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Sefer HaMiddot, Charity, Part I

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א. כָּל צְדָקָה וָחֶסֶד שֶׁיִּשְׂרָאֵל עוֹשִׂין בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה, שָׁלוֹם גָּדוֹל וּמְלִיצֵי ישֶׁר בֵּין יִשְׂרָאֵל לַאֲבִיהֶם שֶׁבַּשָּׁמַיִם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

I All the charity and kindness that the Jews do in this world creates advocates of merit and leads to great harmony between Israel and their Father in heaven.

ב. גְּדוֹלָה צְדָקָה שֶׁמְּקָרֶבֶת אֶת הַגְּאֻלָּה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Charity is so great that it hastens the Final Redemption,

ג. וּמַצֶּלֶת מִן הַמִּיתָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

saves the giver from death,

ד. וּמְקַבֵּל פְּנֵי. הַשְּׁכִינָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

and enables one to receive the Divine Presence.

ה. וְנַעֲשֶׂה מַלְוֶה לְהַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

[The giver of charity] becomes a creditor for God, as it were.

ו. וְנִתְרוֹמֵם מַזָּלוֹ.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

His fortune is enhanced,

ז. וְנִקְרָא צַדִּיק גָּמוּר.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

and he is called a perfect Tzaddik.

ח. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה נַעֲשֶׂה סוּר מֵרָע.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Giving charity enables one to turn from evil ways.

ט. מִצְוָה לָזוּן אֵלּוּ שֶׁעוֹסְקִים בַּתּוֹרָה יוֹתֵר מֵאֵלּוּ שֶׁאֵין עוֹסְקִין, אֲבָל לְעִנְיַן דִּינָא אֵין לְחַלֵק.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

It is a greater mitzvah to provide for those who occupy themselves with the study of Torah than to provide for those who do not. With regards to the letter of the law, however, no distinction should be made.

י. כְּשֶׁמּוֹצִיא גְּזֵלָה מִתַּחַת יַד חֲבֵרוֹ, כְּאִלּוּ נָתַן צְדָקָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Removing a stolen object from a fellow Jew’s possession is like giving charity.

יא. הַפְּשָׁרָה הִיא מִשְׁפָּט, שֶׁיֵּשׁ בּוֹ צְדָקָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Compromise is a form of judgment that contains the quality of charity.

יב. הַנּוֹתֵן צְדָקָה לְעָנִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ הָגוּן, אֵין מְקַבֵּל עַל זֶה שָׂכָר.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Giving charity to a poor person who does not deserve it carries no reward.

יג. צָרִיךְ לְהַחֲזִיק טוֹבָה לַנּוֹתֵן, וְאַל תֹּאמַר שֶׁלֹּא נָתַן לְךָ מִשֶּׁלּוֹ.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Always be grateful to the giver, never saying that it was not his to give, [but God’s].

יד. שְׁקוּלָה צְדָקָה כְּנֶגֶד כָּל הַמִּצְווֹת.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Charity is equal to all the other mitzvot combined.

טו. גָּדוֹל הַמְעַשֶּׂה יוֹתֵר מִן הָעוֹשֶׂה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Getting others to do (give) is even greater than doing (giving) oneself.

טז. כָּל פְּרוּטָה וּפְרוּטָה מִצְטָרְפִין לְחֶשְׁבּוֹן גָּדוֹל.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

All the pennies one gives to charity make up one large sum.

יז. גָּדוֹל הָעוֹשֶׂה צְדָקָה בַּסֵּתֶר יוֹתֵר מִמּשֶׁה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Anyone who conceals his charitable deeds is even greater than Moses.

יח. הַנּוֹתֵן פְּרוּטָה לֶעָנִי מִתְבָּרֵךְ בְּשֵׁשׁ, וְהַמְפַיְּסוֹ מִתְבָּרֵךְ בְּאַחַת עֶשְׂרֵה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

A person who gives a penny to charity receives six blessings, but one who consoles a poor person is rewarded eleven times over.

יט. הָרוֹדֵף צְדָקָה, הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא מַמְצִיא לוֹ מָעוֹת וּמַמְצִיא לוֹ בְּנֵי אָדָם מְהֻגָּנִים כְּדֵי לְקַבֵּל עֲלֵיהֶם שָׂכָר, וְזוֹכֶה לְבָנִים בַּעֲלֵי עשֶׁר, בַּעֲלֵי חָכְמָה, בַּעֲלֵי אַגָּדָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

The Holy One makes certain that a person who is eager to give charity has the money to do so, and deserving paupers are sent his way so that he will be rewarded for his benevolence. Such a person is also rewarded with children who will be wealthy, wise and masters of Aggadah.

כ. בְּרֹאשׁ הַשָּׁנָה דָּנִין אֶת הָאָדָם כַּמָּה יַפְסִיד, וְאִם זָכָה נוֹתֵן זֶה הַמָּמוֹן לַעֲנִיִּים.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

On Rosh Hashanah it is determined how much money each person will lose during the coming year. If he is worthy, he gives it to poor people.

כא. יְרוּשָׁלַיִם נִפְדֵּית בִּצְדָקָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Jerusalem will be redeemed through charity.

כב. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה נִתְכַּפֵּר לְאַחְאָב מֶחֱצָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

The evil Ahab had half his sins forgiven because he gave charity.

כג. הַכְנָסַת אוֹרְחִים מֵגֵן עַל חֵטְא עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Hospitality saves one from the sin of idolatry.

כד.. גְדוֹלָה הַכְנָסַת אוֹרְחִים שֶׁמְּרַחֶקֶת אֶת הַקְּרוֹבִים וּמְקָרֶבֶת אֶת הָרְחוֹקִים.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

So great is hospitality that [failing to be hospitable] repulses those who are near, while [being hospitable] draws near those who are distant.

כה. הַמַּזְמִין עַכּוּ"ם בְּתוֹךְ בֵּיתוֹ וּמְשַׁמֵּשׁ עָלָיו, גּוֹרֵם גָּלוּת לְבָנָיו.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Hosting an idolater in one’s home causes one’s children to suffer exile.

כו. כְּשֶׁהָעוֹלָם אֵין נוֹתְנִים צְדָקָה, הַמַּלְכוּת גּוֹזֵר גְּזֵרוֹת רָעוֹת וְלוֹקֵחַ מָמוֹנָם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

When people do not give charity, the government issues evil decrees and takes their money from them.

כז. יִתֵּן לִצְדָקָה בִּשְׁתֵּי יָדַיִם, וְיִהְיֶה תְּפִלָּתוֹ נִשְׁמַעַת.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Give charity with both hands and your prayers will be heard.

כח. עַל יְדֵי הַנְּדִיבוּת תִּהְיֶה לְךָ תְּקוּמָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

By being generous, you will be able to stand your ground.

כט. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה בָּא אֱמוּנָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Charity brings to faith.

ל. מִי שֶׁהוֹלֵךְ בִּשְׁבִיל צְדָקוֹת, הוּא מְשַׁכֵּךְ חֵמָה מִן הָעוֹלָם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Whoever goes about collecting charity removes wrath from the world.

לא. גַּם זוֹכֶה לֶאֱמֶת.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

He also merits truth.

לב. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה יִהְיֶה לְךָ בָּנִים, וְיִהְיֶה שָׁלוֹם בֵּינֵיהֶם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

By giving charity, you will be blessed with children and they will live together peacefully.

לג. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה הַפֵּרוֹת מַצְמִיחִין.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Giving charity causes the land’s produce to grow.

לד. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה מְקָרֵב הַיְּשׁוּעָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Charity hastens salvation

לה. בְּעֵת צָרָה מַזְכִּירִין לוֹ הַצְּדָקוֹת שֶׁנָּתַן.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

In a time of trouble, a person’s charitable deeds are recalled for him.

לו. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה שֶׁתִּתֵּן, גַּם הַשָּׂרִים וְהַמְּלָכִים יִהְיוּ עִמְּךָ בְּשָׁלוֹם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

When you give charity, officials and rulers will be sympathetic to you.

לז. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה לֹא יִשְׁמַע אָדָם חָמָס וְשׁוֹד וָשֶׁבֶר.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

By giving charity, a person is spared injustice, robbery and misfortune.

לח. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה זוֹכֶה אָדָם לְחֵן.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Giving charity brings a person grace.

לט. מִי שֶׁמְּדַבֵּר לִבְנֵי אָדָם, שֶׁיִּתְּנוּ צְדָקָה, הוּא מַרְבֶּה יְשׁוּעָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

A person who encourages others to give charity increases salvation.

מ. כְּשֶׁאֵין בָּעִיר מִי לִסְמֹךְ אֶת הָעֲנִיִּים, בָּא שְׂרֵפָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

A town in which there is no one to support the poor will experience an outbreak of fires.

מא. בִּזְכוּת הַצְּדָקָה נִצּוֹל מִגַּאֲוָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

In reward for his generosity, a person is saved from haughtiness.

מב. אֱמוּנָה חָשׁוּב כִּצְדָקָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Faith in God is considered like giving charity.

מג. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם בָּא לְמִדַּת בּוּשָׁה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

By giving charity for the sake of Heaven one attains the quality of modesty.

מד. עַל יְדֵי הַנְּדִיבוּת יָבוֹא לְאַהֲבַת הַצַּדִּיקִים.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

A person’s benevolence causes him to feel love for the Tzaddikim.

מה. מִי שֶׁגּוֹזֵל אֶת הֶעָנִי,. בִּזְיוֹנוֹת בָּאִים עָלָיו.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Whoever steals from a poor person will be disgraced.

מו. מִי שֶׁנּוֹתֵן צְדָקָה, כְּאִלּוּ מֵבִיא קָרְבָּן.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Giving charity is tantamount to bringing a sacrifice.

מז. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה בָּא גֶּשֶׁם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Charity brings rain.

מח. עַל יְדֵי צְדָקָה אֵין מְגָרְשִׁין אֶת בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל מִמְּקוֹמָם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

When Jews give charity, they are not exiled from their country.

מט. כְּשֶׁאֲנָשִׁים נוֹתְנִים צְדָקָה, עַל יְדֵי זֶה הַפֵּרוֹת נִתְבָּרְכִין וְהַשָּׁלוֹם בָּעוֹלָם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

When people give charity, the land’s produce is blessed and there is peace in the world.

נ. עַל יְדֵי אֱמֶת רוֹאִים אֶת הַצְּדָקָה שֶׁאַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

By being truthful, your charitable deeds are noticed.

נא. צְדָקָה מֵגֵן עַל זַרְעוֹ שֶׁל אָדָם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Giving charity protects a person’s offspring.

נב. מִי שֶׁמִּתְפַּלֵּל עַל חֲבֵרוֹ, נֶחְשָׁב לוֹ כִּצְדָקָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

When one person prays for another, he is credited with having given charity.

נג. מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ דֵּי סִפּוּקוֹ, וְאַף עַל פִּי כֵן עֵינוֹ רָעָה בָּעֲנִיִּים, שֶׁבָּאִים וּפוֹשְׁטִים יְדֵיהֶם, שֶׁיִּתֵּן לָהֶם, גַּם מִי שֶׁנּוֹתֵן עַל מַחֲצִית שָׂכָר, וְהֵם עֲמֵלִים וּמְבִיאִים לוֹ מַחֲצִיתוֹ, וּכְשֶׁרוֹאֶה שֶׁהֵם מַרְוִיחִין וְיֵשׁ לָהֶם פַּרְנָסָתָם וְדֵי סִפּוּקָם, הוּא מֵצֵר עַל זֶה, כִּי עֵינוֹ רָעָה, עָלָיו נִתְקַיֵּם הַנְּבוּאָה, הַנִּכְתָּב אַחַר פָּסוּק "בִּמְלֹאות שִׂפְּקוֹ יֵצֶר לוֹ" עַד "זֶה חֵלֶק אָדָם רָשָׁע".

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

If, despite having all he needs, a person looks disapprovingly at the poor people who approach him with outstretched hands, he will have the following prophecy applied to him: “In the fullness of his sufficiency he will be pained... [Heaven will reveal his sin... The abundance of his house shall depart...] This is the lot of a wicked man...” It will also be fulfilled in a person who enables others to enter into a business venture by giving them half of what they require, but when they, through their efforts, earn enough to repay him and have sufficient livelihood besides, is resentful and pained by their success.

נד. מִי שֶׁעוֹשֶׂה חֶסֶד עִם אוֹהֲבֵי הַשֵּׁם יִתְבָּרַךְ, עַל יְדֵי זֶה מְתַקֵּן פְּגַם הַבְּרִית.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

When a person performs kind deeds for those who love God, he rectifies having blemished the brit.

נה. בִּזְכוּת עֲנִיִּים אָנוּ נִצּוֹלִים מִן הַגּוֹיִים.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

The merit of the poor saves us from the gentiles.

נו. כְּשֶׁאַתָּה עוֹשֶׂה מִצְוָה, תִּרְאֶה שֶׁהַמִּצְוָה לֹא תִּהְיֶה בְּחִנָּם, אֶלָּא בְּכֶסֶף מָלֵא.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

When doing a mitzvah, don’t try to have it not cost you; rather, pay a full price for it.

נז. בַּעֲווֹן תְּרוּמוֹת וּמַעַשְׂרוֹת הַשָּׁמַיִם נֶעֱצָרִים וְהַיֹּקֶר הֲוָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

For the sin of not tithing one’s produce, the heavens are restrained and there is inflation.

נח. הַשִּׂמְחָה. בִּצְדָקָה הִיא סִימָן עַל לֵב שָׁלֵם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Giving charity happily is a sign of wholeheartedness.

נט. עֲשֵׂה עַד שֶׁאַתָּה מוֹצֵא וּמָצוּי לְךָ וְעוֹדְךָ בְּיָדְךָ.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Keep giving: for as long as you find [people in need]; for as long as you have [what to give]; and for as long as you have the power [to give].

ס. כָּל הַמְשַׁגֵּר מַתְּנוֹתָיו לְכֹהֵן אֶחָד, מֵבִיא רָעָב לָעוֹלָם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Whoever becomes accustomed to supporting one particular Kohen brings hunger to the world.

סא. הַמַּטִּיל מְלַאי לְכִיס שֶׁל תַּלְמִיד חָכָם, זוֹכֶה לֵישֵׁב בִּישִׁיבָה שֶׁל מַעְלָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

One who provides a Torah scholar with all his needs earns himself a place in the Academy of heaven.

סב. גְּדוֹלָה צְדָקָה יוֹתֵר מִכָּל הַקָּרְבָּנוֹת.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Charity is greater than all the sacrifices.

סג. גְּדוֹלָה גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים מִן הַצְּדָקָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Acts of kindness are even greater than giving charity.

סד. שֶׁמָּא תֹּאמַר כָּל הַבָּא לִקְפֹּץ וְלִתֵּן צְדָקָה, מַסְפִּיקִין בְּיָדוֹ, וּמַמְצִיאִין לוֹ אֲנָשִׁים מְהֻגָּנִים, תַּלְמוּד לוֹמַר: "מַה יָּקָר", צָרִיךְ לִטְרֹחַ וְלִרְדֹּף אַחֲרֵיהֶם, לְפִי שֶׁאֵינָם מְצוּיִים לִזְכּוֹת עִם מְהֻגָּנִים.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Should you think that anyone who is eager to give charity is granted the opportunity and is immediately sent truly deserving paupers, the verse therefore uses the expression “how precious,” to teach that we must exert ourselves and search after such worthy individuals. Indeed, deserving paupers through whom a person can gain merit are hard to find.

סה. הַצְּדָקָה הִיא בִּשְׁנֵי פָּנִים: כְּמַתְּנַת יָדוֹ וּכְבִרְכַּת ה'.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Charity has two faces: [The unstinting person who doesn’t have much should give] in line with what he can afford; and [the stingy person who has been blessed with wealth should give] in line with God’s blessing.

סו. מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ לוֹ וְאֵינוֹ רוֹצֶה לְהִתְפַּרְנֵס מִשֶּׁלּוֹ וּמְקַבֵּל מֵאֲחֵרִים, תֵּדַע שֶׁנִּפְרָעִין מִמֶּנּוּ לְאַחַר מוֹתוֹ, שֶׁנַּעֲשֶׂה עֶבֶד לָזֶה שֶׁלָּקַח מִמֶּנּוּ.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

When a person has enough for his own needs but chooses instead to take from others, you should know that he will be made to repay after death, being enslaved to the one from whom he took.

סז. מִי שֶׁנּוֹתֵן צְדָקָה, אַף עַל פִּי כֵן יָכוֹל לִהְיוֹת שֶׁיֵּרֵד מִנְּכָסָיו.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Even by giving charity a person has no guarantee that he won’t become impoverished.

סח. כָּל הַמַּעֲלִים עֵינָיו מִן הַצְּדָקָה, כְּאִלּוּ עוֹבֵד עֲבוֹדָה זָרָה.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

When someone closes his eyes to giving charity, it is as if he worships idolatry.

סט. הַגּוֹזֵז נְכָסָיו, נִצּוֹל מִדִּינָהּ שֶׁל גֵיהִנֹּם.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

A person who trims his wealth to give charity is spared from the judgment of hell.

ע. אֲפִלּוּ עָנִי יִתֵּן צְדָקָה, וְאֵין מַרְאִין לוֹ סִימָנֵי עֲנִיּוּת.

The aleph bet book, translated by Moshe Mykoff. New York: Breslov Research Institute, 1986

Even a poor person should give charity. The signs of poverty will then no longer be his lot.