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Sefer HaMiddot, Immoral Behavior, Part I

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א. מִי שֶׁמְּהַרְהֵר בְּבַת אֵל נֵכָר, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה בָּנָיו לא יִהְיוּ לוֹמְדִים.

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

A man’s thoughts for a non-Jewish woman prevent his sons from becoming Torah scholars.

ב. מַזָּל שֶׁל אִשָּׁה כְּפִי מַזַּל הָאִיש.

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

A woman’s mazal is consistent with her husband’s mazal.

ג. הַזִּוּוּג שֶׁהוּא בְּבַיִת נָאֶה, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִמְשָׁךְ צוּרָה יָפָה וּמְתֻקֶּנֶת לִבְנֵיהֶם.

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

Children conceived in a beautiful home will be beautiful and wholesome in appearance.

ד. הַבָּא עַל הַגּוֹיָה, כְּאִלּוּ נִתְחַתֵּן עִמָּהֶם.

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

Having sexual relations with a non-Jewess is like intermarrying.

ה. הַבְּשָׂמִים מַכְנִיסִין תַּאֲוָה לָאָדָם.

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

Fragrances increase a man’s desire.

ו. בַּת כּהֵן לְיִשְׂרָאֵל וּבַת תַּלְמִיד־חָכָם לְעַם־הָאָרֶץ, אֵין זִוּוּגָם עוֹלֶה יָפֶה: אוֹ אַלְמָנָה, אוֹ גְּרוּשָׁה, אוֹ זֶרַע אֵין לָהּ, אוֹ קוֹבְרָהּ, אוֹ קוֹבַרְתּוֹ, אוֹ מְבִיאָתוֹ לִידֵי עֲנִיּוּת וְלִידֵי גְּנוּת.

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

When the daughter of a Kohen marries a regular Jew (Israelite), or when the daughter of a Torah scholar marries a boor, the marriage will not go well. She will either be widowed or divorced or childless. He will bury her or she will bury him, or else she will bring him to poverty and shame.

ז. זָקֵן מְנָאֵף – אֵין הַדַּעַת סוֹבַלְתּוֹ וְאַחַר־כָּךְ הוּא נִבְזֶה בְּעֵינֵי עַצְמוֹ.

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

It is particularly repugnant when an old man behaves immorally. In the end, he will come to look upon himself with disgust.

ח. שִׁבְעָה כִּמְנֻדִּין, וְאֶחָד מֵהֶם – מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אִשָּׁה.

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

There are seven who are like outcasts, one of them being a man who has no wife.

ט. תַּאֲוַת נִאוּף אֵינוֹ נִרְחָק מִן הָאָדָם אֶלָּא עַל־יְדֵי הַרְחָקַת רְאוּת הָעַיִן וְהַמַּחֲשָׁבָה.

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

A person can distance himself from lustful desire only by distancing the desire from his eyes and thoughts.

י. לא תִּכָּנֵס עִם פִּתּוּיֶיךָ בְּטוֹעֵן וְנִטְעָן, כִּי אֲרִיכַת הַרְגָּשַׁת הַחוֹשֵׁב אֲפִלּוּ לִבְחִינַת הַשּׁוֹלֵל תִּפְעַל הַגְבָּרַת הַחֵפֵץ וְתִתְהַפֵּךְ הָרָצוֹן אֵלָיו.

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

Don’t enter into arguments and counter-arguments with temptation. Allowing an immoral thought to linger in the mind, even in order to reject it, strengthens its attraction and wins one over to it.

יא. עַל־יְדֵי הַיַּיִן רוֹב נִאוּף.

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

Most immoral behavior is brought on by drunkenness.

יב. מִי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ אִשָּׁה, אֵינוֹ אָדָם, וּכְאִלּוּ שׁוֹפֵךְ דָּמִים וּמְמַעֵט אֶת הַדְּמוּת.

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

Without a wife, a man is not a man. It is almost as if he is guilty of shedding innocent blood and diminishing the Divine Image.

יג. מִי שֶׁמְּחַסֵּר עוֹנַת אִשְׁתּוֹ, וְיֵשׁ לָהּ צַעַר מִזֶּה, הוּא נֶעֱנָשׁ בְּמִיתָה.

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

A man who causes his wife grief by neglecting her conjugal rights will be punished with death.

יד. לִפְעָמִים עַל־יְדֵי שִׁדּוּכִים שֶׁאֵינָם הֲגוּנִים זֶה לָזֶה, אֶחָד מֵהֶם מֵת.

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

It sometimes happens that after a couple gets engaged, one of them dies. This is because they were an unsuitable match.

טו. מִי שֶׁנּוֹשֵׂא אִשָּׁה רְשָׁעָה גְּרוּשָׁה – קוֹבַרְתּוֹ.

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

When a man marries a woman who was divorced by her first husband because of her wickedness, she will bury him.

טז. נִאוּף שֶׁל אִשָּׁה מַחֲרִיב אֶת הַבַּיִת.

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

A woman’s licentiousness destroys the home.

יז. כָּל הַמְזַנֶּה, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה אִשְׁתּוֹ רוֹאָה בַּחֲלוֹם טֻמְאוֹת הַנִּקְרָא מָארִין.

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

A man who commits adultery causes his wife to dream of impure things.

יח. כָּל הַנּוֹשֵׂא אִשָּׁה לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם, כְּאִלּוּ יְלָדָהּ.

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

When a man marries a woman for the sake of Heaven, it is as if he gave birth to her.

יט. עַל־יְדֵי זִוּוּג שֶׁאֵינוֹ בִּקְדֻשָּׁה בָּא שְׂרֵפָה.

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

Couples whose marital relations are devoid of holiness are punished by fire.

כ. כָּל הַבָּא דְּבַר עֲבֵרָה לְיָדוֹ וְאֵינוֹ עוֹשְׂאָהּ, עוֹשִׂים לוֹ נֵס.

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

Whoever has an opportunity to sin but refrains will have a miracle performed for his sake.

כא. הַנּוֹשֵׂא אִשָּׁה, שֶׁאֵינָהּ הוֹגֶנֶת לוֹ, כְּאִלּוּ חוֹרְשׁוֹ לְכָל הָעוֹלָם כֻּלּוֹ וְזוֹרְעוֹ מֶלַח, וּכְשֶׁהַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא מַשְׁרֶה שְׁכִינָתוֹ, הוּא מֵעִיד עַל כָּל הַשְּׁבָטִים, וְאֵינוֹ מֵעִיד עָלָיו.

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

When a man marries a woman who is unsuitable for him, it is as if he plowed up the entire earth and planted salt. When the Holy One will rest His Divine Presence upon the Jewish people, confirming the members of each tribe, that man will be left out.

כב. הַמֵּפֵר בְּרִית, כְּאִלּוּ הֵפֵר כָּל הַמִּצְווֹת.

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

Violating the brit is equivalent to violating all the mitzvot.

כג. הַמִּכְנָסַיִם מְכַפְּרִים עַל גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת.

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

Wearing pants atones for the sins of incest.

כד. עַל־יְדֵי נִאוּף נוֹפְלִים הַצַּדִּיקִים.

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

Where there is immorality, the Tzaddikim fall from stature.

כה. עַל־יְדֵי שֶׁמְּקוֹנֵן עַל מִיתַת הַצַּדִּיקִים, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה מְשַׁבֵּר אֶת עַצְמוֹ מֵאַהֲבַת נָשִׁים.

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

By mourning the death of Tzaddikim, one is able to break his love for women.

כו. עַל־יְדֵי הוֹצָאַת זֶרַע לְבַטָּלָה בּוֹרֵא קְלִפּוֹת, הַמִּתְלַבְּשִׁים בִּבְנֵי־אָדָם מִתְנַגְּדִים וְחוֹלְקִים עָלָיו וְעוֹשִׂין לוֹ יִסּוּרִין.

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

By masturbating, a man creates evil forces that clothe themselves in people who oppose and argue with him and cause him suffering.

כז. הַבָּא עַל אֵשֶׁת אִישׁ, סוֹף שֶׁבָּא לִידֵי שְׁפִיכוּת־דָּמִים.

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

A person guilty of adultery will eventually be guilty of shedding innocent blood.

כח. מִי שֶׁהוּא מְבַעֵר נוֹאֲפִים, בָּזֶה הוּא מְתַקֵּן חַטַּאת אֲבוֹתָיו.

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

Whoever rids the world of adulterers rectifies the sins of his ancestors.

כט. מִי שֶׁרוֹצֶה לִשְׁמר אוֹת בְּרִית, יאמַר תָּמִיד אֱמֶת, גַּם יַּעֲשֶׂה חֶסֶד עִם מִי שֶׁלּא יְצַפֶּה לְתַשְׁלוּם גְּמוּלוֹ.

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

Whoever desires to guard the sign of the brit will always tell the truth and act kindly even with someone from whom he expects nothing in return.

ל. לִפְגַם הַבְּרִית יִהְיֶה רוֹדֵף שָׁלוֹם.

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

Anyone guilty of blemishing the brit should make amends by pursuing peace.

לא. עַל־יְדֵי מַחֲלקֶת בָּא לִידֵי פְּגַם הַבְּרִית.

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

Contentiousness brings a person to blemishing the brit.

לב. הִרְהוּרֵי נִאוּף בָּאִים מֵחֲמַת שְׁבִירַת כְּלִי שֶׁל חֶסֶד, וּלְפִי רב הַנִּיצוֹצוֹת הֵן רוֹב הַמַּחְשָׁבוֹת שֶׁל נִאוּף.

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

Immoral thoughts come as a result of [what in Kabbalistic terminology is known as] breaking the vessel of lovingkindness. The amount of immoral thoughts that ensue corresponds to the amount of “sparks” [that fall when the vessel is broken].

לג. מִי שֶׁעוֹבֵר עַל מִשְׁכַּב־זָכָר, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִתְפָּס בִּתְפִיסָה.

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

A person guilty of transgressing the prohibition against homosexual practices will suffer imprisonment.

לד. כֶּסֶף חַי מְסֻגָּל לִגְבוּרַת אֲנָשִׁים.

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

Mercury is a segulah for virility.

לה. מִי שֶׁמְּזַוֵּג עִם אִשְׁתּוֹ בִּשְׁעַת שִׂנְאָה, זֶרַע הַנּוֹלָד הֵן מְשַׁמְּדִין אֶת עַצְמָן.

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

The child conceived at a time when a husband feels hatred for his wife will turn into an apostate.

לו. עַל־יְדֵי נִאוּף בָּאִים לַגָּלוּת תַּחַת יַד שָׂרִים לֵצִים, וְנַעֲשֶׂה בַּעַל־חוֹב.

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

Immoral behavior leads one to be exiled under the rule of derisive rulers. He also falls into debt.

לז. בִּזְכוּת שֶׁהַנְּקֵבוֹת נִזְהָרִים מִנִּאוּף, יָבוֹא מָשִׁיחַ, גַּם לא יִצְטָרֵךְ אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ, וּכְבוֹד הַצַּדִּיקִים נִתְגַּדֵּל.

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

Mashiach will come in the merit of the women having guarded against immorality. At that time, people will not be dependent upon each other [for sustenance], and the glory of the righteous will increase.

לח. נִאוּף בָּא עַל־יְדֵי הִתְעַסְּקוּת בִּשְׁמוֹת הַטֻּמְאָה וּבִכְשָׁפִים.

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

Unholy divination and sorcery lead to immorality.

לט. הַבָּא עַל הַכּוּתִית, מַכְנִיס כָּל הַשֶּׁפַע לַסִּטְרָא אַחֲרָא.

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

A man who has relations with a non-Jewess transfers all blessing over to the Other Side.

מ. עַל־יְדֵי נִאוּף בָּא שִׁכְחָה.

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

Infidelity leads to forgetfulness.

מא. תִּקּוּן לְהוֹצָאַת זֶרַע לְבַטָּלָה – שֶׁיִּשְׁתַּדֵּל לְהַחֲזִיר בְנֵי־אָדָם בִּתְשׁוּבָה.

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

The way to make amends for wasting seed is by striving to bring people back to God in repentance.

מב. מִי שֶׁהוּא נוֹטֵר בְּרִית, אַף־עַל־פִּי שֶׁאֵין לוֹ זְכוּת אָבוֹת, הַקָּדוֹשׁ־בָּרוּךְ־הוּא עוֹשֶׂה לוֹ זְכוּת.

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

The Holy One grants merit to a person who guards the *brit,*even if he has no ancestral merit.

[מג. עַל־יְדֵי מִעוּט [אֱמוּנָה] בָּאִין הִרְהוּרֵי נִאוּף].

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

{43 Immoral thoughts come from a lack of faith.}

מד. בַּעֲווֹן כִּשּׁוּף וְנִאוּף הַצַּדִּיק נִסְתַּלֵּק.

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

The sins of sorcery and immorality cause the Tzaddik to be taken from the world.

מה. בְּנֵי נוֹאֲפִים יִהְיוּ נִצְרָכִים לְכִשּׁוּף.

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

Children born from adultery will have need of sorcery.

מו. בָּנִים הַנּוֹלָדִים עַל־יְדֵי עֵסֶק הַכִּשּׁוּף יִהְיוּ נוֹאֲפִים.

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

Children born through the use of sorcery will be immoral.

מז. הַנּוֹאֲפִים – לָרב הֵם מִתְנַגְּדִים לַצַּדִּיקִים.

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

Most of those guilty of immoral behavior are opponents of the Tzaddikim.

מח. הַמּוֹצִיא זֶרַע לְבַטָּלָה, כְּאִלּוּ הֵבִיא בָּנָיו קָרְבָּן לַעֲבוֹדָה זָרָה גַּם נִדּוֹן בִּסְקִילָה.

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

Masturbating is like sacrificing one’s children to idolatry. Such a person is sentenced to stoning.

מט. עַל־יְדֵי נִאוּף מְאַבֵּד אֶת הַזִּכָּרוֹן.

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

Immoral behavior causes one to lose his memory.

נ. עַל־יְדֵי נִאוּף הַבּוּשָׁה נִסְתַּלֵּק.

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

Immoral behavior causes one to lose his feelings of shame.

נא. עַל־יְדֵי אֲכִילָה גַסָּה בָּא לְנִאוּף.

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

Gluttony leads to immoral behavior.

נב. כְּשֶׁאָדָם עוֹבֵר עֲבֵרָה, אַחַר־כָּךְ הוּא מְצַעֵר מֵחֲמַת הַנִּיצוֹץ שֶׁבּוֹ, אֲבָל כְּשֶׁפָּגַם בַּבְּרִית אֵין מְצַעֵר אַחַר־כָּךְ, כִּי כְּבָר הָלַךְ מִמֶּנּוּ הַנִּיצוֹץ.

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

A person who sins will afterwards feel remorse because of the holy spark within him. The exception is someone who defiles the brit. He feels no remorse afterwards, because the holy spark has already left him.

נג. מִי שֶׁאֵינוֹ מֵפֵר בְּרִית, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה יֵשׁ לוֹ זְכִירָה.

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

Whoever keeps from defiling the brit keeps his memory sound.

נד. הִרְהוּרֵי נִאוּף בָּאִים עַל־יְדֵי שְׁבוּעַת שָׁקֶר.

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

Swearing falsely brings to immoral thoughts.

נה. מִי שֶׁהוּא עָרֵב בְּעַד רָשָׁע, נַעֲשֲֶׂה נוֹאֵף.

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

Whoever stands as a guarantor for a wicked individual turns to immorality.

נו. מִי שֶׁמַּשְׁחִית דַּרְכּוֹ, עַל־יְדֵי זֶה נִכְלֶה פְּרוּטָה מִן הַכִּיס.

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

Whoever destroys his seed becomes penniless.

נז. עַל־יְדֵי גִּלּוּי עֲרָיוֹת בָּא הֲרִיגָה.

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

Incest leads to murder.