## Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial

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

אמר אלהים לאדמה לאזין קולו והוא יהיה במסעדיה,
לעבוד ישרים ואמונים עובדים אל נעלה ולהעביד עובדיה.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
God's Word to Mother-earth did come: "Hearken to my voice!" And He did promise to support her task, if men, as true and faithful servants of the God on high, would work the ground with diligence.


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

מי הוא אנוש משכיל / הולל לפי שכלו,
זהו דבר פשע / יכיר ויבדילו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Who is the man of wisdom, that may rightly boast of wisdom? 'Tis he who, recognising the sinful thing, keepeth himself aloof from it.


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

לא ישקטה איש תבונה / שואל אמונה ודורש,
עד שולחו תאותו / כלה גרש יגרש.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
The man of sense who enquireth, and seeketh to remain firm, will not rest until he doth dismiss his desire, and drive it wholly away from him.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 4
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איש בין בעצמך אל / תהי בטוח,
עד ימשלה / שכלך בתאותך,
אם לא תהי מושל / בתאותך,
איכה תהי מושל / בזולתך.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
O man of understanding! Be not confident until thy sense hath conquered thy desire. If o'er thy own desire thou canst not rule, how canst thou over others rule?


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

לא נחשב אדם ישר דרך / עד יהיו נגדו משוקצים
כל העברות תאות נפש / בהם כעכברי' וכשקצים.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
No man can be accounted upright until his sinful soul's desires be looked upon by him as so many abominations, equally abhorred as the mouse and other unclean things.


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

אסור הוא לשלש ראשים / יפרד, שים לב תבחננו,
אסור הנפש מתאוה / ולאיסורו תרחיקנו,
עוד יש אסור אין בו תאוה / לעשותו, אז תניחנו,
עוד יש אסור אלו היה מותר / נפש תשנאנו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Things prohibited may be classed under three different heads; give them thy attention, and thou wilt easily discern them. There are things which thy soul longeth after, which thou shouldst keep at arm's length; some things may be prohibited for which thou hast no desire, leave these alone; some things, too, are prohibited, which, even if allowed, would find man's soul recoil from them.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 7
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אשרי מגרש תאוה נהיה / ליקר אשר לא בא ולא נראה,
כי לא יהי נחם אנוש ינח / לכבוד אלהיו תאוה באה.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Happy the man who divorceth his desire for the glory of that which cometh not nor appeareth; for no man will regret having stifled, to the glory of God, the desire that assailed him!


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 8
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אנוש לא ימשלה על תאותו / מאד מרה ורעה אחריתו,
וכשפיפון יהי נושך עקבו / יליד יומו ותרבה מחלתו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
As for the man who ruleth not over his desire, his end will be all evil and bitter; and, as though stung in the heel by the adder, will be what the day bringeth him forth, his pain growing greater and keener.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 9
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אם תדרשה עצה ולא תמצא / יועץ אשר בו לבך יבטח,
סור מאשר יקרב לתאותך / רשת וחרם פן לך תשטח,
כי י צרך אורב לשכלך / עת יאטם אזנו ועינו טח.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Shouldst thou seek counsel, and not find the adviser in whom thou canst confide, then turn from that which thy desire doth prompt, lest for thyself thou spread destruction's net. Lo, thy desire for thy good sense doth lie in wait, when sense doth stop its ear and close its eye!


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 10
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לולי שלשה נתרבו כל ענייני אדם, וצדקתו תהי מודעת,
זקן קשה עורף במלבוש גאוה, גם תאוה באה ולא נמנעתי.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Were it not for three considerations, things would go all well with man, and his right-doing would be assured, namely (the powerlessness of) old age (to impress its experiences); the stubbornness with which pride is decked; and the desire of man which cometh upon him, and is not vanquished.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 11
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מקבל את עצת תאות לבבו / ברגע קט ששון לבו יפזר,
וממרה את עצתה כן יכובד, ומתנשא יהי נצח ונעזר.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
He who taketh the counsel of his heart's desire will in a brief moment destroy the joy of his heart; but he who rebelleth against the promptings of desire will receive due honour, and, rising above, will prove himself the victor, and be helped.


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

אל תהי מריב לאיש כילי / עצר ומנע הונו ממך חפץ,
עם תאותך ריב והלחם / אתה ועברות אפך הפץ.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Strive not with a miser, who delighteth in keeping and holding back from thee his wealth; strive rather with thine own desire, fight against it, and scatter thy fierce passion.


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

התאוה ערה בכל רגע ועת / רואה, והעצה ישינה נצח,
על כן תהי עצה מנוצחת / והתאוה מאד תרום ומעיז מצח.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Tis ever so; while counsel sleepeth, passion waketh, watching at all times and hours. If wise counsel be overcome, rising passion showeth its brazen front.


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

אשר הטיב בילדותו / יהי מטיב בזקנותו,
ואם חטא בנערותו / יהי חוטא עד מותו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
If in goodness the child his life begin, he will continue so until old age; he who in his youth doth sin, will remain a sinner unto death.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 15
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אנוש אנוש עד מתי לבבך / יהי ישן ותקיץ משנתך,
הנח כל מלחמות אשר בתבל והתגבר וריב עם תאותך.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
How long, O man, will thy heart yet slumber? When wilt thou wake from thy sleep? The world's battles leaving, strengthen thyself, and fight with thy desire the goodly fight.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 16
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איש על יפי תבל / שומע לתאותו,
למאד יגון לבו / ירבה חרטתו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
But shouldst thou, too fond of the beauteous world, to its pleasures give way, understand, to the great sorrow of thy heart, thy remorse will grow apace.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 17
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תאוה ועורון שניהם ידבקו יתחבקו יחד ויתלכדו,
יתחברו לשחית יקר עוז האנוש, ישתתפו לעד ולא נפרדו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Passion and blindness to each other as a pair do cling, they are caught in each other's embrace; joined together to destroy the beauteous strength of manhood, they associate always, and never part.


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

מקבל יסורי אל והיו כרצונו, יהי משיג לעד שמחות ומנוחות,
ואדם על פגעי זמזנו מצטער, יסובוהו כל עת יגונות ואנחות.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Who Heaven's trials in cheerful spirit doth receive, will ever gain the joyousness that bringeth with it true restfulness; while he who frets at what the hour may bring, will ne'er from sighs and sorrowing be free.


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

בכל דבר תשוגב(ר) אמונה, בכל המעלות רק היא יחידה,
ודי לך באמונה חן ועושר, והון עתק ועסק בעבודה.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Faith in all things doth stand high; 'tis unique and foremost in quality. Where there is faith, there is enough of grace and wealth, of substance strong, and of service full.


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

לא בא מזון אדם וחק טורפו לא ימצאה על רוב מהירתו,
אם יברחה ויעזוב טורפו, הוא ידרשהו עד מצוא אותו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
Not in proportion to one's haste will one's food, nor daily ration, come; should it elude thy grasp and leave thee, seek it until thou find it again.


###### Shekel HaKodesh, On Self Denial 21
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מאס בדין האל ומשפטו, שוטה ואין רפאות לאולתו,
כי לא להועיל אל זעוף פנים כעס ועצבתו בבא עתו.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
What a fool is he who God's judgment and ruling contemneth! There is no cure for such folly as his. When his time comes, it will avail him naught to show a sad countenance, or to betray anger and annoyance.


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

אשוה אל נכחי / לבל יאבד נצחי,
לכונן את אורחי / אחשב בלבבי,
לתאותי אענה / לבקש לה מחנה,
חרוזיה אמנה / במספר ב ל ב ב י.

**Shekel Hakodesh, trans. Hermann Gollancz, London 1919:**
I will place God before me, that my hope be not lost. I will resolve *in my heart*¹"=46, the number of lines in this section.] to make my way firm.

footnotes:
¹ ["In my heart