אות - רע

He said: Is it not the way of a shopkeeper to give on credit — that payment should be made after some time? And why should a person not say some chapters of Psalms, or study, or perform other mitzvos — and have them stored and ready with him for a time of need? For there will come a time when he will need them — when he will collect his wages and reward. Should not one be [in the version: why should one not be] like the shopkeeper who gives merchandise on credit? And so on! And I did not hear this discourse myself from his holy mouth, only from another person. And it appears there was a fine discourse here and I did not merit to hear it.