## Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh Chapter 1

###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:1
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:1)

**א.** לְהִתְרַחֵק מִן הַגַּאֲוָה בְּתַכְלִית הָרִיחוּק:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Avoid disagreements which are not for the sake of Heaven.¹ Distance yourself, as much as possible, from conceit,

footnotes:
¹ From the Montefiore manuscript of Orchos Chayim as published Kuntres L’Ma’alah L’Maskil, by R’ Alexander Sternbuch, Bnei Brak, 5754 but absent in the standard printed editions.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:2
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:2)

**ב.** וְכֵן מִן הַחֲנִיפוּת:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
flattering others,


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:3
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:3)

**ג.** וְכֵן מִן הַשֶּׁקֶר וְהַכָּזָב:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
hypocrisy, lies, fraud and dishonesty,


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:4
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:4)

**ד.** וְכֵן מִן הַלֵּיצָנוּת:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
mockery,


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:5
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:5)

**ה.** וְכֵן מִן הָרְכִילוּת:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
slandering, tale-bearing, provoking others into argument,


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:6
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:6)

**ו.** וְכֵן מִן הַכַּעַס:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
and anger.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:7
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:7)

**ז.** ח. שֶּׁיִּזָּהֵר מִמִּכְשּׁוֹל הַנְּדָרִים, וּמֵאוֹנָאוֹת הַבְּרִיּוֹת, הֵן בְּמָמוֹן הֵן בִּדְבָרִים. וּמִקִּנְאָתָם וּמִשִּׂנְאָתָם:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Beware of the danger in making vows. Do not deceive other people, neither in words nor in monetary matters. Do not be envious or hateful of others.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:8
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:8)

**ט.** שֶּׁלֹּא יְכַנֶּה שֵּׁם לַחֲבֵרוֹ, שֶּׁלֹּא יִקְרָאֶנּוּ בְּכִנּוּי שֶּׁכִּנּוּהוּ אֲחֵרִים, אִם לֹא יִהְיֶה נִזְכָּר וְנִכְבָּד בִּשְּׁמוֹ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never call anyone by a nickname, whether invented by you or already in existence, unless it is of a respectable nature.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:9
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:9)

**י.** שֶּׁלֹּא יְסַפֵּר לְשּׁוֹן הָרָע וְשֶּׁלֹּא יְקַבְּלוֹ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not tell defamatory tales about other people, nor listen to or even believe the veracity of gossip.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:10
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:10)

**יא.** שֶּׁלֹּא יֵשֵּׁב עִם יוֹשְּׁבֵי קְרָנוֹת, וְלֹא בִּישִּׁיבַת בָּתֵּי כְּנֵסִיּוֹת שֶּׁל עַמֵּי הָאָרֶץ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not associate with loiterers and loafers, nor frequent the synagogues of the ignorant masses.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:11
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:11)

**יב.** שֶּׁלֹּא יִסְתַּכֵּל בְּאִשָּׁה שֶּׁהִיא אֲסוּרָה לוֹ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not look at a woman whom you are forbidden to marry.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:12
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:12)

**יג.** שֶּׁלֹּא יָשִׂיחַ עַל כּוֹס שֶּׁל בְּרָכָה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not speak when handling a Cup of Blessing, such as one used during the Grace after Meals (Birkas Hamazon), until you drink from it.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:13
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:13)

**יד.** שֶּׁלֹּא יְסַפֵּר מִשֶּׁיַּתְחִיל בָּרוּךְ שֶּׁאָמַר עַד שֶּׁיְּסַיִּיִם תְּפִלּוֹת לַחַשּׁ, וְלֹא בְּעוֹד שֶּׁשְּׁלִיחַ צִבּוּר חוֹזֵר וּמִתְפַּלֵּל הַתְּפִלָּה, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן בְּדִבְרֵי תּוֹרָה, אוֹ בִּדְבַר מִצְוָה אוֹ לָתֵת שָּׁלוֹם וּלְהַחֲזִיר שָּׁלוֹם:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not talk between Boruch She’omar and the end of the silent, Shemoneh Esrei Prayer, and including Tachanun, nor when the Chazan is reciting his Repetition, unless it is a matter of Torah, determining a Halacha or performing a pressing Mitzvah, or to greet someone with or respond to Shalom.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:14
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:14)

**טו.** שֶּׁלֹּא יְדַבֵּר בִּקְרִיאַת הַהַלֵּל, וְלֹא בְּעוֹד שֶּׁשְּׁלִיחַ צִבּוּר קוֹרֵא בַּתּוֹרָה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not talk neither when Hallel is recited nor when the Torah is being read in public.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:15
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:15)

**טז.** שֶּׁלֹּא יֹאכַל פַּת בַּעֲלֵי בָּתִּים שֶּׁל כּוּתִים וְלֹא שֶּׁל פַּלְטָר, אֶלָּא אִם כֵּן לֹא יִזְדַּמֵּן לוֹ שֶּׁל יִשְׂרָאֵל:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not eat Gentile-baked bread, even from their commercial bakeries, unless Jewish-baked bread is unavailable.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:16
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:16)

**יז.** שֶּׁלֹּא יִסְעוֹד בִּסְעוּדַת הָרְשּׁוּת. (וכפי מה שכתוב עוד להלן בסי' קכא):

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not participate in dinner parties (attended by a lot of people), except if it involves a Mitzvah.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:17
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:17)

**יח.** שֶּׁלֹּא יָשִׂיחַ שִׂיחָה בְּטֵלָה. וְיִזָּהֵר לִלְמוֹד בַּלַּיְלָה עַד שֶּׁיִּשַּׁן מִתּוֹךְ דִּבְרֵי תּוֹרָה, וְלֹא מִתּוֹךְ שִׂיחָה בְּטֵלָה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not engage in idle talk, even of those matters which there is no sin. Make it your habit to fall asleep at night whilst learning Torah, and not in the middle of a pointless conversation. That is, tire yourself on Torah.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:18
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:18)

**יט.** שֶּׁלֹּא יַכְנִיס עַצְמוֹ בְּסָפֵק חֲשֵּׁכָה. וְיַזְהִיר בְּנֵי בֵּיתוֹ עַל שְּׁמִירַת שַּׁבָּת, וְיַקְדִּים לְהִתְפַּלֵּל עֶרֶב שַּׁבָּת תְּפִלַּת מִנְחָה כְּדֵי שֶּׁיְּקַבֵּל עָלָיו הַשַּׁבָּת מִבְּעוֹד יוֹם:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not put yourself into a matter of doubt regarding the time of sunset and the start of Shabbos. Instruct and caution your family regarding the proper observances of Shabbos. Daven Mincha on Erev Shabbos early in order to accept the Sabbath while it is still daytime.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:19
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:19)

**כ.** כְּשֶּׁיַּגִּיעַ עֵת תְּפִלָּה מִשָּׁלשּׁ תְּפִלּוֹת שֶּׁבַּיּוֹם, יַנִּיחַ כָּל עֲסָקָיו וְיִתְפַּלֵּל. וְרֹאשּׁ כָּל הַדְּבָרִים שֶּׁיִּשְּׁמוֹר אֶת עֵינָיו מִכָּל דָּבָר שֶּׁאֵינוֹ שֶּׁלּוֹ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
When it comes time for any of the three daily Prayers, set aside your business and pray. Concentrate on your prayers. Importantly, do not look at things which are not yours, so that you will not come to illicitly desire them.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:20
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:20)

**כא.** אַל יְדַבֵּר בֵּין נְטִילַת יָדַיִם לְבִרְכַּת הַמּוֹצִיא. וְיַקְדִּים שָּׁלוֹם לְכָל אָדָם:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not speak between the Washing of the Hands and the Blessing on Bread. Be first in wishing people Shalom, good morning and other such salutations.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:21
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:21)

**כב.** לְבָרֵךְ אֶת בּוֹרְאוֹ שֶּׁהִשְׂבִּיעַ נֶפֶשּׁ שּׁוֹקֵקָה. וְאִם יְקַלְּלוּהוּ בְּנֵי אָדָם אוֹ יְחָרְפוּהוּ, אַל יָשִּׁיב לָהֶם דָּבָר אֶלָּא יְהֵא מִן הַנֶּעֱלָבִים:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Praise God for satiating your appetite and quenching your thirst. If people curse or shame you, do not answer them at all. Rather, be of those who are offended and not of those who offend. Ignore their bad behavior.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:22
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:22)

**כג.** וְאַל יֵצֵא לָרִיב מַהֵר, וְיִתְרַחֵק מִן הַשְּׁבוּעוֹת. וּמִן הַנְּדָרִים, כִּי בַּעֲוֹן הַנְּדָרִים בָּנִים מֵתִים:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not hurry and be argumentative. Stay clear of making oaths and vows. Because of the sin of broken promises, one’s young children die.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:23
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:23)

**כד.** וְיִתְרַחֵק מִן הַשְּׂחוֹק, וּמִן הַכַּעַס, כִּי מְבַלְבֵּל רוּחוֹ וְדַעְתּוֹ שֶּׁל אָדָם. וְשֶּׁיַּעֲבוֹד תָּמִיד לְיוֹצְרוֹ בְּאַהֲבָה. וְשֶּׁלֹּא יַנִּיחַ דָּבָר לַעֲשׂוֹת מֵעִנְיַן זֹאת הַתַּקָּנָה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Distance yourself from jesting and anger, for these things confuse the minds and spirits of men. At all times serve your Creator out of love. Forget not any of these matters.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:24
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:24)

**כה.** לֶאֱהוֹב אֶת ה' בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּבְכָל נַפְשְּׁךָ וּבְכָל מְאֹדֶךָ. וְהַסְכֵּם בְּאָמְרְךָ אֶת ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וְגוֹ' לִמְסוֹר גּוּפְךָ וּמָמוֹנְךָ עַל קְדֻשָּׁתוֹ. וּבָזֶה תְּקַיֵּם בְּעַצְמְךָ דִּבְרֵי הַמְּשּׁוֹרֵר כִּי עָלֶיךָ הוֹרַגְנוּ כָּל הַיּוֹם:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Love God with all your heart and soul, and with all your resources. When you recite the Shema, sincerely intend that, were it to be necessary, you would sacrifice your life and all your assets in order to sanctify His Name; and never do anything to desecrate His Name or degrade His Commandments. By doing this, you fulfill the words of the Singer, “Because, for your sake, we are killed all the time” (Psalms 44:23).


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:25
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 1:25](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/1:25)

**כו.** לִבְטוֹחַ בַּה' בְּכָל לְבָבְךָ וּלְהַאֲמִין בְּהַשְּׁגָּחָתוֹ הַפְּרָטִית. וּבָזֶה תְּקַיֵּם בִּלְבָבְךָ הַיִּחוּד הַשָּׁלֵם, בְּהַאֲמִין בּוֹ כִּי עֵינָיו מְשּׁוֹטְטוֹת בְּכָל הָאָרֶץ, וְעֵינָיו עַל כָּל דַּרְכֵי אִישּׁ, וּבוֹחֵן לֵב וְחוֹקֵר כְּלָיוֹת, כִּי מִי שֶּׁאֵינוֹ מַאֲמִין ''אֲשֶּׁר הוֹצֵאתִיךָ מֵאֶרֶץ מִצְרַיִם'' אַף ''בְּאָנֹכִי ה' אֱלֹהֶיךָ'' אֵינוֹ מַאֲמִין. וְאֵין זֶה יִיחוּד שָּׁלֵם. כִּי זֶה הָיָה [נ''א הוּא] סְגֻלַּת יִשְׂרָאֵל עַל כָּל הָעַמִּים וְזֶה יְסוֹד כָּל הַתּוֹרָה כֻּלָּה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Trust God with all your heart and believe in His personal Providence; He, alone, can help everyone with everyone’s needs. With this, you unify Him completely, for His Eyes rove everywhere on Earth and see all the doings of Man, without exception. He knows the hearts and minds of everyone. The one who does not believe that He “took you out of the Land of Egypt” does not believe the beginning of the verse “I am the Lord, Your God”, and he cannot fully make God One. What makes Israel special among the Nations of the World, and is the foundation of the entire Torah, is to make God One. This has always been at the center of the faith of Israel.