## Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh Chapter 5

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

**עד.** אַל תַּרְבֶּה לִשְׂמוֹחַ. וּזְכוֹר כִּי רוּחַ חַיֶּיךָ. אַתָּה נוֹצָר מֵעָפָר, וְאַחֲרִיתְךָ רִמָּה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not be overly joyous. Remember that life is fleeting. You are descendant of Adam, the first man, who was created from dust, and in the end you will be consumed by worms.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:2
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:2)

**עה.** אַל תֹּאמַר עַל שּׁוּם מִצְוָה אֶעֱשֶׂה אוֹתָהּ לְמָחָר, שֶּׁמֶּא לֹא תִּפָּנֶה לַעֲשׂוֹת:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not say regarding any Mitzva, “I will do it tomorrow” lest you not have the time or opportunity to do so then.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:3
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:3)

**עו.** אַל תִּפָּרֵד מֵהֶגְיַית [נ''א מהגיון] חָכְמָה וּמוּסָר, וְתִתְאַבֵּק בַּעֲפַר רַגְלֵי חֲכָמִים וְהִתְחַכֵּם:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not separate yourself from learning Torah wisdom and ethics. Allow yourself to be covered with the dust of the feet of the Sages by following in their footsteps, and you, too, will become wise.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:4
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:4)

**עז.** אַל תַּנִּיחַ דֶּרֶךְ חֲסִידוּת אַף עַל פִּי שֶּׁמַּלְעִיגִין עָלֶיךָ, וְאַל תֵּבוֹשּׁ לִדְבַר מִצְוָה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never stop performing acts of loving-kindness³ even though others mock you for this. Never be ashamed to perform a Mitzvah.

footnotes:
³ Alternatively, “Do not stop in the middle of performing an act of loving-kindness because someone is mocking you”.


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

**עח.** אַל תִּקְפֹּץ יָדְךָ מִלִּתֵּן תָּמִיד אֶל הָעֲנִיִּים וְלָאֶבְיוֹנִים, וּמִבְּשָׂרְךָ אַל תִּתְעַלָּם:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not clench tight your fist and desist from always giving to the poor and indigent. Never turn from helping your relatives making like you don’t know them.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:6
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:6)

**עט.** אַל תְּאַחֵר לָרוּץ וּלְמַהֵר וּלְהָכִין לִפְנֵיהֶם שֻּׁלְחָן וָלֶחֶם, כִּי שֶּׁמֶּא הֵם רְעֵבִים:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Rush to prepare food for them immediately, they may be ravenous.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:7
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:7)

**פ.** אַל תִּתְעַצֵל לְהָבִיא מַעֲשֵׂר אֶל בֵּית הָאוֹצָר, כִּי מַתָּן בַּסֵּתֶר יִכְפֶּה אָף:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not tarry in bringing a tithe to the communal kitchen. The act of bringing charity in secret checks God’s anger against you.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:8
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:8)

**פא.** אַל תַּבִּיט לְמִי שֶּׁהוּא קָטָן מִמְּךָ בַּעֲבוֹדָה וּבְיִרְאָה, כִּי אִם לְגָדוֹל מִמְּךָ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not look up to those who are lesser than you in their Service of God or their Awe of Heaven. Rather, set your eyes on those who are greater than you in these affairs.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:9
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:9)

**פב.** אַל תָּרִים יָדְךָ עַל חֲבֵרְךָ, וְאַף אִם הוּא מְקַלֵּל אֶת אָבִיךָ וְאֶת אִמְּךָ בְּפָנֶיךָ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never raise a hand against your fellow man, even were he to curse your mother or father to your face.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:10
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:10)

**פג.** אַל תּוֹצִיא דִּבָּה וּלְשּׁוֹן הָרָע עַל שּׁוּם בְּרִיָּה, וְלֹא לְזוּת וּרְכִילוּת:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never speak evil or slanderously about anyone. Never be contentious or spread lies about other people.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:11
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:11)

**פד.** אַל תְּהִי נִבְהָל לְהָשִּׁיב בְּעַזּוּת לְמִי שֶּׁאָמַר דְּבָרִים אֲשֶּׁר לֹא טוֹבִים:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not overreact and respond hastily and vehemently to someone who speaks bad things.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:12
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:12)

**פה.** אַל תַּשְּׁמִיעַ בַּחוּץ קוֹלֶךָ, וְאַל תִּהְיֶה צוֹוֵחַ כַּבְּהֵמָה. וּדְבָרֶיךָ יִהְיוּ בְּנַחַת:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not scream and yell like a wild, boorish person, for by so doing you will lose your Fear of Heaven. Do not speak so loudly at home that your voice can be heard outside of your house. Do not bellow like an animal. Always speak gently.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:13
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:13)

**פו.** אַל תַּלְבִּין פְּנֵי חֲבֵרְךָ בָּרַבִּים, כִּי הָעוֹשֶׂה כֵּן אֵין לוֹ חֵלֶק לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never humiliate anyone in public for one who does so has no portion in the World to Come.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:14
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:14)

**פז.** אַל תַּרְאֶה יְכוֹלֶת נֶגֶד שּׁוּם אָדָם אִם יָדְךָ גָּבְרָה, כִּי לֹא תֵדַע אִם תַּחֲלוֹשּׁ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never bully anyone because you are stronger than him. Remember, there may come a time when you will be the weak one.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:15
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:15)

**פח.** אַל תִּרְדּוֹף אַחַר הַכָּבוֹד, וְלֹא תַּעֲלֶה בְּמַעֲלָה שֶּׁאֵינָה רְאוּיָה לָךְ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never pursue honor or authority. Never aspire to heights beyond your capabilities⁴.

footnotes:
⁴ Literally, what you deserve.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:16
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:16)

**פט.** אַל יְכַבְּדוּךָ בְּנֵי אָדָם פֶּן יְבַעֵט וְיַשְּׁפִּילְךָ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never compel people to honor you because of your wealth or powerful position. Someone might resent this and will try to disgrace you or cause your downfall in return.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:17
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:17)

**צ.** אַל תֶּרֶף יָדְךָ מִלְּבַקִּשּׁ רֵעִים וְאוֹהֲבִים. וְאַל יִמְעַט לְפָנְיִךָ שׂוֹנֵא אֶחָד:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never let up in your pursuit of making new friends and supporters. Do not take lightly even one enemy.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:18
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:18)

**צא.** אַל תְּגַנֶּה מֶקַּח חֲבֵרְךָ, וְאַל תַּחֲלִישּׁ דַּעְתּוֹ כִּי זֶה מִנְהָג לַחֲסֵירֵי דַּעַת:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not consider lightly something your friend acquired, for this will upset him and cause him consternation. To do so is the manner of fools.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:19
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:19)

**צב.** אַל תֹּאמַר בְּצִדְקָתִי [נ''א בצדקתי העשרתי], וְתִירָא שֶּׁלֹּא תְּקַבֵּל שְׂכָרְךָ בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never say, “God has made me rich because of my righteousness”. Rather, be worried that you have received your reward in this World, and not in the World to Come⁵.

footnotes:
⁵ Where the rewards are greater.


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

**צג.** אַל תַּטֶּה אֶת חֲבֵרְךָ מִדֶּרֶךְ טוֹבָה אֶל דֶּרֶךְ רָעָה, כְּגוֹן מֵסִית וּמַדִּיחַ וְכַיּוֹצֵא בָּזֶה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not cause your fellow man to turn from the good way to a bad one, like those who entice and seduce people from the worship of God.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:21
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:21)

**צד.** אַל תֹּאכַל אֲכִילָה גַּסָּה עַד שֶּׁתְּמַלֵּא כְּרֵסְךָ, כִּי הַרְבֵּה חֳלָאִים בָּאִים עַל רוֹב אֲכִילָה:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not be a gourmand and stuff your belly with food, for many illnesses result from overeating.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:22
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:22)

**צה.** אַל תְּהִי בְּסוֹבְאֵי יַיִן בְּזוֹלְלֵי בָּשָׂר, פֶּן תִּשְּׁכַּח אֶת בּוֹרַאֲךָ וְתַחְלִיא. [נ''א ותחטא]:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not socialize with people who devour wine or are gluttonous carnivores lest you forget your Maker and make yourself ill or become sinful.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:23
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:23)

**צו.** אַל תַּטִּיל אֵימָה יְתֵירָה בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתְךָ כִּי הַרְבֵּה קִלְקוּלִים בָּאִים עַל רוֹב מוֹרָא:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not terrorize your family and household for many serious failings result from such behavior.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:24
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:24)

**צז.** אַל תִּתְיַחֵד עִם שּׁוּם אִשָּׁה חוּץ מֵאִשְּׁתְּךָ וְאִמְּךָ וּבִתְּךָ, וַאֲפִלּוּ עִם שְּׁתֵּי נָשִּׁים:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never be alone in a room with any woman other than your wife, mother or daughter, and even if there are two women with you. Never look at women or their clothing.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:25
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:25](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:25)

**צח.** אַל תְּשַּׁבֵּחַ אִשָּׁה בְּיָפְיָהּ וּבְטוּב מַעֲשֶׂיהָ, פֶּן יְאַשְּׁרוּהָ הַשּׁוֹמְעִים:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Never praise a woman for her beauty or her good deeds lest others suspect her of immorality⁶.

footnotes:
⁶ Literally, “and others will come and praise her”. That language is difficult. Rabbi Reuven Melamed in the name of Rabbi E. Lapian says that this text is a printer’s error and should read, “and others will come to desire her.”


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:26
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:26](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:26)

**צט.** אַל תִּתֵּן תִּפְאֶרֶת לְעַצְמְךָ וְאַל תְּיַקִּר גּוּפְךָ בְּעֵינֶיךָ, וְתַקְטִין אֶת עַצְמֶךָ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Do not venerate yourself nor make yourself precious in your own eyes. Rather, underrate yourself.


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

**ק.** אַל תְּבַהֵל מַעֲשֶׂיךָ:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Act patiently. Do your work with forethought and not hastily.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:28
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:28](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:28)

**קא.** אַל תַּרְבֶּה לְדַבֵּר בִּדְבָרִים הַמּוֹעִילִים, וּבְלֹא נֶזֶק, כִּי אִם בְּקוֹצֶר לָשּׁוֹן:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Even regarding matters which are beneficial and not damaging, talk succinctly. Speak to the point.


###### Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:29
[Orchot Chaim L'HaRosh 5:29](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Orchot%20Chaim%20L%27HaRosh/r/5:29)

**קב.** אַל תֶּרֶף יָדְךָ לִקְנוֹת לְךָ חָבֵר נֶאֱמָן וּשְּׁמוֹר אוֹתוֹ, וְאַל תְּאַבְּדֵהוּ כִּי טוֹב:

**Orchot Chayim, trans. Reuven Brauner, 2014:**
Perpetually make efforts to acquire and maintain a faithful friend. Good friends are most beneficial.