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.

flattering others,

hypocrisy, lies, fraud and dishonesty,

mockery,

slandering, tale-bearing, provoking others into argument,

and anger.

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.

Never call anyone by a nickname, whether invented by you or already in existence, unless it is of a respectable nature.

Do not tell defamatory tales about other people, nor listen to or even believe the veracity of gossip.

Do not associate with loiterers and loafers, nor frequent the synagogues of the ignorant masses.

Do not look at a woman whom you are forbidden to marry.

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.

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.

Do not talk neither when Hallel is recited nor when the Torah is being read in public.

Do not eat Gentile-baked bread, even from their commercial bakeries, unless Jewish-baked bread is unavailable.

Do not participate in dinner parties (attended by a lot of people), except if it involves a Mitzvah.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.