## Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence

###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 1
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 1](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/1)

אמר אין האנוש מכעיס אלהיו כי אם בחשק עולם ומה שבו,
אם תזבחה אותו תהי קרב לכבוד אלהיך ואל טובו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
To be too fond of this world and of that which is therein, provoketh the wrath of Heaven. If thou sacrifice this fondness, thou shalt be sure of the glory and grace of thy God.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 2
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 2](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/2)

מה הוא אשר אדם דורש בעולמו כי אם כבוד עושר ומנוחה.
כי כל מאהב עולמו מאד נפרד מהם וידבק אל יגון ואנחה.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
All man's striving in this world is but for honour, riches, and ease; and yet he who loveth this life too much is often far removed from them, and more closely bound to sorrow and sighing.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 3
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 3](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/3)

לא יפחד אדם עלי עושר הלך לפניו וצידתו,
שיגזלו אותו בני אדם אם יגזל עושרו והון ביתו,
עזוב מה אינך צריך / והצורך קחה בלבד,
יאספך כבוד האל / וזבד טוב לך יזבד.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Fret not for the store laid up, for the riches heaped of yore, fearing lest men rob thee of them, when they steal thy substance and wealth.
Leave that which thou requirest not, seize but that which thou dost need; then shall the glory of God be thy rereward, and good fortune shall be thy meed.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 4
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 4](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/4)

ביום טובה ראה רעה / ויום רעה לאל קוה,
ויציל אותך מצוק / וממכאוב וממדוה.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
In the day of happiness, think of sorrow, and in the day of evil, hope in God, that He may deliver thee from the oppression of anguish and sickness.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 5
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 5](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/5)

הבט ביתרון רש עלי עושר, השכיל והכלם והתבושש,
כי אין אנוש ממרה דבר האל כי אם להעשיר ולא להתרושש.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
See the advantage of poverty over riches! Be wise, and feel thyself abashed and ashamed; for no man rebels against God's Word in attempting to get poor, but he doth so in the endeavour to grow rich.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 6
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 6](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/6)

אמור אל איש הרבה מזוניו, היש לו די להוציאו לשניו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Say unto the man who hath much provision: "Have sufficient years been granted thee wherein to spend thy hoard?"


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 7
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 7](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/7)

אל כל אדם קנה הונים, אמר(ו) לו אם קנה שנים.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Enquire of the man who hath gotten himself wealth, if he hath also assured himself of the years of his life.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 8
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 8](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/8)

בארבעה יגונות / ידבק אדם בעולמו,
בריש אין בו להעשיר / און ולא כחל הצמיתו,
וטרדה אין פנאי עמה / והטרדה תהי עמו,
וחמודו לאין תכלית / ואין יוכל להשלימו,
ובדאגה ואין סוף לה / בתכליתו עד תומו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
There are four causes of sorrow which affect men in this world: When poverty cannot extricate itself, so as to become strong by reason of wealth; when occupation leaveth no time for leisure, and is ever engaging a man; when there is no end to a man's longing for a thing which he can never obtain; and when there is unceasing care, which goeth on to the very end and finish.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 9
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 9](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/9)

אנוש בין יקרה נפשו בעיניו, מאד יקטן יקר עולם בפניו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
A man of understanding who esteemeth himself will think little of this world's splendour.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 10
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 10](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/10)

פרי אילן אנוש דומה בעולם, באבו הוא ומוצאיו ילקטוהו,
והנה כאשר יהיה מבושל, לתאוה הוא ורואיו יאכלהו,
ואם לא ילקטו אותו בני איש, יהי נופל וחיות ירמסוהו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Man in this world may be likened to the fruit of a tree; whilst ripening, it is gathered by those who find it; when matured, it is longed for, and enjoyed by thsoe who see it; while if it be not gathered, it falleth, and the beasts trample it underfoot.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 11
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 11](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/11)

בימי נעורים ירא יום מיתה וסור מחטאים,
כי על גמלים זקנים עורות ככרים נשואים,
ברעות כבשים ואלים הרבה ימותון טלאים,
תיבות נערים לקבר שבים מביאים ונושאים.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
In the days of youth fear the day of death, and depart from sin; for upon old camels the skins of young sheep are borne. When the lambs and the rams are in grazing, many of the young ones perish, and so on the shoulders of the old are the caskets of many young lives carried to the grave.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 12
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 12](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/12)

בני אלים יבקשו יום תמותת בני אדם ומה הוליד לפניו,
ויושבי האדמה ישאלו איש לרעהו ומה הנחיל לבניו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
When a mortal passeth from this world, men of worth will ask, What life did he lead? But they who only think of earth enquire, How much did he bequeath to his children?


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 13
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 13](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/13)

הלא אדם בעולמו / במקרהו ומולדתיו,
כמו אדם סבבוהו / נחשים כל סביבותיו,
במוצאיו ומובאיו / משנאים כל נתיבותיו,
ופחדתו מאד מאל / ומאלה מגורותיו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Is not man in this world, by accident and birth, as a creature e'er surrounded by serpents at every turn? Where'er he goeth, whene'er he cometh, they endanger his every path; in constant fear, he dreadeth lest now, by this one or by that, he be suddenly attacked.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 14
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 14](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/14)

מי שימותת את / נפשו והוא חפצו
תמיד באחריתו / לעד יחיינה
אך אם יחיינה / על תאות עולם
ידע ויתבונן / כי אז ימיתנה.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
He who mortifieth himself, ever thinking with delight of his latter end, will preserve his life unto eternity; while if he keepeth it alive for the pleasure of this world alone, let him know and understand that in this way he killeth the life that is within him.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 15
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 15](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/15)

בכה ודאג / לאנשי התמותות
ואל תשמח / לאנשי הנעימות.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Have a care and weep for man's mortality, and rejoice not at life's pleasantries!


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 16
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 16](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/16)

תקרא ליום ויום לעם יושב משתק ואין עונה ואין קשב,
ויעננו קול לרמותם מאכל ..... יוכלו השב,
ולמעמד הדין יקומון עוד לעמוד פני יוצרם להתחשב.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Proclaim unto people day after day the message; there they sit in silence, they answer not, nor give ear…. But when the Day of Judgment cometh, they will perforce rise up and stand in the presence of their Maker, called upon to give account of their wrong-doings.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 17
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 17](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/17)

אדם באהבת עולם רצונו, / דומה לכלב מוצץ גרמות,
דם משפתיו מוצץ ודומה / כי הוא מוצץ דם העצמות.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
The man whose sole delight is in this world, may be likened to a dog sucking bones; thinking that it is sucking blood from the bone, it sucketh the blood of its own lips.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 18
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 18](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/18)

אנוש יחשק עולם / ולא יעבוד האל,
בכל עת יהי מפסיד / ויחשוב אשר יקנה,
הכי עוד יהי נקבע / עלי כל אשר פעל,
ביום יחליף סותו / ויום כל לבוש ישנה.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
The man who doteth on this life, and serveth not his God, will ever be the loser, though he think that he doth gain. Indeed, he will be stripped of all that he hath done in the day when he doth change his garb, and putteth other raiment on.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 19
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 19](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/19)

בעת תחשוב לעולמך, / חשוב כי תחיה לעד,
ועת תחשוב לאחריתו, / חשוב כי מחר תתמעד.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
When thou dwellest upon this thy world, think that thou wilt live for aye; when thou thinkest of this life's end, think that to-morrow it may slip from thee.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 20
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 20](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/20)

רפאות נשמות אמת הצדקות,
ומות הנפשות הכי מעשקות.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Righteousness is, in truth, the health of the soul; wickedness is its death.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 21
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 21](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/21)

כל מתאבל על עולמו, קוצף על צור רואה גלמו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Whosoever pineth at his fortune in life showeth he is angry with his Maker who formed him.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 22
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 22](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/22)

אנוש ישיש באחת דאגתו, כבר השלים אלהיו תאותו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
The man who can laugh away a single care may be said to have had life's desire accomplished by Heaven.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 23
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 23](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/23)

אנוש בפני בני אדם יקר הודו מאד יקטן,
יהי נצול ונמלט מאנוש מזיק ומשטן.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
The man who, though the world esteem him highly, thinketh very little of himself, is sure to be delivered and released from the grasp of that which harmeth and hindereth.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 24
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 24](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/24)

התעלסה על הון אשר התקדמת,
תתחרטה על כל אשר הנחת.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Pride thyself upon the gain which thou hast already obtained; have remorse for those things which thou hast wilfully neglected.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 25
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 25](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/25)

עזוב כל הון אשר חסר וחדל,
וקח ממון אשר הולך וגדל,

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Leave all gain that diminisheth and ceaseth, and take thou hold of the kind that goeth on and increaseth.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 26
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 26](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/26)

אדם בעוד חי בריא בשלותו,
יכיר וידע כי גדול כים שברו,
כי איך יהי שלם או איך יהי בריא,
אדם, והמות תלוי בצוארו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Let man in life, while in health and at ease, recognise and know that the breach may come great as the sea; for how can man remain whole and strong, seeing that Death is ever hanging at his neck?


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 27
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 27](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/27)

חכם אר ראה אנוש דואג, שאל אמור מה מחשבותיך,
אם הם לעולמך מעט תוחיל, תפרדה מהם במותך,
אם דאגתך באחריתך, האל ירבה דאגתיך.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
A Sage, on observing a man full of care, enquired of him thus: "Why in such deep thought? If thou art concerned with earthly things, thou hast little to hope, for at death thou shalt be parted from them. But if thou art anxious concerning thy latter end, then I say, may God increase thy care!"


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 28
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 28](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/28)

אם תבחנה עולמך משכיל, ותתחשב חוקרו וגם דורשו,
אז תמצאה אותו כמו אויב, עוטה מעיל אוהב ומלבושו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
If, in true wisdom, thou dost test the world in which thou livest, reflecting on it, proving it, and searching it, thou wilt indeed find it like unto an enemy, wearing the mask and cloak of a friend.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 29
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 29](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/29)

הלא תירא אנוש מועד להלך בלא צידה אלי ארץ רחוקה,
ומאין כל יהי יורד לתוך בור ובית שחת מקום צרה וצוקה,
ויעמוד אל פני בוראו ביום דין, לעוברו על דבר מצוה וחוקה.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Shouldst thou not fear, O man forewarned, when, without due provision, thou settest forth for the distant country, and lacking all things, thou descendest into the pit of destruction—the place of trouble and affliction, doomed to stand before thy Creator on the Judgment Day, to answer for the transgression of precept and command?


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 30
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 30](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/30)

אל תחמוד עושר אישים וקנינים, מתוך ומחמם שמו בכליהם,
כמה בני אדם שאספו עושר אל אויביהם ולבעלי נשותיהם.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Covet not the wealth of men and their possessions, filled as their vessels are through oppression and violence. How many men gather riches that goeth to their foes, even to the lovers of their wives!


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 31
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 31](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/31)

מחסר נדבותיו וממעיט צדקתו,
מאסף ומקבץ לאוצר זולתו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
He who his freewill offerings doth reduce, and giveth ever less in charity, is but gathering and collecting wealth to swell the treasures of another.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 32
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 32](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/32)

ירא פן תאסוף לך העונות,
ותנחיל יורשיך הממונות.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Fear lest thou heap up for thyself the sins, and bequeath unto thy heirs the monies.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 33
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 33](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/33)

מצוקות תולדות ימים ואידם ומקריהם חשוב אותם חלומות,
ושים אותם כלא היו והכן מזון נפש וצידת הנשמות.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
As for the worries and calamities which Time bringeth with it, and all the occurrences of life, regard thou them as dreams, and think of them as though they had never been; but fail thou not to prepare food for the soul and some provision for the spirit.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 34
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 34](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/34)

אנוש אינו בבטחה על מזונו, לעולמים יהי ארוך יגונו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
No man is sure of his livelihood, and he is therefore never free from concern.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 35
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 35](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/35)

מרדף אחר הבלי ימותיו, ולא השיג רצונו בו וחפצו,
רצונו איך משיג בעולם אשר אין אחריו חושו ורוצו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
If in all his days here pursuing vain toil, man doth not obtain his will and desire, how can he attain his will in that world for which he had no feeling, and after which he never did run?


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 36
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 36](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/36)

אשר מומו יגל לכל, כבוד נפשו ישכח,
וסר מאהבת עולם אמת רוחו ישבח.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
The man who revealeth his blemish to all forgetteth the honour of his own soul; but he who turneth from the love of this world, may truly be said to glorify the spirit within him.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 37
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 37](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/37)

אדם מתקן סתריו / בוראו יתקן גלוייו,
אם אחריתו מתוקן / יאריך שנותיו וחייו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Let man but establish his secret things, and his Creator will regulate the things revealed. If he attend to his latter end, He on high will lengthen the years of his life.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 38
[Shekel HaKodesh, On Abstinence 38](https://torahapp.org/share/book/Shekel%20HaKodesh/s/On%20Abstinence/r/38)

שומר נפשו יזכור מותו, / ובעוד יומו יפחד לילו,
זה השער ליי' / מספר בתיו כספר ל י ל ו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
He who would preserve his life should call to mind the hour of death; and while he be yet in his day, let him fear the coming of *his night.*¹"=76, the number of lines in this section.]

footnotes:
¹ ["His night