Earning a Living — Earning a Life

Essay #13

For the meantime, we have to continue with quotes from “The Aleph-Bet Book.”

61) Immorality brings poverty.

62) A Tzaddik who has no luck when it comes to earning a living will sometimes have opponents sent against him. He is then given the income which was coming to them.

63) A person who works in construction puts himself in danger.

64) Modest behavior is particularly propitious for gaining wealth.

65) Once coveting and envy spread in the world, people began interfering with the livelihood of others.

66-68)A person's livelihood diminishes when he judges others unfavorably, when he dilutes the alcoholic beverages [which he sells} or when he follows the advice of a person who persuades him [to turn against God].

69) When a person sins out of spite, he becomes impoverished though no one will believe that he is poor.

70) One who makes use of unholy names and magic becomes poor.

71) When consumption, a disease which weakens the body, affects a member of one's family, it is a sign of impending poverty.

72) When a man suffers some embarrassment, it is a sign that he will soon become poor.

73) When a person despises money, Heaven shows him the [right] path to follow.

74) Occasionally, a person who deserves to die a death of Divine extermination suffers poverty instead.

75) A poor [man1 is confused like a drunkard.

76) Fraudulent practices make one poor.

77) A person who acts hastily, without presence of mind, falls into debt.

78) Ruining a man's means of income is akin to killing him.

79) A person should always maintain possession of his inheritance, never selling or exchanging it.

80) One who lusts for money falls from his [spiritual1level.

81) Atheism leads to poverty.

82) A person who is poor should work diligently to provide sustenance for those who seek the service of God.

83) Faith is beneficial for one's livelihood.

84) Soreness of the eyes is a sign of poverty.

85) When a person is humble, his livestock multiplies.

86) By giving charity, a person merits earning his living.

87) When a person gives money to sorcerers, he will have to earn his living by working in non-Jewish homes.

88) The words of the Tzaddik bring sustenance.

89) When a person is depressed, his income suffers.

90) Give charity and you will prosper.

91) Too much sleep makes one poor.

92) One who is diligent in Torah and charity merits wealth.

93) Honor your wife and you will become rich.

94) The blessing in a man's house comes only because of the honor he has shown his wife.

95) When a person takes usury for lending money, the value of his property plummets and never recovers.

96) Forbidding the singing of frivolous songs brings down prices.

97) A person without a livelihood should occupy himself with Torah study and then pray for sustenance. His prayers will certainly be accepted.

98) A person should never sell the first [property] he ever purchased.

99) One who takes away his friends means of income is considered wicked.

100) Were it not that he has grown haughty, a person would never have the audacity to harm his neighbor.

This last quote shares the thoughts of the end of this week’s Torah reading in that the Generation of the Flood were very arrogant and sought control over everything they had come into contact with. So, the first lesson of this year’s Torah reading is humility and humbleness, as a way of maintaining good relationships with neighbors, employers, employees, and our own households. With peace between neighbors we can make it.

Have a good week, Chaim Kramer