A Letter from the Rabbi to his Son
Hear, my son, the instruction of your father and don't forsake the teaching of your mother (Mishlei 1:8). Get into the habit of always speaking calmly to everyone. This will prevent you from anger, a serious character flaw which causes people to sin. As our Rabbis said (Nedarim 22a):Whoever flares up in anger is subject to the discipline of Gehinnom as it is says in (Koheles 12:10), "Cast out anger from your heart, and [by doing this] remove evil from your flesh." "Evil" here means Gehinnom, as we read (Mishlei 16:4): "...and the wicked are destined for the day of evil." Once you have distanced yourself from anger, the quality of humility will enter your heart.This radiant quality is the finest of all admirable traits (see Avodah Zarah 20b), (Mishlei 22:4), "Following humility comes the fear of Hashem."
Through humility you will also come to fear Hashem. It will cause you to always think about (see Avos 3:1) where you came from and where you are going, and that while alive you are only like a maggot and a worm, and the same after death. It will also remind you before Whom you will be judged, the King of Glory, as it is stated (I Melachim 8:27; Mishlei 15:11), "Even the heaven and the heavens of heaven can't contain You" -- "How much less the hearts of people!" It is also written (Yirmeyahu 23:24), "Do I not fill heaven and earth? says Hashem."
When you think about all these things, you will come to fear Hashem who created you, and you will protect yourself from sinning and therefore be happy with whatever happens to you. Also, when you act humbly and modestly before everyone, and are afraid of Hashem and of sin, the radiance of His glory and the spirit of the Shechina will rest upon you, and you will live the life of the World-to-Come!
And now, my son, understand and observe that whoever feels that he is greater than others is rebelling against the Kingship of Hashem, because he is adorning himself with His garments, as it is written (Tehillim 93:1), "Hashem reigns, He wears clothes of pride." Why should one feel proud? Is it because of wealth? Hashem makes one poor or rich (I Shmuel 2:7). Is it because of honor? It belongs to Hashem, as we read (I Divrei Hayamim 29:12), "Wealth and honor come from You." So how could one adorn himself with Hashem's honor? And one who is proud of his wisdom surely knows that Hashem "takes away the speech of assured men and reasoning from the sages" (Iyov 12:20)!? So we see that everyone is the same before Hashem, since with His anger He lowers the proud and when He wishes He raises the low. So lower yourself and Hashem will lift you up!
Therefore, I will now explain to you how to always behave humbly. Speak gently at all times, with your head bowed, your eyes looking down to the ground and your heart focusing on Hashem. Don't look at the face of the person to whom you are speaking. Consider everyone as greater than yourself. If he is wise or rich, you should give him respect. If he is poor and you are richer -- or wiser -- than he, consider yourself to be more guilty than he, and that he is more worthy than you, since when he sins it is through error, while yours is deliberate and you should know better!
In all your actions, words and thoughts, always regard yourself as standing before Hashem, with His Shechinah above you, for His glory fills the whole world. Speak with fear and awe, as a slave standing before his master. Act with restraint in front of everyone. When someone calls you, don't answer loudly, but gently and softly, as one who stands before his master.
Torah should always be learned diligently, so you will be able to fulfill it's commands. When you arise from your learning reflect carefully on what you have studied, in order to see what in it that you can be put into practice. Examine your actions every morning and evening, and in this way every one of your days will be spent in teshuvah (repentance).
Concentrate on your prayers by removing all worldly concerns from your heart. Prepare your heart before Hashem, purify your thoughts and think about what you are going to say. If you follow this in all your daily actions, you will not come to sin. This way everything you do will be proper, and your prayer will be pure, clear, clean, devout and acceptable to Hashem, as it is written (Tehillim 10:17), "When their heart is directed to You, listen to them."
Read this letter at least once a week and neglect none of it. Fulfill it, and in so doing, walk with it forever in the ways of Hashem, may he be blessed,so that you will succeed in all your ways. Thus you will succeed and merit the World to Come which lies hidden away for the righteous. Every day that you shall read this letter, heaven shall answer your heart's desires. Amen, Sela!
Through humility you will also come to fear Hashem. It will cause you to always think about (see Avos 3:1) where you came from and where you are going, and that while alive you are only like a maggot and a worm, and the same after death. It will also remind you before Whom you will be judged, the King of Glory, as it is stated (I Melachim 8:27; Mishlei 15:11), "Even the heaven and the heavens of heaven can't contain You" -- "How much less the hearts of people!" It is also written (Yirmeyahu 23:24), "Do I not fill heaven and earth? says Hashem."
When you think about all these things, you will come to fear Hashem who created you, and you will protect yourself from sinning and therefore be happy with whatever happens to you. Also, when you act humbly and modestly before everyone, and are afraid of Hashem and of sin, the radiance of His glory and the spirit of the Shechina will rest upon you, and you will live the life of the World-to-Come!
And now, my son, understand and observe that whoever feels that he is greater than others is rebelling against the Kingship of Hashem, because he is adorning himself with His garments, as it is written (Tehillim 93:1), "Hashem reigns, He wears clothes of pride." Why should one feel proud? Is it because of wealth? Hashem makes one poor or rich (I Shmuel 2:7). Is it because of honor? It belongs to Hashem, as we read (I Divrei Hayamim 29:12), "Wealth and honor come from You." So how could one adorn himself with Hashem's honor? And one who is proud of his wisdom surely knows that Hashem "takes away the speech of assured men and reasoning from the sages" (Iyov 12:20)!? So we see that everyone is the same before Hashem, since with His anger He lowers the proud and when He wishes He raises the low. So lower yourself and Hashem will lift you up!
Therefore, I will now explain to you how to always behave humbly. Speak gently at all times, with your head bowed, your eyes looking down to the ground and your heart focusing on Hashem. Don't look at the face of the person to whom you are speaking. Consider everyone as greater than yourself. If he is wise or rich, you should give him respect. If he is poor and you are richer -- or wiser -- than he, consider yourself to be more guilty than he, and that he is more worthy than you, since when he sins it is through error, while yours is deliberate and you should know better!
In all your actions, words and thoughts, always regard yourself as standing before Hashem, with His Shechinah above you, for His glory fills the whole world. Speak with fear and awe, as a slave standing before his master. Act with restraint in front of everyone. When someone calls you, don't answer loudly, but gently and softly, as one who stands before his master.
Torah should always be learned diligently, so you will be able to fulfill it's commands. When you arise from your learning reflect carefully on what you have studied, in order to see what in it that you can be put into practice. Examine your actions every morning and evening, and in this way every one of your days will be spent in teshuvah (repentance).
Concentrate on your prayers by removing all worldly concerns from your heart. Prepare your heart before Hashem, purify your thoughts and think about what you are going to say. If you follow this in all your daily actions, you will not come to sin. This way everything you do will be proper, and your prayer will be pure, clear, clean, devout and acceptable to Hashem, as it is written (Tehillim 10:17), "When their heart is directed to You, listen to them."
Read this letter at least once a week and neglect none of it. Fulfill it, and in so doing, walk with it forever in the ways of Hashem, may he be blessed,so that you will succeed in all your ways. Thus you will succeed and merit the World to Come which lies hidden away for the righteous. Every day that you shall read this letter, heaven shall answer your heart's desires. Amen, Sela!
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Rabbi Moshe ben Nachman
(1194-1270)
(1194-1270)
Learn more about Nachmanides
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Moses ben Nachman - Nachmanides - The Ramban was born in Gerona, Spain in 1195. Though a physician by trade, he became known as one of the great Torah and Talmudic scholars of his or any other age. A brilliant student, at the age of sixteen he began his writings on rabbinical law and was touted as a Talmudical authority. His commentaries on the five books of Moses are known for not only brilliant insight but a deep understanding of the "mysteries" of the Bible. Through his studies of the traditions of Kaballah, Nachmanides was able to reach conclusions about the origins of the universe, making statements that mirror only recent scientific discoveries and theories like the Big Bang theory.
Now with this creation, which was like a very small point having no substance, everything in the heavens and on the earth was created.*
Nachmanides became known to the world when a Jewish man named Pablo Christiani converted to Catholicism and in 1263 was asked to represent the Church in a great religious debate over the validity of Judaism versus the Catholic faith. Presided over by King James I of Spain, what has become known as the Barcelona Disputation provided the moment for Nachmanides fame. The Ramban did not wish to take part for fear of retribution in the age of the Spanish Inquisition, but the King offered him protection and the opportunity to vigorously debate without prejudice. The main focus of the debate was of course, the
validity of Jesus Christ as the Messiah promised to Israel and the world. When the great debate ended Nachmanides was declared the winner and received 300 gold coins from the king - and a charge of blasphemy from the Church.
Forced to flee, Nachmanides left Spain and decided to move to Jerusalem. The Holy Land had been ravaged by the Crusades and the once flowering countryside of milk and honey ruined and left uncultivated. The City itself was even bereft of a large Jewish population, though there was a remnant. Nachmanides promptly built a synagogue and yeshiva (religious school) in Jerusalem. Jews from the surrounding area came to the temple and school and a revival began with Jews moving back into the city. Nachmanides left Jerusalem for Acco a year later, leading a congregation there, as well. The great Torah Sage is believed to have passed in this city in 1270.
* Commentaries on Genesis 1:1 Ramban on the Torah, translated by Charles Chavel, Shilo Publishing House, Inc.
Sources: Jewish Encyclopedia
and AISH
Now with this creation, which was like a very small point having no substance, everything in the heavens and on the earth was created.*
Nachmanides became known to the world when a Jewish man named Pablo Christiani converted to Catholicism and in 1263 was asked to represent the Church in a great religious debate over the validity of Judaism versus the Catholic faith. Presided over by King James I of Spain, what has become known as the Barcelona Disputation provided the moment for Nachmanides fame. The Ramban did not wish to take part for fear of retribution in the age of the Spanish Inquisition, but the King offered him protection and the opportunity to vigorously debate without prejudice. The main focus of the debate was of course, the
validity of Jesus Christ as the Messiah promised to Israel and the world. When the great debate ended Nachmanides was declared the winner and received 300 gold coins from the king - and a charge of blasphemy from the Church.
Forced to flee, Nachmanides left Spain and decided to move to Jerusalem. The Holy Land had been ravaged by the Crusades and the once flowering countryside of milk and honey ruined and left uncultivated. The City itself was even bereft of a large Jewish population, though there was a remnant. Nachmanides promptly built a synagogue and yeshiva (religious school) in Jerusalem. Jews from the surrounding area came to the temple and school and a revival began with Jews moving back into the city. Nachmanides left Jerusalem for Acco a year later, leading a congregation there, as well. The great Torah Sage is believed to have passed in this city in 1270.
* Commentaries on Genesis 1:1 Ramban on the Torah, translated by Charles Chavel, Shilo Publishing House, Inc.
Sources: Jewish Encyclopedia
and AISH
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