one brings to the Tzaddik, through this one merits to the World to Come.

108

מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ אֱמוּנָה שְׁלֵמָה בַּשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, יָכוֹל לַעֲשׂוֹת נַחַת־רוּחַ לַצַּדִּיק.

108

108. One who has complete faith in the blessed G-d can give satisfaction to the Tzaddik.

109

מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ שׁוּם הִרְהוּרֵי עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה, הוּא מִשְׁתּוֹקֵק תָּמִיד לְהַצִּיל אֶת הַצַּדִּיקִים.

109

109. One who does not have a trace of thoughts of idolatry, he constantly longs to save the tzaddikim.

110

מִי שֶׁרוֹצֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת טוֹבָה לַצַּדִּיק, הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־ הוּא נוֹתֵן לוֹ כֹּחַ לָזֶה.

110

110. One who wants to do a favor for the Tzaddik, the Holy One Blessed He gives him strength for it..

111

תַּלְמִיד־חָכָם הַמְבַעֵט בְּרַבּוֹתָיו, נִתְקַצְּרוּ שְׁנוֹתָיו.

111

111. A Torah scholar who shows impudence to his rabbis causes his years to be shortened.

112

הַמַּנְהִיג עַצְמוֹ בָּרַבָּנוּת כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ, נִתְקַצְּרִים שְׁנוֹתָיו.

112

112. One who conducts himself with Rabbinic authority when there is someone greater than him, his years are shortened.

113

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק צָרִיךְ לְהִתְפַּלֵּל שֶׁיִּתְנוּ לוֹ אֵיזֶה דָּבָר וְיָרֵא מֵהַמְקַטְרְגִים עַל צִדְקָתוֹ, יְבַקֵּשׁ הֵפֶךְ רְצוֹנוֹ.

113

113. When a Tzaddik needs to pray to be given something, and he fears from forces challenging his righteousness, he should ask for the opposite of what he wants.

114

כְּשֶׁרָשָׁע עוֹשֶׂה אֵיזֶה רָעָה וּבָא לְהַצַּדִּיק וְשׁוֹאֵל מִמֶּנּוּ אִם יָפֶה עָשָׂה, מֻתָּר לוֹמַר לוֹ: יָפֶה עָשִׂיתָ, כְּדֵי לְהַצִּיל אֶת נַפְשׁוֹ.

114

114. When a wicked man does some evil, and comes to the Tzaddik and asks him if what he (the wicked man) did was acceptable, it is permissible (for the Tzaddik) to tell him, "You did well", in order to save himself (lit. his soul).

115

מִי שֶׁמַּפְרִישׁ בְּנֵי־אָדָם מִלָּבוֹא תַּחַת כַּנְפֵי הַשְּׁכִינָה, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה נוֹפְלִים בָּנָיו לְעַבְדוּת.

115

115. One who separates people from coming under the wings of the Divine Presence causes his sons to fall into slavery.

116

לִפְעָמִים צָרִיךְ לְבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים עַל הַחוֹלֶה שֶׁיָּמוּת.

116

116. Sometimes it is necessary to pray for mercy on a sick person - that he should die.

117

בִּתְחִלָּה הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא מְגַלֶּה הַסּוֹד בַּתּוֹרָה לַצַּדִּיק, וְאַחַר־כָּךְ אוֹמֵר הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא הַתּוֹרָה בִּשְׁבִיל [בְּשֵׁם] הַצַּדִּיק.

117

117. First the Holy One Blessed He reveals a secret of the Torah to a Tzaddik, and afterwards, the Holy One Blessed He says this Torah in the name of that Tzaddik .

118

לִפְעָמִים הַצַּדִּיק מִתְעַנֶּה וּמִתְפַּלֵּל וְאֵינוֹ מוֹעִיל.

118

118. Sometimes the Tzaddik fasts and prays, and it does not help.

119

הַצַּדִּיק מֻתָּר לוֹ לִפְרֹץ גְּדָרִים שֶׁל אֲחֵרִים בִּשְׁבִיל דַּרְכּוֹ.

119

119. It is permitted for the Tzaddik to break through the (religious) safeguards of others to forge his own way.

120

לִפְעָמִים גּוֹזְרִים מִלְמַעְלָה עַל מִסְפַּר בְּנֵי־אָדָם שֶׁיָּמוּתוּ, וְיֵשׁ אֶחָד בֵּינֵיהֶם שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק אוֹהֵב אוֹתוֹ, יֵשׁ כֹּחַ בַּצַּדִּיק לְהִתְפַּלֵּל עָלָיו וּלְהַצִּיל אוֹתוֹ וְלִתֵּן אַחֵר תַּחְתָּיו.

120

120. Sometimes it is decreed from Above that a number of people should die, and there is one among them that the Tzaddik loves. The Tzaddik has the power to pray for him, and save him, and put another in his place.

121

יֵשׁ כֹּחַ בַּצַּדִּיק לִקַּח מִזֶּה וְלִתֵּן לָזֶה.

121

121. A Tzaddik has the power to take from one and give to another.

122

בִּרְכַּת הַצַּדִּיק הוּא פִּדְיוֹן.

122

122. The blessing of a Tzaddik is a Pidyon (redemption, ransom).

123

כָּל צַדִּיק יֵשׁ לוֹ דְּבַר עֲבוֹדָה, שֶׁצַּדִּיק אַחֵר, אֲפִלּוּ גָּדוֹל מִמֶּנּוּ, אֵינוֹ יָכוֹל לְהַשִּׂיג עֲבוֹדָתוֹ.

123

123. Each Tzaddik has a matter of devotion that another Tzaddik, even one greater than he, cannot attain (conception of) his service.

124

מַה שֶּׁהַצַּדִּיקִים נוֹסְעִים מִמָּקוֹם לְמָקוֹם בִּשְׁבִיל מָמוֹן, כִּי דִּבְרֵי תוֹרָה עֲנִיִּים בִּמְקוֹמָם וַעֲשִׁירִים בְּמָקוֹם אַחֵר.

124

124. That which tzaddikim travel from place to place for (to raise) money, it is because the words of Torah are poor in one place and rich in another.

125

אֲרִיכַת יָמִים שֶׁל תַּלְמִיד־חָכָם בָּא, כְּשֶׁמְּכַבְּדִין זֶה אֶת זֶה.

125

125. Length of years comes to Torah scholars when they honor each other.

126

אֵינָהּ דּוֹמָה תְּפִלַּת צַדִּיק בֶּן צַדִּיק לִתְפִלַּת צַדִּיק בֶּן רָשָׁע.

126

126. There is no comparing the prayer of a Tzaddik who is the son of a Tzaddik, to the prayer of a Tzaddik who is the son of a wicked man.

127

מִי שֶׁמְּנַסֶּה אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, כְּאִלּוּ מְנַסֶּה אֶת הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא.

127

127. One who puts the Tzaddik to the test is as if he tests the Holy One Blessed He.

128

כָּל הַגְּבִיּוֹת שֶׁאֻמּוֹת הָעוֹלָם גּוֹבִין מִיִּשְׂרָאֵל, אֵין זֶה אֶלָּא בִּשְׁבִיל הַפְּגָם שֶׁפָּגְמוּ בִּכְבוֹד הַצַּדִּיק.

128

128. All the levies that the nations demand from the Jewish People are only due to the violation that they violated the honor of the Tzaddik.

129

כְּשֶׁשּׂוֹנְאֵי הַשֵּׁם דּוֹבְרִים וְחוֹלְקִים עַל הַצַּדִּיק, הוּא כָּבוֹד גָּדוֹל לַצַּדִּיק.

129

129. When those who hate G-d slander and stand against the Tzaddik, it is a great honor for the Tzaddik.

130

עַל־יְדֵי אֱמוּנַת צַדִּיקִים נִמְתָּק הַדִּין.

130

130. Through faith in tzaddikim, the Din (judgement) is sweetened.

131

הַצַּדִּיק הוּא מְלַמֵּד אֶת הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא בְּתוֹרָתוֹ, אֵיךְ יִתְנַהֵג עִמָּנוּ.

131

131. The Tzaddik teaches G-d through his Torah (exegesis), how to deal with us.

132

הַתְּפִלָּה שֶּׁאָדָם מִתְפַּלֵּל בְּהִתְקַשְּׁרוּת הַצַּדִּיקִים, הוּא נַעֲנֶה.

132

132. The prayer a person prays with attachment to the tzaddikim, it is answered.

133

הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא מוֹחֵל עֲווֹנוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל בִּשְׁבִיל הַצַּדִּיקִים.

133

133. The Holy One Blessed He forgives the sins of Israel for the sake of the tzaddikim.

134

הַלֵּיצָנוּת אֵינוֹ מַנִּיחַ אֶת הָאָדָם לֵילֵךְ לְצַּדִּיקִים.

134

134. The mockery, does not allow one to go to the tzaddikim.

135

עַל־יְדֵי צְדָקָה זוֹכֶה לְהִתְקָרְבוּת לַצַּדִּיקִים.

135

135. Through charity, one merits to come close to tzaddikim.

136

אֵין לְךָ צַדִּיק שֶׁאֵין עָלָיו מַחֲלֹקֶת וּמְחַקְּרִים.

136

136. There is no Tzaddik who does not have a conflict on him, and investigators.

137

יֵשׁ רָשָׁע שֶׁהוּא בּוֹשׁ לִכְפֹּר בַּצַּדִּיק עַצְמוֹ וּמְדַבֵּר רָעוֹת עַל אֵלּוּ שֶׁהֵם תַּחַת הַצַּדִּיק.

137

137. There is a (type of) evildoer who is ashamed to blaspheme the Tzaddik himself, and so he slanders those that are under the Tzaddik.

138

עַל־יְדֵי רְאִיַּת פְּנֵי הַצַּדִּיק נִתְחַדֵּד הַשֵּׂכֶל.

138

138. Through seeing the face of the Tzaddik, the intellect is sharpened.

139

מִי שֶׁשּׁוֹמֵר אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, שֶׁלֹּא יִפֹּל בּוֹ שׁוּם צַעַר, יִזְכֶּה לְכָבוֹד וְיֶהֱנֶה מִצִּדְקַת הַצַּדִּיק.

139

139. One who protects the Tzaddik, that no suffering should come to him, will merit to honor, and will benefit from the righteousness of the Tzaddik.

140

עַל־יְדֵי שְׁמִיעַת תּוֹרָה מִפִּי הַצַּדִּיק מְקַבְּלִין חִיּוּת.

140

140. Through hearing Torah directly from the (mouth of the) Tzaddik, one receives vitality.

141

רָשָׁע שֶׁעָשָׂה חֲטָאִים רַבִּים, תַּקָּנָתוֹ – שֶׁיִּהְיֶה פְּעֻלּוֹתָיו לְחַיּוֹת אֶת הַצַּדִּיק.

141

141. An evildoer who has committed many sins, his rectification is – that his actions should be (geared) to give vitality to the Tzaddik.

142

כְּשֶׁרָשָׁע מַכְנִיעַ אֶת עַצְמוֹ תַּחַת הַצַּדִּיק, בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁנִּגְזַר עַל הַצַּדִּיק אֵיזֶה צָרָה וְעַכְשָׁו לֹא יָבוֹא עָלָיו עוֹד הַצָּרָה.

142

142. When an evildoer submits himself under the Tzaddik, it is certain that some hardship had been decreed upon the Tzaddik, and now the hardship will no longer come upon him.

143

כְּשֶׁתִּירָא מֵהַצַּדִּיק, תִּזְכֶּה לָסוּר מֵרָע.

143

143. When you have fear of the Tzaddik, you will merit to distance yourself from wrongdoing.

144

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק שׁוֹרֶה בְּצַעַר, וְהָרָשָע מְבַקֵּשׁ רַחֲמִים עָלָיו, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה יִזְכֶּה לֶעָתִיד לַעֲמֹד עַל שַׁעֲרֵי צַדִּיק.

144

144. When a Tzaddik is set with pain, and an evildoer asks for mercy on his behalf, through this he will merit in the future to stand at the gates of a Tzaddik.

145

מַה שֶּׁלִּפְעָמִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא אֵינוֹ שׁוֹמֵעַ תְּפִלַּת הַצַּדִּיק, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּדְחֶה בָּזֶה אֶת הָרְשָׁעִים, שֶׁיִּשָּׁאֲרוּ בְּרִשְׁעוּתָן.

145

145. That which the Holy One Blessed He does not heed the prayer of the Tzaddik, (it is) in order to thus reject the evildoers, that they should remain in their wickedness.

146

עַל־יְדֵי מַחֲלֹקֶת עַל הַצַּדִּיק שׁוֹכְחִין אֶת הַתּוֹרָה.

146

146. Through conflict on the Tzaddik, the Torah is forgotten.

147

הַשֶּׁבַח שֶׁמְּשַׁבְּחִין אֶת הַצַּדִּיקִים, כְּאִלּוּ מְשַׁבְּחִין אֶת הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא.

147

147. The praise that is extolled of the tzaddikim is as if it is praise to the Holy One Blessed He.

148

עִיר שֶׁהִיא צַיָּת אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, אֵין מִלְחָמָה נִשְׁמַעַת בָּהּ וְאֵין מְהוּמָה וְאֵין שְׁמוּעָה רָעָה.

148

148. A city that obeys the Tzaddik, no war is heard in it, and there are no upheavals or evil tidings.

149

הַהִתְנַגְּדוּת עַל הַצַּדִּיקִים זֶה בָּא מֵהִתְנַגְּדוּת שֶׁבֵּין הַצַּדִּיקִים בְּעַצְמָן.

149

149. The opposition to the tzaddikim comes from the opposition between the tzaddikim themselves.

150

בִּשְׁבִיל זֶה הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא נוֹתֵן פַּרְנָסָה לַצַּדִּיק עַל־יְדֵי הֲמוֹן־עַם, כְּדֵי שֶׁיִּהְיֶה לוֹ אֵיזֶה הִתְחַבְּרוּת עִמָּהֶם, וּכְשֶׁיִּזְכֹּר הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, יִזְכֹּר גַּם אוֹתָם.

150

150. For this reason the Holy One Blessed He gives livelihood to a Tzaddik through the general populace, in order that he will have some connection with them, [and] so that when the Holy One Blessed He remembers the Tzaddik, He will remember them as well.

151

בִּיאַת הַמָּשִׁיחַ תָּלוּי בְּקִרְבַת הַצַּדִּיק.

151

151. The coming of the Messiah depends on drawing close to the Tzaddik.

152

עִקַּר שְׁלֵמוּת הַנֶּפֶשׁ תָּלוּי בְּקִרְבַת הַצַּדִּיקִים.

152

152. The primary fulfillment of the soul comes through drawing close to the tzaddikim.

153

מִי שֶׁמְּקָרֵב אֶת עַצְמוֹ לַצַּדִּיק וְקִרְבָתוֹ אֵינוֹ בִּתְמִימוּת, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִתְהַפֵּךְ אַחַר־כָּךְ לְרוֹדֵף.

153

153. Someone who draws close to the Tzaddik, but his drawing close is not with sincerity (innocence), through this he is turned around afterwards to be an opposer.

154

הַשַּׁקְּרָן – בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁבָּא לִרְאוֹת אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, לִבּוֹ חוֹשֵׁב אֵיךְ יְדַבֵּר אַחַר־כָּךְ.

154

154. A liar – when he comes to see the Tzaddik - his heart contemplates how he will speak afterwards.

155

הַדִּבּוּרִים שֶׁדּוֹבְרִים עַל הַצַּדִּיק, לְסוֹף שֶׁדִּבְרֵיהֶם נֶהְפַּךְ עֲלֵיהֶם, וְנוֹפְלִים לְמִשְׁכָּב.

155

155. The words that people speak against the Tzaddik, in the end their words are turned around against them, and they fall bedridden.

156

מִי שֶׁמַּכְנִיעַ אֶת עַצְמוֹ בִּפְנֵי הַצַּדִּיק, בָּזֶה מְעוֹרֵר אַהֲבָה אֵצֶל הַצַּדִּיק.

156

156. One who submits himself before the Tzaddik, with this he arouses the love of the Tzaddik.

157

עַל־יְדֵי סִפּוּרֵי מַעֲשִׂיּוֹת מִצַּדִּיקִים, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה זוֹכִין לְהִתְקָרֵב אֲלֵיהֶם.

157

157. Through the stories of the tzaddikim, through this one merits to draw close to them.

158

לְפִי רוּחַ־הַקֹּדֶשׁ שֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא נוֹתֵן לַצַּדִּיק, כֵּן הָעֲשִׁירִים סוֹמְכִין אוֹתוֹ, וּלְפִי סְמִיכָתָם אוֹתוֹ, כֵּן יָכוֹל לְהַחֲזִיר אֶת הָרְשָׁעִים בִּתְשׁוּבָה.

158

158. According to the Divine Inspiration the Holy One Blessed He grants to a Tzaddik, so the wealthy people support him. According to the support they give him, so he can bring the evildoers back in repentance.

159

הַיִּסּוּרִין שֶׁבָּאִין עַל הַצַּדִּיקִים, בִּשְׁבִיל כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יְהַרְהֲרוּ הָרְשָׁעִים לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא עַל הַטּוֹב, שֶׁיִּתֵּן הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא לַצַּדִּיקִים.

159

159. The suffering that comes upon the tzaddikim, is so that in the World to Come, the wicked will not question (in their minds) the good that the Holy One Blessed He will be giving the tzaddikim.

160

כְּשֶׁהַיְרֵאִים הֵם בְּהִתְחַבְּרוּת עִם הַצַּדִּיק, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה גּוֹרְמִים זִוּוּג בֵּין קֻדְשָׁא בְּרִיךְ הוּא וּשְׁכִינְתֵּהּ פָּנִים בְּפָנִים, וְאֵין יְרִידָה אַחֲרָיו.

160

160. When the G-d fearing are connected to the Tzaddik, through this they cause a union between the Holy One, Blessed be He, and the Divine Presence, face to face, and there is no regression from this afterwards.

161

עַל־יְדֵי שֶׁבַח שֶׁמְּשַׁבְּחִין אֶת הַצַּדִּיקִים, מַפִּילִין אֶת הָרְשָׁעִים נְפִילָה גְּדוֹלָה.

161

161. Through the praises that one extolls the tzaddikim, the wicked are pushed down to a great fall.

162

הַצַּדִּיק נִסְתַּלֵּק בַּעֲווֹן כִּשּׁוּף וְנִאוּף.

162

162. The Tzaddik passes away due to the sins of witchcraft and promiscuity.

163

הַנּוֹאֲפִים, לָרֹב הֵם מִתְנַגְּדִים עַל הַצַּדִּיקִים.

163

163. The promiscuous are for the most part opposers of the tzaddikim.

164

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק נִסְתַּלֵּק, נִשְׁאָר הָעוֹלָם כִּטְמֵאִים, וְצִדְקַת הָעוֹלָם נִמְאָס בְּעֵינֵי הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא.

164

164. When the Tzaddik passes away, the world (the people) remain as though impure, and the righteousness of the world is disgusting in the eyes of the Holy One Blessed He.

165

עַל־יְדֵי הַגְדָּלַת הָעוֹלָם עַל הַצַּדִּיק נִתְעוֹרֵר, חַס וְשָׁלוֹם, חֲרוֹן־אַף, גַם שְׂרֵפָה נִתְעוֹרֵר.

165

165. Through the haughtiness people hold above the Tzaddik, there is aroused, G-d forbid, Divine wrath. Also fires (lit. burning) are aroused.

166

טִלְטוּל הַצַּדִּיקִים לִפְעָמִים הוּא בִּשְׁבִיל לְגַלּוֹת אֵיזֶה צַדִּיק נִסְתָּר.

166

166. The wandering about of the tzaddikim is sometimes in order to reveal some hidden Tzaddik.

167

לִפְעָמִים יִסּוּרִין בָּאִים עַל הַצַּדִּיק, כְּדֵי לְמַעֵט בְּצָרוֹת יִשְׂרָאֵל.

167

167. Sometimes suffering comes upon the Tzaddik, in order to decrease the hardships of Israel.

168

מִלּוּי כְּרֵסָם שֶׁל הֲמוֹן־עַם גּוֹרֵם לַאֲבֵדַת הַצַּדִּיק.

168

168. The gluttonous eating of the masses causes the loss of the Tzaddik.

169

יִסּוּרִים שֶׁבָּאִים עַל הַצַּדִּיקִים הוּא כַּפָּרָה עַל כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל.

169

169. The sufferings that come upon the tzaddikim are an atonement for all of the Jewish People.

170

מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה לְקַבֵּל עַל עַצְמוֹ עֹל שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק, הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא כּוֹעֵס עָלָיו וּמְבַעֲתֵהוּ.

170

170. One who does not want to accept upon himself the yoke of the Tzaddik, the Holy One Blessed He is angry at him and kicks him.

171

מִי שֶׁמֵּבִיא דּוֹרוֹן לַצַּדִּיק, הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ נַחַת־רוּחַ.

171

171. One who brings a gift to the Tzaddik, the Holy One Blessed He gives him satisfaction.

172

עַל־יְדֵי דּוֹרוֹן שֶׁמְּבִיאִין לַצַּדִּיקִים, מַכְנִיעִין אֶת הַשּׂוֹנְאִים וּמְבַטְּלִין אֶת הָרוּחַ רָעָה, שֶׁשּׁוֹרָה עַל הָאָדָם.

172

172. Through the gifts that people bring to tzaddikim, the enemies are subdued, and there is annulment of the evil spirit that sets upon a person.

173

עַל־יְדֵי הִשְׁתַּטְּחוּת עַל קִבְרֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ טוֹבוֹת, אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאֵינוֹ רָאוּי לְכָךְ.

173

173. Through prostrating oneself on the tombs of tzaddikim, the Holy One Blessed He does favors for him, even if he is not worthy of such.

174

מִי שֶׁמְּסַפֵּר מַעֲשִׂיּוֹת מִצַּדִּיקִים, הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־ הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ חֶסֶד.

174

174. Someone who recounts stories of the tzaddikim, the Holy One Blessed He does him kindness.

175

מַה שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק מַנְהִיג אֶת הָעוֹלָם, הוּא מֵחֲמַת יִרְאָה שֶׁבְּתוֹכוֹ.

175

175. That which the Tzaddik rules over the world (-people) is due to the fear of G-d within him.

176

כְּשֶׁאָדָם נִתְבָּרֵךְ מִן הַצַּדִּיק, צָרִיךְ לַעֲמֹד עַל רַגְלָיו.

176

176. When a man is being blessed by the Tzaddik, he should stand on his feet.

177

הַמֶּלֶךְ גּוֹבֶה יְצִיאוֹתָיו מִן הָעָם.

177

177. A king is permitted to collect his expenses from the people.

178

עַל־יְדֵי כָּבוֹד שֶׁמְּכַבְּדִין אֶת בְּנֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים, נִתְעוֹרֵר רָצוֹן אֵצֶל הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ שֶׁיָּבוֹא מָשִׁיחַ.

178

178. Through the honor people extend to the children of the tzaddikim, the desire is aroused in the blessed G-d for the arrival of the Messiah.

179

עַל־יְדֵי הַהֲלִיכָה שֶׁהוֹלְכִים לַצַּדִּיק, מַכְנִיעִים אֶת הַשּׂוֹנְאִים.

179

179. Through the (act of) going – that people go to the Tzaddik, they subdue the wicked.

180

מִי שֶׁעוֹבֵר עַל הַצִּוּוּי שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק, הוּא נוֹפֵל מֵחֲשִׁיבוּתוֹ.

180

180. One who transgresses the command of the Tzaddik, he falls from his importance.

181

מִי שֶׁמְּהַנֵּהוּ מִנְּכָסָיו, כְּאִלּוּ מְהַנֶּה כָּל יִשְׂרָאֵל וְנִצּוֹל מִמִּיתָה.

181

181. One who gives the Tzaddik enjoyment (benefit) from his property, is as if he benefited all of Israel, and he is saved from death.

182

מִי שֶׁמְּסָרֵב עַל דִּבְרֵי צַדִּיק, כְּאִלּוּ שָׁאַל בַּקּוֹסְמִים.

182

182. One who disobeys (by refusal to perform) the words of the Tzaddik, is as if he engaged in the asking of diviners.

183

עַל־יְדֵי הַחָכְמָה ה' עִמּוֹ, גַּם אֵימָתוֹ מֻטֶּלֶת עַל הַבְּרִיּוֹת.

183

183. Through wisdom, G-d is with one, and also the fear of him is cast upon the people.

184

מִי שֶׁסּוֹמֵךְ אֶת הַצַּדִּיק בְּכָל מִינֵי סְמִיכוּת, הוּא סָמוּךְ וְקָרוֹב לוֹ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא.

184

184. One who supports the Tzaddik with all types of support, he is close and near to him in the World to Come.

185

מִי שֶׁמִּתְגָּרֶה בַּצַּדִּיק, לְסוֹף הוּא נִתְפָּס בִּמְצוּדָה רָעָה.

185

185. One who starts up with the Tzaddik, in the end he is caught in a bad trap.

186

מִי שֶׁמְּסַפֵּר מַעֲשִׂיּוֹת מִצַּדִּיקִים, מַזְכִּירִין לוֹ צִדְקוֹתָיו.

186

186. One who recounts the stories of tzaddikim, his righteousness is recalled.

187

הַצַּדִּיק יָכוֹל לִתֵּן דָּבָר, שֶּׁלֹּא בָּא לָעוֹלָם.

187

187. The Tzaddik can give something that has not yet come into the world.

188

הַצַּדִּיק, כָּל מָקוֹם אֲשֶׁר יִדְרֹךְ כַּף רַגְלָיו הוּא קוֹנֶה.

188

188. The Tzaddik – everywhere his feet tread, he acquires.

189

מִי שֶׁנּוֹתֵן עֵצָה לְצַדִּיקִים בְּעֵת הִתְנַגְּדוּת, מַעֲשֵׂה יָדָיו קַיָּמִים; וְאֵין מְבַטֵּל אוֹתָם.

189

189. Someone who gives advice to tzaddikim at a time when they are facing opposition, the work of his hands endures, and will not be annulled.

190

בְּשָׁעָה שֶׁמִּסְתַּכֵּל עַל הַצַּדִּיק, יִסְתַּכֵּל בְּאֵימָה, כְּדֵי שֶׁלֹּא יַעַנְשׁוּ אוֹתוֹ מִן הַשָּׁמַיִם.

190

190. At the time when one looks upon the Tzaddik, he should look with dread, so that he will not be punished by Heaven.

191

עַל־יְדֵי יִרְאַת־שָׁמַיִם נִשְׁתּוֹקֵק הָאָדָם לְקָרֵב אֶת עַצְמוֹ לַצַּדִּיק.

191

191. Through fear of Heaven, a persons gains a longing to draw himself close to the Tzaddik.

192

עַל־יְדֵי יְשִׁיבָה אֵצֶל שֻׁלְחָן הַצַּדִּיק נִתְבַּטֵּל הַמִּלְחָמָה.

192

192. Through sitting at the table of the Tzaddik, war is annulled.

193

מִי שֶׁהוּא זַיְּפָן, לְסוֹף שֶׁיִתְחַבֵּר עִם הַמִּתְנַגְּדִים, שֶׁחוֹלְקִים עַל הַצַּדִּיק.

193

193. One who is a forger, in the end he will join the opposers who stand against the Tzaddik.

194

לִפְעָמִים הַצָּרַעַת פּוֹרֵחַ לַצַּדִּיק, כִּי מִקָּרוֹב קֵרֵב אֵיזֶה אָדָם בִּתְשׁוּבָה.

194

194. Sometimes the plague of leprosy breaks out upon the Tzaddik, because he had recently brought someone back in repentance.

195

מִי שֶׁאוֹמֵר עַל הַצַּדִּיק שֶׁהוּא רָשָׁע וְעַל הָרָשָׁע שֶׁהוּא צַדִּיק, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה יִפֹּל לְחֻלְשָׁה, גַּם עַל־יְדֵי זֶה חַמָּה וּלְבָנָה נִלְקִין.

195

195. Someone who says of a Tzaddik that he is wicked, and of a wicked one that he is a Tzaddik, through this he falls into a state of weakness, also the sun and moon are eclipsed.

196

הִתְקַשְּׁרוּת לַצַּדִּיק הוּא רְפוּאָה גְּדוֹלָה.

196

196. Connection to the Tzaddik is a great healing.

197

קָשֶׁה לָאָדָם לְהַשִּׂיג אֵיזֶה תְּשׁוּעָה, כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ צַדִּיק בָּעִיר, וְאֵינוֹ מְבַקֵּשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ, שֶׁיִּתְפַּלֵּל עָלָיו.

197

197. It is hard for a man to receive a salvation, when there is a Tzaddik in the city, and he (the man) does not ask the Tzaddik to pray for him.

198

לִפְעָמִים יֵשׁ אֶחָד שֶׁמְּקֹרָב בְּהִתְקָרְבוּת גָּדוֹל לַצַּדִּיק, וְאֵינוֹ מַרְגִּישׁ בְּעַצְמוֹ שׁוּם יִרְאַת־שָׁמַיִם; יֵדַע כִּי אִם לֹא הָיָה מְקֹרָב, לֹא הָיָה רָאוּי לִחְיוֹת כְּלָל.

198

198. Sometimes a person comes very close to the Tzaddik, and yet does not feel within himself any fear of Heaven. He should know that if he had not come close, he would not be worthy of living at all.

199

לִפְעָמִים הַצַּדִּיק מִתְבַּיֵּשׁ לְבַקֵּשׁ מֵהַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־ הוּא עַל צַעֲרוֹ. מָה עוֹשֶׂה הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא, מֵבִיא צַעַר כָּזֶה עַל רָשָׁע, כְּדֵי שֶׁכְּשֶׁהָרָשָׁע בָּא וּמְבַקֵּשׁ מִמֶּנּוּ, שֶׁיִּתְפַּלֵּל עָלָיו, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִצּוֹל גַּם הַצַּדִּיק מִצַּעֲרוֹ.

199

199. Sometimes a Tzaddik is ashamed to pray to the Holy One Blessed He about his personal suffering. What does the Holy One Blessed He do? He brings similar suffering upon an evildoer, so that when the evildoer comes and asks from him (the tzaddik) to pray for him, and through this, the Tzaddik is also saved from his suffering.

200

מִי שֶׁחוֹלֵק עַל הַצַּדִּיק בְּפָנָיו, בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁאֵין בּוֹ יִרְאַת־שָׁמַיִם.

200

200. One who disputes the Tzaddik in front of him, it is certain that he does not have fear of Heaven.

201

לִפְעָמִים הַמַּחֲלֹקֶת עַל הַצַּדִּיק הִיא הוֹכָחָה גְּדוֹלָה שֶׁהוּא צַדִּיק.

201

201. Sometimes the controversy surrounding a Tzaddik is a great proof that he is a Tzaddik.

202

יֵשׁ רָשָׁע שֶׁמַּצְלִיחַ, וּכְשֶׁרוֹדֵף אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, אֲזַי הַקְּלִיפּוֹת בְּעַצְמָם נוֹקְמִים מִמֶּנּוּ.

202

202. There is an evildoer who is successful. But when he pursues (attacks) the Tzaddik, the Klipos (husks - impure forces) themselves take revenge on him.

203

הַחִלּוּק שֶׁבֵּין צַדִּיק לִירֵא־שָׁמַיִם, שֶׁהַיָּרֵא אֵין לוֹ רְשׁוּת לְגַלּוֹת מִסְתּוֹרָיו שֶׁל הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא, אֲבָל הַצַּדִּיק יֵשׁ לוֹ רְשׁוּת.

203

203. The difference between a Tzaddik and one who has fear of Heaven, is that the one with fear does not have permission to reveal the mysteries of the Holy One Blessed He, whereas the Tzaddik has permission.

204

מִי שֶׁדּוֹבֵר עַל הַצַּדִּיק, בְּיָדוּעַ שֶׁהוּא גַּדְלָן.

204

204. One who slanders the Tzaddik, it is certain that he is arrogant.

205

כְּשֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא רוֹצֶה, שֶׁהַצַּדִּיק יְלַמֵּד דֶּרֶךְ אֶת הָעָם, מְרַמֵּז לוֹ בְּפַרְנָסָתוֹ.

205

205. When the Holy One Blessed He wants the Tzaddik to teach the people the Way of G-d, He hints this to him through his livelihood.

206

הַצַּדִּיק כְּשֶׁמִּתְפַּלֵּל עַל הָאָדָם, הוּא מֵבִין, עַל אֵיזֶה עֲבֵרָה בָּא עָלָיו הַפֻּרְעָנוּת הַזֹּאת.

206

206. The Tzaddik – when he prays on behalf of someone, he can discern from which sin this suffering came upon the person.

207

מִי שֶׁשּׁוֹמֵר אֶת בְּרִיתוֹ, בְּוַדַּאי מְחַבֵּב אֶת הַצַּדִּיק.

207

207. Someone who guards his covenant (circumcision) will certainly have love for the Tzaddik.

208

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק עוֹבֵד אֶת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ וְאֵינוֹ מַשְׁגִּיחַ עַל הֲמוֹן־עַם, לְלַמֵּד אוֹתָם, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה נוֹפֵל מִמַּדְרֵגָתוֹ.

208

208. When the Tzaddik serves the blessed G-d, without supervising the masses to teach them, through this he falls from his level.

209

עַל־יְדֵי הַפַּרְנָסָה שֶׁמְּפַרְנְסִין אֶת הַצַּדִּיק, נִמְחָל לָהֶם כָּל עֲוֹונוֹתֵיהֶם, כְּמוֹ הַכֹּהֲנִים אוֹכְלִים, וּבְעָלִים מִתְכַּפְּרִים.

209

209. Through the income people provide for the livelihood of the Tzaddik, all their sins are forgiven. Just as (we find in the Torah) the Cohanim (priests) eat (of the sacrifices) and (by this) the owners (those that brought the sacrifices) are atoned.

II-1

עַל־יְדֵי סִפּוּרֵי מַעֲשִׂיּוֹת שֶׁל צַדִּיקִים מַמְשִׁיכִין אוֹר שֶׁל מָשִׁיחַ בָּעוֹלָם, וְדוֹחֶה הַרְבֵּה חֹשֶׁךְ וְצָרוֹת מִן הָעוֹלָם.

II-1

1. By telling over stories of tzaddikim, one draws the light of Messiah into the world, and pushes out much darkness and hardship from the world.

II-2

גַּם זוֹכֶה לִבְגָדִים נָאִים.

II-2

2. Also, one merits to nice clothing.

II-3

בְּשִׁבְעַת יְמֵי אֲבֵלוּת שֶׁל הַצַּדִּיק, הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא מַשְׁפִּיעַ עַל הַמִּתְאַבְּלִים עָלָיו מֵאוֹר הַגָּנוּז מִשֵּׁשֶׁת יְמֵי־בְרֵאשִׁית.

II-3

3. In the seven days of mourning over the Tzaddik, the Holy One Blessed He dispenses on the mourners from the hidden light of the Six Days of Creation.

II-4

אַל תִּתְמַהּ עַל הַחֵפֶץ, שֶׁהָאָדָם הוּא בְּרִיָה קְטַנָּה וּבוֹ תָּלוּי כָּל הָעוֹלָמוֹת, כִּי כֵן בְּכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁהַשְּׁכִינָה שְׁרוּיָה; מוּעָט מַחֲזִיק אֶת הַמְרֻבֶּה.

II-4

4. Do not be puzzled on the scheme, that man is a small creature and all the worlds are contingent on him. For such is the way with every place wherein the Divine Presence pervades; the little holds the large.

II-5

כָּל אָדָם מְצֻיָּר בְּזִיו פָּנָיו גַּן־עֵדֶן שֶׁלּוֹ.

II-5

5. Every man has drawn in his visage his (portion in) Gan Eden (Heaven).

II-6

עַל־פִּי רֹב, הַיְּרֵאִים – פַּרְנָסָתָם בָּא עַל־יְדֵי טִלְטוּלִים.

II-6

6. For the most part, the G-d fearing – their livelihood comes through moving about.

II-7

לִפְעָמִים הַצַּדִּיק בָּא לְטִלְטוּלִים, כְּדֵי שֶׁכְּשֶׁיָּבוֹא לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא, יִזְכֹּר כָּל הַמְּקוֹמוֹת, שֶׁהָיָה בָּהֶם, וְעַל־יְדֵי זֶה יָבוֹאוּ טוֹבוֹת לְאֵלּוּ הַמְּקוֹמוֹת.

II-7

7. Sometimes the Tzaddik comes to moving from place to place, so that when he comes to the World to Come, he will remember all the places he had been, and through this good will come to all those places.

II-8

מִי שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ שֵׁמוֹת שֶׁל בְּנֵי הַצַּדִּיקִים שֶׁבַּדּוֹר, הוּא יוֹדֵעַ כָּל הַמְּאֹרָעוֹת שֶׁיִּהְיֶה.

II-8

8. Someone who knows the names of the children of the tzaddikim of the generation, he knows all the events that are yet to come.

II-9

מִי שֶׁמַּצְדִּיק אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת, כָּל חֲפָצָיו נַעֲשִׂים בְּלִי שׁוּם מוֹנֵעַ.

II-9

9. Someone who justifies the people, all his interests are fulfilled without hindrance.

II-10

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק נֶחֱלָשׁ כֹּחוֹ, שֶׁאֵין יָכוֹל לַעֲשׂוֹת רְצוֹן קוֹנוֹ כְּמִקֹּדֶם, יֵדַע שֶׁאֵין הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא רוֹצֶה עוֹד, שֶׁיּוֹרֶה דֶּרֶךְ תְּשׁוּבָה לָרְשָׁעִים.

II-10

10. When a Tzaddik's strength is weakened, so that he cannot do the will of his Creator as before, he should know that the Holy One Blessed He no longer desires that he instruct the way of repentance to the wicked.

II-11

עִקַּר כֹּחַ הַצַּדִּיקִים הוּא כְּשֶׁהַדִּין נִמְתָּק, הַיְנוּ עַל־יְדֵי אַחְדוּת הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ.

II-11

11. The main strength of the tzaddikim comes when the judgment is sweetened, that is, through the unification of the blessed name of G-d.

II-12

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיקִים נִתְפַּרְסְמִים בָּעוֹלָם, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִתְחַדְּשִׁים נִגּוּנִים בָּעוֹלָם.

II-12

12. When the tzaddikim become famous in the world, through this there are new melodies in the world.

II-13

מִי שֶׁמּוֹסֵר נַפְשׁוֹ בִּשְׁבִיל יִשְׂרָאֵל, דִּינָיו אֵינָם בְּטֵלִים וְכַאֲשֶׁר יִגְזֹר כֵּן יָקוּם.

II-13

13. One who has self-sacrifice for the sake of the Jews (lit. Israel), the judgments he passes are not annulled, and what he decrees will be fulfilled.

II-14

עַל־יְדֵי שִׁמּוּשׁ הַצַּדִּיק בָּא חֵרוּת וְנִתְבַּטֵּל הַקְּלָלוֹת.

II-14

14. Through serving the Tzaddik comes freedom, and the curses are annulled.

II-15

אֵלּוּ הַמְקֹרָבִים לְיִרְאֵי־הַשֵּׁם, גַּם הֵם זוֹכִים לְיִרְאָה וּלְדַעַת.

II-15

15. Those who are close to G-d fearing people, they also merit fear and cognizance.

II-16

כְּשֶׁהַצַּדִּיק נִתְעַשֵּׁר, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה הָרְשָׁעִים חוֹזְרִים בִּתְשׁוּבָה.

II-16

16. When a Tzaddik becomes wealthy, through this the wicked return in repentance.

II-17

כְּשֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא רוֹאֶה אֵיזֶה צַדִּיק, שֶׁיֵּשׁ כֹּחַ בְּיָדוֹ לְקָרֵב בְּנֵי־אָדָם לַעֲבוֹדָתוֹ אֲזַי מַעֲמִיד עָלָיו שׂוֹנְאִים, כְּדֵי שֶׁיּוּכַל לְקָרֵב אֶת בְּנֵי־אָדָם, כִּי הַצַּדִּיק שֶׁאֵין לוֹ שׂוֹנְאִים, אֵין יָכוֹל לְקָרֵב, כְּמוֹ בְעֵת בִּיאַת הַמָּשִׁיחַ יֵשְׁבוּ בְּשָׁלוֹם, וְאָז אֵין מְקַבְּלִין גֵּרִים.

II-17

17. When the Holy One Blessed He sees that a certain Tzaddik has the power to draw people to His service, He stands up on him enemies, in order that he will be able to draw the people (to G-d). Because a Tzaddik who does not have enemies, he cannot draw (people to G-d). This is comparable to the time of the arrival of the Messiah, they will reside in peace, and then converts will not be accepted.

II-18

יֵשׁ שְׁנֵי צַדִּיקִים, שֶׁאֶחָד דִּבּוּרָיו הֵם כַּחֲרִישָׁה, וְהַשֵּׁנִי דְּבָרָיו כִּקְצִירָה, אוֹ אֶחָד דְּבָרָיו הֲקָמַת הַבְּרִית לְזִוּוּג, וְהַשֵּׁנִי דְּבָרָיו הֵם הַמַּמְשִׁיכִין אֶת הַזֶּרַע וּמְהַוִּים אֶת הַוָּלָד בְּבֶטֶן אִמּוֹ וּמְגַדְּלִין אוֹתוֹ. בְּכֵן כְּשֶׁיֵּשׁ מַחֲלֹקֶת בֵּין שְׁנֵי צַדִּיקִים הָאֵלּוּ אַל יִתְעָרֵב זָר בְּתוֹךְ דִּבּוּרָם, שֶׁמְּדַבְּרִים זֶה עַל זֶה כְּדֵי שֶּׁלֹּא יְקַלְקֵל הַמְכֻוָּן.

II-18

18. There are two Tzaddikim, that one, his words are like plowing, and the second, his words are like harvesting. Or one, his words are like the erection of the covenant (circumcision) for conjugation, and the second, his words are what draws the seed to impregnation and form the fetus in its mother's womb and develop it. Thus, when there is an argument between these two Tzaddikim, an outsider should not interfere in their words which they say against each other, so that he does not ruin the intended aim.

II-19

כְּשֶׁהוֹלְכִין עַל קִבְרֵי צַדִּיקִים, צָרִיךְ לָזֶה זְכוּת שֶׁיּוּכַל לֶאֱסֹף רוּחוֹ וְנִשְׁמָתוֹ לַקֶּבֶר שֶׁיִּהְיֶה כְּאִלּוּ הוּא חַי, כִּי אִם אֵין זְכוּת, אֲזַי רוּחוֹ וְנִשְׁמָתוֹ עוֹלִין לְמַעְלָה לְתוֹךְ שְׁאָר הַצַּדִּיקִים.

II-19

19. When one goes to the tombs of the Tzaddikim, one needs merit to be able to draw his (the Tzaddik's) spirit and soul, to the tomb, (so it will be) as if he is alive. For if there isn't merit, then his (the Tzaddik's) spirit and soul ascend to Heaven, to the midst of the other Tzaddikim.

II-20

עַל־יְדֵי הַזְכָּרַת שְׁמוֹת הַצַּדִּיקִים יְכוֹלִין לְהָבִיא שִׁנּוּי בְּמַעֲשֵׂה בְרֵאשִׁית, כְּלוֹמַר לְשַׁנּוֹת הַטֶּבַע. וְסִימָן לַדָּבָר: "אֵלֶּה תוֹלְדוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ" וְכוּ' "וְאֵלֶּה שְׁמוֹת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל" וְכוּ' – גְּזֵרָה־שָׁוָה.

II-20

20. Through mentioning the names of the Tzaddikim, one can bring changes in the Creation, that is to say, to change nature (do the supernatural). An indication for this matter is: "These are the offspring (chronicles) of the Heaven and the Earth (Bereshit 1:1)", and "These are the names of the children of Israel (Shemot 1:1)" – syllogism [- gezaira shuvva - the usage of the words "These are" in both passages is the basis to apply what is found by one of them to the other].

II-21

מִי שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ מֵאֶרֶץ־יִשְׂרָאֵל, שֶׁטָּעַם בֶּאֱמֶת טַעַם אֶרֶץ־יִשְׂרָאֵל, הוּא יָכוֹל לְהַכִּיר בְּאַחֵר, אִם הָיָה אֵצֶל צַדִּיק עַל רֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה אִם לָאו, כִּי מִי שֶׁזּוֹכֶה לִהְיוֹת אֵצֶל צַדִּיק אֲמִתִּי עַל רֹאשׁ־הַשָּׁנָה, אֲזַי בְּכָל מָקוֹם שֶׁהָאִישׁ הַזֶּה מִסְתַּכֵּל, נַעֲשָׂה אוֹתוֹ הָאֲוִיר בְּחִינַת אֲוִירָא דְּאֶרֶץ־יִשְׂרָאֵל, וְעַל־כֵּן מִי שֶׁיּוֹדֵעַ מִטַּעַם אֶרֶץ־יִשְׂרָאֵל כָּל אֶחָד לְפִי עֶרְכּוֹ, הוּא מְחֻיָּב לְהַרְגִּישׁ אֶרֶץ־יִשְׂרָאֵל כְּשֶׁפּוֹגֵעַ וּמִתְוַעֵד יַחַד עִם זֶה הָאִיש, שֶׁהָיָה אֵצֶל הַצַּדִּיק אֲמִתִּי עַל רֹאשׁ־הַשָּׁנָה, כִּי עַל־יָדוֹ נַעֲשָׂה הָאֲוִיר בִּבְחִינַת אֶרֶץ־יִשְׂרָאֵל כַּנַּ"ל.

II-21

21. One who knows from the Land of Israel, who has truly tasted the taste of the Land of Israel, he can recognize in another if he had been by a Tzaddik on Rosh HaShana (the Jewish New Years) or not. Because one who merits to be by a true Tzaddik on Rosh HaShana, then in every place where this person looks, the air of that place becomes the aspect of the air of the Land of Israel. Therefore, one who knows from the taste of the Land of Israel, each according to his level, it is imperative for him to sense the Land of Israel, when he meets and gets together with this man who had been by the true Tzaddik on Rosh HaShana. For at his hand the air becomes of the aspect of the Land of Israel, as explained above.

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