- The difference between the early ones and us The difference between us and our predecessors regarding separation is as follows. For the early ones such as Chanoch, Noach, Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Iyov and his company, their intellect was pure and their evil inclination was weak. So their souls were drawn after their intellect. The few mitzvot they had combined with their heartfelt faith in G-d were sufficient for them to complete their service of G-d, as written by Avraham "You found his heart faithful before You" (Nehemiah 9:8). They did not need the abstinence which goes out of the middle way which the torah prescribes.
But when their descendants descended to Egypt, and dwelled there 70 years in peace during Yosef's lifetime, their lust became strong, their desires grew, and their evil inclination overpowered their reason. They then needed an abstinence which would be counter to their lusts and which would allow them to resist their evil inclination. The Creator added on them additional commandments, which reason does not obligate. This would serve as a substitute for the abstinence which was proper for them, according to their ability, and even less than that.
When they conquered the land of Israel and settled it, and enjoyed its good, they started to seek superfluities in food and drink, indulgence with women, and in erecting buildings. The more the land was developed, the more their intellect deteriorated, as written: "Lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses, and dwelled therein...[then your heart be lifted up, and you forget G-d..]" (Devarim 8:12). And the more the lusts increased and strengthened, the more the intellect weakened, and delayed grasping the correct way.
Therefore, they were in need for severe abstinence, through which they would be able to resist their lusts, as in the way of the Nazir, and the disciples of the prophets, which we mentioned previously in this book.
In later generations, the intellect has become weaker still while the lusts have strengthened more. Whenever people are occupied in secular matters, they are distracted from being concerned with matters of the next world. Therefore they need separation from this world, to free themselves from it, whenever they are doing anything of the next world.
The early ones, with their strong intellect and pure souls were capable of working for this world and also for the final one. Neither one would be detrimental to the other, as written: "did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness, and then it was well with him?" (Yirmiya 22:15), and it says: "it is good that you should take hold of this, and also from this you shall not withdraw your hand" (Koheles 7:18).
I saw, my brother, a powerful parable on the matter of separation from one of the pious, who commanded his son in it as his last testament. It pleased my eye, and I placed it as the final words for this gate as I found it, instead of ending with my own rebuke and teaching. Understand it and examine it, you will reach the good and the just with G-d's help.
Now my son, may G-d place you among those that will hear and listen, and that listen and think, and that think and know and do, and not among the people who drown in error, who are drunk with the wine of foolishness, which the evil inclination has enslaved them, and ruled this world over them, and which the lusts have overpowered them, and swayed them towards the pleasures, and enticed them to the desires, and drawn them to coveting. And they, in their darkness are smitten, and swiftly move dazzled in their error, they hear but don't lend ear, they say but don't do. They sought the leasures but fell in the frustrations, endeavored to reach the pleasing, but reached instead the hard suffering, their soul is tired, and their body is weary. Their minds are empty, and their understanding is shattered. They hoard gold to be lost and fleeting silver, which becomes an inheritance to their enemies or to their traitorous wives. They erect mansions and lie down in graves. They build and don't dwell, they amass and don't spend, each man among them buries his father and his son, yet still does not do religious deeds which endure forever. He forgets his end, but remembers his desires, what will you say of a middle piece, which lost both end pieces, and of a child whose parents abandoned him?
Look my son, at whose heart the Creator has broadened, and who G-d has helped him to rule over his thoughts, opened his eyes for what is good for him, showed him the straight path, and drew him close to it. People are assured of him, and he is assured of them, he is at peace with them, and saved from them. People serve their evil inclination, but he serves the G-d of heaven and earth, who grants life, who brings death, the Creator, who is gracious, and there is no god besides Him.
Look at the difference between them and the men with pure interiors (who serve G-d) - their eyes are at rest, their hearts are secure, and in their solitude, they delight in remembering G-d, thank Him for His goodness in all their situations. They quickly grasp all forms of deep wisdom. They ripped off the veil from their eyes which prevents seeing the interior ways. They reached the true tranquility through their toil. Their tranquility led them to delight, their desire does not distract them, nor does their long life make them procrastinate. They are zealous to prepare for the day of death, and from what is after it. They prepare, call to G-d, seek Him, hope to Him, and serve Him, They speak truth, converse righteousness, without fear of the Sultan, and without being ruled by the Satan. They are more precious (to G-d) than any man, and more guarded than any nation. Their splendor and grandeur is greater than all of them, honored in the houses of G-d, and great in the eyes of men. Nothing distracts them away from remembering G-d, and nothing prevents them from thanking Him. Their tongue is habituated in praises and thanksgivings, and their hearts are full of purity and unity.
This world disguised itself but they recognized it, and they tread it and told of it. Its deception was not hidden from their eyes, neither was its fraud concealed. This world adorned itself to them with beautiful garments (enticed them to pursue the enchantments of this world), but they considered it naked and empty. It deprived them (of livelihood), but it was forced. It tried to befriend them (with wealth), but they scolded it. It tried to sway them, but they distanced from it. They gazed at its evil deeds, and understood its disgraceful acts, and it has no dominion over them, and nothing with which to approach them. They are the choicest of G-d. The pure ones, and the treasured of the pious, possessors of discerning eyes, noble desires, favored deeds, who dug after G-d and became rich, did business with Him and profited , purified their hearts and became pure. They equipped themselves with fear of G-d in the path of evil and were saved. They rode the wagon of piety and arrived, met with the eternal joy, and the delight which never erodes, were spared from the assembly of judgment, and were saved from the punishments (of gehinom).
And you, my son, choose the good for your soul, before the regret which will not avail, and the worry which will never end. (end of the letter of the pious man)
אֲבָל הַהֶפְרֵשׁ שֶׁבֵּין קַדְמוֹנֵינוּ וּבֵינֵינוּ בַּפְּרִישׁוּת הוּא שֶׁחֲנוֹךְ וְנֹחַ וְאַבְרָהָם וְיִצְחָק וְיַעֲקֹב וְאִיּוֹב וְרֵעָיו הָיָה שִׂכְלָם זַךְ וְיִצְרָם חַלָּשׁ וְנַפְשׁוֹתָם הָיוּ נִמְשָׁכוֹת אַחַר שִׂכְלָם וְהַמְּעַט מִן הַמִּצְוֹת הָיָה מַסְפִּיק לָהֶם בְּהַשְׁלָמַת עֲבוֹדַת הָאֱלֹהִים עִם אֱמוּנַת לִבָּם לֵאלֹהִים כמ״ש בְּאַבְרָהָם (נחמיה ט) וּמָצָאתָ אֶת לְבָבוֹ נֶאֱמָן לְפָנֶיךָ וְלֹא הָיוּ צְרִיכִים אֶל הַפְּרִישׁוּת הַיּוֹצֵאת מֵהַדֶּרֶךְ הַשָּׁוָה הַתּוֹרִיָּה.
- The difference between the early ones and us
The difference between us and our predecessors regarding separation is as follows. For the early ones such as Chanoch, Noach, Avraham, Yitzchak, Yaakov, Iyov and his company, their intellect was pure and their evil inclination was weak. So their souls were drawn after their intellect. The few mitzvot they had combined with their heartfelt faith in G-d were sufficient for them to complete their service of G-d, as written by Avraham "You found his heart faithful before You" (Nehemiah 9:8). They did not need the abstinence which goes out of the middle way which the torah prescribes.
וְכַאֲשֶׁר יָרְדוּ בְּנֵיהֶם אֶל מִצְרַיִם וְגָרוּ בָּהּ בִּימֵי יוֹסֵף כְּשִׁבְעִים שָׁנָה בְּשָׁלוֹם (ס״א בשלוה) וְחָזְקָה תַּאֲוָתָם וְגָדְלָה תְּשׁוּקָתָם וְגָבַר יִצְרָם עַל שִׂכְלָם נִצְטָרְכוּ מִן הַפְּרִישׁוּת אֶל מָה שֶׁיִּהְיֶה הֶפֶךְ תַּאֲוָתָם וְיַעֲמֹד כְּנֶגֶד יִצְרָם. וְהוֹסִיף לָהֶם הַבּוֹרֵא מִן הַמִּצְוֹת הַשִּׁמְעִיּוֹת מָה שֶׁעָמַד לָהֶם בִּמְקוֹם הַפְּרִישׁוּת הָרְאוּיָה לָהֶם כְּפִי תַּכְלִית יְכָלְתָּם וּפָחוֹת מִמֶּנָּה.
But when their descendants descended to Egypt, and dwelled there 70 years in peace during Yosef's lifetime, their lust became strong, their desires grew, and their evil inclination overpowered their reason. They then needed an abstinence which would be counter to their lusts and which would allow them to resist their evil inclination. The Creator added on them additional commandments, which reason does not obligate. This would serve as a substitute for the abstinence which was proper for them, according to their ability, and even less than that.
וְכַאֲשֶׁר כָּבְשׁוּ אֶרֶץ כְּנַעַן וְנִכְנְסוּ בָּהּ וְהִתְנַעֲמוּ בְּטוּבָהּ בִּקְשׁוּ הַמָּזוֹן וְהַסָּמוּךְ לוֹ מִמּוֹתְרֵי מַאֲכָל וּמִשְׁתֶּה וְהַמִּשְׁגָּל וְהַבִּנְיָן. וְכָל אֲשֶׁר נוֹסְפָה הָאָרֶץ יִשּׁוּב נוֹסָף הַשֵּׂכֶל חֻרְבָּן כמ״ש (דברים ח) פֶּן תֹּאכַל וְשָׂבָעְתָּ וּבָתִּים טוֹבִים תִּבְנֶה וְיָשָׁבְתָּ וְגוֹ׳ וּבְקָרְךָ וְצֹאנְךָ יִרְבְּיֻן וְגוֹ׳ וְרָם לְבָבֶךָ וְגוֹ׳. וְכָל אֲשֶׁר נוֹסְפוּ הַתַּאֲווֹת וְנִתְחַזְּקוּ נֶחֱלַשׁ הַשֵּׂכֶל וְהִתְאַחֵר מֵהַשִּׂיג הָעֵצָה הַנְּכוֹנָה.
When they conquered the land of Israel and settled it, and enjoyed its good, they started to seek superfluities in food and drink, indulgence with women, and in erecting buildings. The more the land was developed, the more their intellect deteriorated, as written: "Lest when you have eaten and are full, and have built goodly houses, and dwelled therein...[then your heart be lifted up, and you forget G-d..]" (Devarim 8:12). And the more the lusts increased and strengthened, the more the intellect weakened, and delayed grasping the correct way.
וְהִצְטָרְכוּ אֶל פְּרִישׁוּת חֲזָקָה יַעַמְדוּ בָּהּ כְּנֶגֶד חוּשֵׁיהֶם כְּדֶרֶךְ הַנָּזִיר וּמִנְהַג בְּנֵי הַנְּבִיאִים אֲשֶׁר זָכַרְנוּ בְּמָה שֶׁעָבַר לָנוּ בַּסֵּפֶר הַזֶּה.
Therefore, they were in need for severe abstinence, through which they would be able to resist their lusts, as in the way of the Nazir, and the disciples of the prophets, which we mentioned previously in this book.
וְכֵן בִּשְׁאָר הַדּוֹרוֹת הַשֵּׂכֶל בְּחֻלְשָׁה וְהַתַּאֲוָה בִּגְבוּרָה. וּבְכָל עֵת שֶׁמִּתְעַסְּקִים בְּעִנְיָן מֵעִנְיְנֵי הָעוֹלָם הִטְרִידָם מֵעִנְיְנֵי העוה״ב,
In later generations, the intellect has become weaker still while the lusts have strengthened more. Whenever people are occupied in secular matters, they are distracted from being concerned with matters of the next world. Therefore they need separation from this world, to free themselves from it, whenever they are doing anything of the next world.
עַל כֵּן הֻצְרְכוּ [לַפְּרִישׁוּת מִן הָעוֹלָם הַזֶּה] לְהִפָּנוֹת מִמֶּנּוּ בְּעֵת שֶׁעוֹשִׂים מְאוּמָה מִמַּעֲשֵׂי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא וְהָיוּ הַקַּדְמוֹנִים בְּחֹזֶק שִׂכְלָם וְזֹךְ נַפְשָׁם עוֹשִׂים לְעוֹלָמָם וּלְאַחֲרִיתָם וְלֹא הָיָה הָאֶחָד מַפְסִיד עַל חֲבֵרוֹ כְּמוֹ שֶׁכָּתוּב (ירמיהו כ״ב:ט״ו) אָבִיךָ הֲלֹא אָכַל וְשָׁתָה וְגוֹ׳ אָז טוֹב לוֹ וְגוֹ׳ וְאָמַר (קהלת ז׳:י״ח) טוֹב אֲשֶׁר תֶּאֱחֹז בָּזֶה וְגַם מִזֶּה אַל תַּנַּח אֶת יָדֶךָ.
The early ones, with their strong intellect and pure souls were capable of working for this world and also for the final one. Neither one would be detrimental to the other, as written: "did not your father eat and drink, and do justice and righteousness, and then it was well with him?" (Yirmiya 22:15), and it says: "it is good that you should take hold of this, and also from this you shall not withdraw your hand" (Koheles 7:18).
וְרָאִיתִי אָחִי מְלִיצָה נִמְרֶצֶת בְּעִנְיַן הַפְּרִישׁוּת לְאֶחָד מִן הַחֲסִידִים מְצַוֶּה בָּהּ בְּנוֹ וְיָשְׁרָה בְּעֵינַי וְשַׂמְתִּיהָ חֲתִימָה לַשַּׁעַר הַזֶּה כְּמוֹ שֶׁמְּצָאתִיהָ תַּחַת תּוֹכַחְתִּי לְךָ וְהוֹרוֹתִי אוֹתְךָ, הָבֵן אוֹתָהּ וְהִסְתַּכֵּל בָּהּ תַּגִּיעַ אֶל הַטּוֹב וְהַיָּשָׁר בְּעֶזְרַת הָאֵל.
I saw, my brother, a powerful parable on the matter of separation from one of the pious, who commanded his son in it as his last testament. It pleased my eye, and I placed it as the final words for this gate as I found it, instead of ending with my own rebuke and teaching. Understand it and examine it, you will reach the good and the just with G-d's help.
וְזֹאת הִיא.
Here it is:
וְאַתָּה בְּנִי יְשִׂימְךָ הָאֱלֹהִים מֵאֲשֶׁר יִשְׁמְעוּ וְיַאֲזִינוּ. וְיַאֲזִינוּ וְיַחְשְׁבוּ. וְיַחְשְׁבוּ וְיֵדְעוּ. וְיֵדְעוּ וְיַעֲשׂוּ. וְאַל יְשִׂימְךָ מִן הָאֲנָשִׁים הַטּוֹבְעִים בְּתָעוּת הַשְּׁדוּדִים (ס״א השכורים) בְּיֵין הַסִּכְלוּת אֲשֶׁר הֶעֱבִידָם הַיֵּצֶר וּמָשַׁל בָּם הָעוֹלָם וְגָבְרוּ עֲלֵיהֶם הַתַּאֲווֹת וְנָטוּ בָּהֶם אֶל הַתַּעֲנוּגִים וֶהֱסִיתוּם הַמַּאֲוַיִּים וְהִשִּׁיאָתַם הַחֶמְדָּה וְהֵם בַּאֲפֵלָתָם נֶחְבָּטִים וּבִמְרוּצַת טָעוּתָם שָׁבִים, יִשְׁמְעוּ וְלֹא יַאֲזִינוּ וְיֹאמְרוּ וְלֹא יַעֲשׂוּ, בִּקְשׁוּ הַמְּנוּחוֹת וְנָפְלוּ בַּאֲנָחוֹת, הִשְׁתַּדְּלוּ לְהַשִּׂיג הַנְּעִימוֹת וְהִשִּׂיגוּ הַיִּסּוּרִים הַקָּשִׁים, וְנַפְשׁוֹתָם עֲיֵפוֹת וְגוּפוֹתָם יְגֵעוֹת. דֵּעוֹתָם שְׁלוּלוֹת וּבִינוֹתָם מְנֻפָּצוֹת, יְקַבְּצוּ הַזָּהָב הָאוֹבֵד וְהַכֶּסֶף הַחוֹלֵף וְיוֹרִישׁוּהוּ הָאוֹיְבִים וְהַחוֹדְרוֹת (והבוגדות) מִן הַנָּשִׁים, וּמַחֲזִיקִים הָאַרְמוֹנוֹת וְשׁוֹכְנִים בִּקְבָרוֹת, וּבוֹנִים אֲשֶׁר לֹא יוֹשִׁיבוּ וְיִקְבְּצוּ מָה שֶׁלֹּא יוֹצִיאוּ, קוֹבֵר כָּל אִישׁ מֵהֶם אָבִיו וּבְנוֹ וְאֵינוֹ עוֹשֶׂה מַעֲשֶׂה הַקַּיָּם לָנֶצַח, שׁוֹכֵחַ קִצּוֹ וְזוֹכֵר מַאֲוַיָּיו, וּמָה תֹּאמַר בַּתָּוֶךְ שֶׁאָבְדוּ שְׁתֵּי קְצוֹתָיו וְיָחִיד שֶׁעֲזָבוּהוּ אֲבוֹתָיו.
Now my son, may G-d place you among those that will hear and listen, and that listen and think, and that think and know and do, and not among the people who drown in error, who are drunk with the wine of foolishness, which the evil inclination has enslaved them, and ruled this world over them, and which the lusts have overpowered them, and swayed them towards the pleasures, and enticed them to the desires, and drawn them to coveting. And they, in their darkness are smitten, and swiftly move dazzled in their error, they hear but don't lend ear, they say but don't do. They sought the leasures but fell in the frustrations, endeavored to reach the pleasing, but reached instead the hard suffering, their soul is tired, and their body is weary. Their minds are empty, and their understanding is shattered. They hoard gold to be lost and fleeting silver, which becomes an inheritance to their enemies or to their traitorous wives. They erect mansions and lie down in graves. They build and don't dwell, they amass and don't spend, each man among them buries his father and his son, yet still does not do religious deeds which endure forever. He forgets his end, but remembers his desires, what will you say of a middle piece, which lost both end pieces, and of a child whose parents abandoned him?
וְהִסְתַּכֵּל בְּנִי בְּמִי שֶׁהִרְחִיב הַבּוֹרֵא אֶת לִבּוֹ וְהִמְשִׁילוֹ בְּמַחֲשַׁבְתּוֹ וּפָקַח עֵינָיו בַּטּוֹב לוֹ וְהֶרְאָהוּ הַדֶּרֶךְ הַיְּשָׁרָה וְקָרַב אֵלֶיהָ [וְנוֹכַח בָּהּ] בְּטוּחִים מִמֶּנּוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם וְהוּא בָּטוּחַ בָּהֶם וְהִשְׁלִים עִמָּהֶם וְנִצַּל מֵהֶם עָבְדוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם יִצְרָם וְעָבַד הוּא אֱלֹהֵי הַשָּׁמַיִם וְהָאָרֶץ הַמְּחַיֶּה הַמֵּמִית הַבּוֹרֵא הַחוֹנֵן אֲשֶׁר אֵין אֱלוֹהַּ מִבִּלְעָדָיו.
Look my son, at whose heart the Creator has broadened, and who G-d has helped him to rule over his thoughts, opened his eyes for what is good for him, showed him the straight path, and drew him close to it. People are assured of him, and he is assured of them, he is at peace with them, and saved from them. People serve their evil inclination, but he serves the G-d of heaven and earth, who grants life, who brings death, the Creator, who is gracious, and there is no god besides Him.
כַּמָּה בֵּינָם וּבֵין אֲנָשִׁים בָּרוּ מַצְפּוּנֵיהֶם וְזַכּוּ חֻבֵּיהֶם וְעֵינֵיהֶם נָחוֹת וְלִבּוֹתָם בְּטוּחוֹת וְהֵם בְּזֵכֶר הָאֱלֹהִים מִשְׁתַּעְשְׁעִים בִּבְדִידוּת וּמוֹדִים עַל טוֹבָתוֹ בְּכָל עִנְיָן, קָרְבוּ אֶל הָעִיּוּן הַמַּחְשָׁבִי וְהַמִּנְיָנִי וְהַמּוֹעֲצִי, קָרְעוּ מָסַךְ הָרְאוּת בְּדַרְכֵי הַמַּצְפּוּנִים וְהִגִּיעוּ אֶל מַרְגּוֹעַ הָאֱמֶת בִּיגִיעָה וְיָצְאוּ מִמְּנוּחָה אֶל שַׁעֲשׁוּעִים לֹא טְרָדָם מַאֲוַיָּם וְלֹא אִחֲרָם אֹרֶךְ קִצָּם וְהֵם לְיוֹם הַמָּוֶת נֶחְפָּזִים וּמֵאַחֲרִיתוֹ נִשְׁמָרִים, קְרוּאֵי אֱלֹהִים וּמְשַׁחֲרָיו וּמְיַחֲלָיו וְעוֹבְדָיו, דּוֹבְרֵי אֱמֶת וְלוֹהֲגֵי צֶדֶק, מִבְּלִי מוֹרָא שִׁלְטוֹן וְלֹא מֶמְשֶׁלֶת שָׂטָן, יְקָרִים יוֹתֵר מִכָּל אָדָם וּשְׁמוּרִים יוֹתֵר מִכָּל עַם וְתִפְאַרְתָּם וּמַעֲלָתָם גְּדוֹלָה מִכֻּלָּם. מְכֻבָּדִים בְּבָתֵּי (ס״א בדרכי) הָאֱלֹהִים וּגְדוֹלִים בְּעֵינֵי הַבְּרוּאִים, אֵין טוֹרֵד אוֹתָם מִזֵּכֶר הָאֱלֹהִים טוֹרֵד, וְלֹא מְעַכְּבָם מֵהוֹדוֹתוֹ מְעַכֵּב, לְשׁוֹנוֹתָם רְגִילוֹת בְּהַלֵּל וְהֹדוֹת וְלִבּוֹתָם שְׂמֵחוֹת בְּבֹר וּבְיִחוּד,
Look at the difference between them and the men with pure interiors (who serve G-d) - their eyes are at rest, their hearts are secure, and in their solitude, they delight in remembering G-d, thank Him for His goodness in all their situations. They quickly grasp all forms of deep wisdom. They ripped off the veil from their eyes which prevents seeing the interior ways. They reached the true tranquility through their toil. Their tranquility led them to delight, their desire does not distract them, nor does their long life make them procrastinate. They are zealous to prepare for the day of death, and from what is after it. They prepare, call to G-d, seek Him, hope to Him, and serve Him, They speak truth, converse righteousness, without fear of the Sultan, and without being ruled by the Satan. They are more precious (to G-d) than any man, and more guarded than any nation. Their splendor and grandeur is greater than all of them, honored in the houses of G-d, and great in the eyes of men. Nothing distracts them away from remembering G-d, and nothing prevents them from thanking Him. Their tongue is habituated in praises and thanksgivings, and their hearts are full of purity and unity.
הִתְנַכֵּר לָהֶם הָעוֹלָם וְהִכִּירוּהוּ וְדָרְכוּ בּוֹ וְסִפְּרוּהוּ, לֹא נֶעְלַם מֵעֵינֵיהֶם בִּגְדוֹ וְלֹא נִסְתְּרָה מֵהֶם תַּרְמִיתוֹ, לָבַשׁ לָהֶם בִּגְדֵי חֲמוּדוֹתָיו וַיַּחְשְׁבוּהוּ שׁוֹלָל וְהִתְרַפָּה לָהֶם וַיִּמְצָאֻהוּ מֻכְרָח, שָׁחַק אֲלֵיהֶם וַיִּגְעֲרוּ בּוֹ וְרָצָה לְהַטּוֹתָם וְנָטוּ מֵעָלָיו, הִשְׁקִיפוּ עַל רֹעַ מַעֲלָלָיו וְהִתְבָּאֵר לָהֶם גְּנוּת מַעֲשָׂיו וְאֵין לוֹ שִׁלְטוֹן עֲלֵיהֶם וְלֹא בְּמָה יִתְקָרֵב אֲלֵיהֶם. הֵם בְּחִירֵי הָאֱלֹהִים הַבָּרִים וּסְגֻלַּת הַחֲסִידִים בַּעֲלֵי הָרוֹאוֹת הַפְּקוּחוֹת וְהַמִּשְׁאָלוֹת הַיְּקָרוֹת וְהַיְּגִיעוֹת הָרְצוּיוֹת, אִשְּׁרוּ אֶל הָאֱלֹהִים וְאֻשְּׁרוּ וְסָחֲרוּ עִמּוֹ וְהִרְוִיחוּ, בֵּרְרוּ מַצְפּוּנָם וְנִבְרְרוּ וְזִכּוּ לִבּוֹתָם וְנִבְחֲרוּ, הִצְטַיְּדוּ הַיִּרְאָה בַּדֶּרֶךְ הָרָעָה, וְנִצְלוּ וְרָכְבוּ מַרְכְּבוֹת הַמַּעֲשִׂים וְהִגִּיעוּ, פָּגְעוּ בְּשִׂמְחָה מַתְמֶדֶת וְשָׂשׂוֹן לֹא יִשְׁתַּנֶּה, נִמְלְטוּ מִמַּעֲמַד הַחֶשְׁבּוֹן וּבָטְחוּ מֵהַיִּסּוּרִים.
This world disguised itself but they recognized it, and they tread it and told of it. Its deception was not hidden from their eyes, neither was its fraud concealed. This world adorned itself to them with beautiful garments (enticed them to pursue the enchantments of this world), but they considered it naked and empty. It deprived them (of livelihood), but it was forced. It tried to befriend them (with wealth), but they scolded it. It tried to sway them, but they distanced from it. They gazed at its evil deeds, and understood its disgraceful acts, and it has no dominion over them, and nothing with which to approach them. They are the choicest of G-d. The pure ones, and the treasured of the pious, possessors of discerning eyes, noble desires, favored deeds, who dug after G-d and became rich, did business with Him and profited , purified their hearts and became pure. They equipped themselves with fear of G-d in the path of evil and were saved. They rode the wagon of piety and arrived, met with the eternal joy, and the delight which never erodes, were spared from the assembly of judgment, and were saved from the punishments (of gehinom).
וְאַתָּה בְּנִי בְּחַר הַטּוֹב לְנַפְשְׁךָ טֶרֶם הַחֲרָטָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא תּוֹעִיל וְהַדְּאָגָה אֲשֶׁר לֹא תִּכְלֶה.
And you, my son, choose the good for your soul, before the regret which will not avail, and the worry which will never end. (end of the letter of the pious man)
הָאֱלֹהִים יוֹרֵנוּ וְאוֹתְךָ הַדֶּרֶךְ הַיְּשָׁרָה וְיַטֶּה אוֹתָנוּ אֶל נְתִיב הַהַצְלָחָה בְּרַחֲמָיו וְרוֹב חֲסָדָיו, אָמֵן:
נִשְׁלַם שַׁעַר הַתְּשִׁיעִי. תְּהִלָּה לָאֵל יִתְבָּרַךְ:
May G-d teach us the just path, and incline us to the road of salvation, in His mercy and great kindness, Amen.