Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, the Rambam takes us to the next level of our avodah, showing how a talmid chacham must carry himself in every single aspect of his daily life. While the previous chapters focused on refining our inner middos and maintaining our physical health, we now learn how a true Torah Sage must stand out through his refined actions. The way he eats, drinks, speaks, walks, dresses, and conducts his business must all reflect a beautiful kiddush Hashem.
We will see how the Rambam guides us to elevate the most mundane physical acts into holy service. By avoiding the self-indulgent ways of the world and adopting a path of modesty and self-control, a person's entire physical existence becomes a vessel for yiras Shamayim and the knowledge of Hashem.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
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הַנְהָגַת הֶחָכָם בְּמַאֲכָלוֹ וּבְמַשְׁקֵהוּHalacha 1 · The Conduct of a Torah Sage in Eating and Drinking Moderately
כְּשֵׁםJust asשֶׁהֶחָכָםthat the wise manנִכָּרis recognizedבְּחָכְמָתוֹby his wisdomוּבְדֵעוֹתָיוand by his temperamentsוְהוּאand heמֻבְדָּלis distinguishedבָּהֶםby themמִשְּׁאָרfrom the rest ofהָעָם.the peopleכָּךְsoצָרִיךְmustשֶׁיִּהְיֶהhe beנִכָּרrecognizedבְּמַעֲשָׂיוin his actionsבְּמַאֲכָלוֹin his eatingוּבְמַשְׁקֵהוּand in his drinkingוּבִבְעִילָתוֹand in his intimate relationsוּבַעֲשִׂיַּתand in the performing ofצְרָכָיוhis bodily needsוּבְדִבּוּרוֹand in his speechוּבְהִלּוּכוֹand in his walkingוּבְמַלְבּוּשׁוֹand in his dressוּבְכִלְכּוּלand in the management ofדְּבָרָיוhis affairsוּבְמַשָּׂאוֹand in his buyingוּבְמַתָּנוֹ.and in his sellingוְיִהְיוּand should beכָּלall ofהַמַּעֲשִׂיםthe actionsהָאֵלּוּtheseנָאִיםbecomingוּמְתֻקָּנִיםand properבְּיוֹתֵר.exceedinglyכֵּיצַד.How soתַּלְמִידA TorahחָכָםSageלֹאnotיִהְיֶהshould beגַּרְגְּרָןa gluttonאֶלָּאratherאוֹכֵלhe should eatמַאֲכָלfoodהָרָאוּיthat is fittingלְהַבְרוֹתto keep healthyגּוּפוֹ.his bodyוְלֹאand notיֹאכַלhe should eatמִמֶּנּוּof itאֲכִילָהan eatingגַּסָּה.excessiveוְלֹאand notיְהֵאshould he beרוֹדֵףpursuingלְמַלְּאֹתto fillבִּטְנוֹhis stomachכְּאֵלּוּlike thoseשֶׁמִּתְמַלְּאִיןwho stuff themselvesמִמַּאֲכָלwith foodוּמִשְׁתֶּהand drinkעַדuntilשֶׁתִּפַּחswellsכְּרֵסָם.their bellyוַעֲלֵיהֶםand about themמְפֹרָשׁit is explainedבַּקַּבָּלָהin the TraditionמלאכיMalachiב2ג3"וְזֵרִיתִיAnd I will spreadפֶרֶשׁdungעַלuponפְּנֵיכֶם".your facesאָמְרוּSaidחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesאֵלּוּthese areבְּנֵיthe peopleאָדָם·שֶׁאוֹכְלִיןwho eatוְשׁוֹתִיןand drinkוְעוֹשִׂיןand makeכָּלall ofיְמֵיהֶםtheir daysכְּחַגִּים.like festivalsוְהֵםand theyהָאוֹמְרִיםare the ones who sayישעיהIsaiahכב22יג13"אָכוֹלEatוְשָׁתֹהand drinkכִּיforמָחָרtomorrowנָמוּת".we dieוְזֶהוּAnd this isמַאֲכַלthe food ofהָרְשָׁעִים.the wickedוְשֻׁלְחָנוֹתand tablesאֵלּוּtheseהֵםtheyשֶׁגִּנָּהare that censuredהַכָּתוּבthe verseוְאָמַרand saidישעיהIsaiahכח28ח8"כִּיForכָּלallשֻׁלְחָנוֹתtablesמָלְאוּare full ofקִיאvomitצֹאָהexcrementבְּלִיwithoutמָקוֹם".roomאֲבָלButהֶחָכָםthe wise manאֵינוֹdoes notאוֹכֵלeatאֶלָּאexceptתַּבְשִׁילdishאֶחָדoneאוֹorשְׁנַיִםtwoוְאוֹכֵלand he eatsמִמֶּנּוּfrom itכְּדֵיenough forחַיָּיוhis sustenanceוְדַּיּוֹ.and that is sufficient for himהוּאHeשֶׁאָמַרis the one of whom saidשְׁלֹמֹהShlomoמשליProverbsיג13כה25"צַדִּיקA righteous manאֹכֵלeatsלְשֹׂבַעto satisfyנַפְשׁוֹ":his soul
The Rambam outlines how a Torah Sage must distinguish himself through refined character traits and moderate eating habits, avoiding the gluttony of the wicked.
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הַנְהָגַת הֶחָכָם בַּאֲכִילָתוֹ וּבִסְעֻדּוֹתָיוHalacha 2 · The Proper Conduct of a Wise Man Regarding Eating and Social Meals
כְּשֶׁהֶחָכָםWhen the wise manאוֹכֵלeatsמְעַטthe littleזֶהthisהָרָאוּיwhich is fittingלוֹfor himלֹאnotיֹאכְלֶנּוּshould he eat itאֶלָּאexceptבְּבֵיתוֹin his houseעַלatשֻׁלְחָנוֹ.his tableוְלֹאand notיֹאכַלshould he eatבַּחֲנוּתin a storeוְלֹאand notבַּשּׁוּקin the marketplaceאֶלָּאunlessמִפְּנֵיbecause ofצֹרֶךְa needגָּדוֹל.greatכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִתְגַּנֶּהhe will be viewed with disrespectבִּפְנֵיbeforeהַבְּרִיּוֹת.peopleוְלֹאand notיֹאכַלshould he eatאֵצֶלwithעַמֵּיthe unlearnedהָאָרֶץof the landוְלֹאand notעַלatאוֹתָןthoseהַשֻּׁלְחָנוֹתtablesהַמְּלֵאִיםthat are filled withקִיאvomitצוֹאָה.excrementוְלֹאand notיַרְבֶּהshould he multiplyסְעֻדּוֹתָיוhis mealsבְּכָלin everyמָקוֹםplaceוַאֲפִלּוּand evenעִםwithהַחֲכָמִים.the wise menוְלֹאand notיֹאכַלshould he eatבִּסְעֻדּוֹתat mealsשֶׁיֵּשׁthat haveבָּהֶןin themקִבּוּץa gatheringהַרְבֵּה.largeוְאֵיןand it is notרָאוּיfittingלוֹfor himלֶאֱכלto eatאֶלָּאexceptבִּסְעֻדָּהat a mealשֶׁלofמִצְוָהa mitzvahבִּלְבַדonlyכְּגוֹןsuch asסְעֻדַּתthe meal ofאֵרוּסִיןbetrothalוְנִשּׂוּאִין.and marriageוְהוּאand thatשֶׁיִּהְיֶהis when it isתַּלְמִידa Torahחָכָםscholarשֶׁנָּשָׂאwho marriedבַּתthe daughter ofתַּלְמִידa Torahחָכָם.scholarוְהַצַּדִּיקִיםand the righteousוְהַחֲסִידִיםand the piousהָרִאשׁוֹנִיםof oldלֹאnotאָכְלוּdid they eatמִסְּעֻדָּהfrom a mealשֶׁאֵינָהּthat was notשֶׁלָּהֶן:their own
This halacha outlines the refined eating habits of a wise man, emphasizing privacy, avoiding vulgar environments, and refraining from eating at social gatherings unless they are mitzvah celebrations.
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הַנְהָגַת הֶחָכָם בִּשְׁתִיַּת יַיִן וְאִסּוּר שִׁכְרוּתHalacha 3 · The Proper Conduct of a Wise Man Regarding Wine and the Prohibition of Drunkenness
כְּשֶׁהֶחָכָםWhen the wise manשׁוֹתֶהdrinksיַיִןwineאֵינוֹhe does notשׁוֹתֶהdrinkאֶלָּאexceptכְּדֵיin orderלִשְׁרוֹתto softenאֲכִילָהthe foodשֶׁבְּמֵעָיו.that is in his stomachוְכָלand anyoneהַמִּשְׁתַּכֵּרwho becomes drunkהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisחוֹטֵאis a sinnerוּמְגֻנֶּהand disgracefulוּמַפְסִידand losesחָכְמָתוֹ.his wisdomוְאִםand ifנִשְׁתַּכֵּרhe became drunkבִּפְנֵיin front ofעַמֵּיthe commonהָאָרֶץpeopleהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthisחִלֵּלdesecratedאֶת—הַשֵּׁם.the Nameוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלִשְׁתּוֹתto drinkיַיִןwineבַּצָּהֳרַיִםin the afternoonוַאֲפִלּוּand evenמְעַטa littleאֶלָּאunlessאִם·הָיָהit wasבִּכְלַלas part ofהָאֲכִילָה.the mealשֶׁהַשְּׁתִיָּהfor drinkingשֶׁהִיאthat isבִּכְלַלas part ofהָאֲכִילָהthe mealאֵינָהּdoes notמְשַׁכֶּרֶת.intoxicateוְאֵיןand we are notנִזְהָרִיןcarefulאֶלָּאexceptמִיַּיִןfrom wineשֶׁלְּאַחַרthat is afterהַמָּזוֹן:the food
This halacha outlines the Rambam's guidance on the proper measure of drinking wine for a Torah scholar and the severe spiritual and social consequences of intoxication.
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הַנְהָגַת קְדֻשָּׁה וּצְנִיעוּת בְּחַיֵּי הָאִישׁוּתHalacha 4 · Conduct of Holiness and Modesty in Marital Relations
אַףEvenעַל·פִּיthoughשֶׁאִשְׁתּוֹthat the wifeשֶׁלofאָדָםa manמֻתֶּרֶתis permittedלוֹto himתָּמִיד.alwaysרָאוּיit is fittingלוֹfor himלְתַלְמִידfor a discipleחָכָםof a Sageשֶׁיַּנְהִיגthat he conductעַצְמוֹhimselfבִּקְדֻשָּׁהwith holinessוְלֹאand notיְהֵאhe should beמָצוּיfrequentאֵצֶלwithאִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeכְּתַרְנְגוֹלlike a roosterאֶלָּאratherמִלֵּילֵיfrom the nights ofשַׁבָּתShabbosלְלֵילֵיto the nights ofשַׁבָּתShabbosאִםifיֵשׁthere isבּוֹin himכֹּחַ.strengthוּכְשֶׁהוּאand when heמְסַפֵּרconversethעִמָּהּwith herלֹאnotיְסַפֵּרhe should converseבִּתְחִלַּתat the beginning ofהַלַּיְלָהthe nightכְּשֶׁהוּאwhen he isשָׂבֵעַsatedוּבִטְנוֹand his bellyמָלֵא.is fullוְלֹאand notבְּסוֹףat the end ofהַלַּיְלָהthe nightכְּשֶׁהוּאwhen he isרָעֵב.hungryאֶלָּאratherבְּאֶמְצַעin the middle ofהַלַּיְלָהthe nightכְּשֶׁיִּתְעַכֵּלwhen is digestedהַמָּזוֹןthe foodשֶׁבְּמֵעָיו.that is in his innardsוְלֹאand notיָקֵלhe should make lightבְּרֹאשׁוֹof his headבְּיוֹתֵרexcessivelyוְלֹאand notיְנַבֵּלhe should make vulgarאֶת—פִּיוhis mouthבְּדִבְרֵיwith words ofהֲבַאיnonsenseוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבֵּינוֹbetween himלְבֵינָהּ.and herהֲרֵיbeholdהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysבְּקַבָּלָהin TraditionמַגִּידHe declaresלְאָדָםto manמַהwhatשֵּׂחוֹ.is his conversationאָמְרוּthey saidחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesאֲפִלּוּevenשִׂיחָהconversationקַלָּהlightשֶׁבֵּיןthat is betweenאָדָםa manלְאִשְׁתּוֹand his wifeעָתִידis destinedלִתֵּןto giveעָלֶיהָupon itאֶת—הַדִּין.the judgmentוְלֹאand notיִהְיוּshould they beשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themלֹאnotשִׁכּוֹרִיםdrunkוְלֹאand notעַצְלָנִיםlazyוְלֹאand notעַצְבָּנִים,angryוְלֹאand notאֶחָדoneמֵהֶן.of themוְלֹאand notתִּהְיֶהshould she beיְשֵׁנָה.sleepingוְלֹאand notיֶאֱנֹסshould he forceאוֹתָהּherוְהִיאand sheאֵינָהּis notרוֹצָהwillingאֶלָּאratherבִּרְצוֹןwith the consent ofשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themוּבְשִׂמְחָתָם.and with their joyיְסַפֵּרhe should converseוְיִשְׂחַקand playמְעַטa littleעִמָּהּwith herכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁתִּתְיַשֵּׁבthat should be at easeנַפְשָׁהּher soulוְיִבְעלand he should cohabitבְּבוּשָׁהwith modestyוְלֹאand notבְּעַזּוּתwith boldnessוְיִפְרשׁand he should withdrawמִיָּד:immediately
The Rambam outlines the proper, holy, and respectful manner in which a Torah scholar should conduct marital relations with his wife.
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הַנְהָגַת הָאָדָם בְּאִישׁוּתוֹ וְהַשְׁפָּעָתָהּ עַל בָּנָיוHalacha 5 · The Influence of Holy Conduct During Marital Relations on One's Children
כָּלEveryהַנּוֹהֵגone who conductsמִנְהָגconductזֶהthisלֹאnotדַּיenoughלוֹfor himשֶׁקִּדֵּשׁthat he sanctifiedנַפְשׁוֹhis soulוְטִהֵרand purifiedעַצְמוֹhimselfוְתִקֵּןand correctedדֵּעוֹתָיוhis character traitsאֶלָּאbutשֶׁאִםthat ifהָיוּthere wereלוֹto himבָּנִיםchildrenיִהְיוּthey will beנָאִיםhandsomeוּבַיְשָׁנִיםand modestרְאוּיִיןworthyלְחָכְמָהof wisdomוְלַחֲסִידוּת.and of pietyוְכָלand everyהַנּוֹהֵגone who conductsבְּמִנְהֲגוֹתin the customsשְׁאָרof the restהָעָםof the peopleהַהוֹלְכִיםwho walkבַּחשֶׁךְin the darknessיִהְיוּthere will beלוֹto himבָּנִיםchildrenכְּמוֹlikeאוֹתָםthoseהָעָם:people
The Rambam explains that holy and modest conduct during intimacy leads to children of high spiritual and moral character.
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הַנְהָגַת הַצְּנִיעוּת בְּבֵית הַכִּסֵּא וְכִסּוּי הָרֹאשׁHalacha 6 · The Practice of Modesty in the Latrine and Covering the Head
צְנִיעוּתModestyגְּדוֹלָהgreatנוֹהֲגִיםconductתַּלְמִידֵיdisciples ofחֲכָמִיםSagesבְּעַצְמָן.themselvesלֹאnotיִתְבַּזּוּthey demeanוְלֹאand notיִתְגַּלּוּthey bareרֹאשָׁןtheir headוְלֹאand notגּוּפָן.their bodyוַאֲפִלּוּand evenבְּשָׁעָהat the timeשֶׁיִּכָּנֵסthat he entersלְבֵיתto the house ofהַכִּסֵּאthe seatיְהֵאhe should beצָנוּעַmodestוְלֹאand notיְגַלֶּהhe should uncoverבְּגָדָיוhis garmentsעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּשֵׁב.he sitsוְלֹאand notיְקַנֵּחַhe should wipeבְּיָמִין.with the rightוְיִתְרַחֵקand he should distance himselfמִכָּלfrom everyאָדָם.manוְיִכָּנֵסand he should enterחֶדֶרa chamberלִפְנִיםwithinמֵחֶדֶרa chamberמְעָרָהa caveלִפְנִיםwithinמִן·הַמְּעָרָהthe caveוְנִפְנֶה.and relieve himselfוְאִםand ifנִפְנֶהhe relieves himselfאֲחוֹרֵיbehindהַגָּדֵרthe fenceיִתְרַחֵקhe should distance himselfכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִשְׁמַעhe will hearחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowקוֹלוֹhis soundאִםifנִתְעַטֵּשׁ.he sneezesוְאִםand ifנִפְנֶהhe relieves himselfבְּבִקְעָהin a valleyיַרְחִיקhe should distance himselfכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִרְאֶהhe will seeחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowפֵּרוּעוֹ.his baringוְלֹאand notיְדַבֵּרhe should speakכְּשֶׁהוּאwhen heנִפְנֶהrelieves himselfאֲפִלּוּevenלְצֹרֶךְfor a needגָּדוֹל.greatוּכְדֶרֶךְand like the wayשֶׁנּוֹהֵגthat he conductsצְנִיעוּתmodestyבַּיּוֹםby dayבְּבֵיתin the house ofהַכִּסֵּאthe seatכָּךְsoנוֹהֵגhe conductsבַּלַּיְלָה.by nightוּלְעוֹלָםand alwaysיְלַמֵּדhe should trainאָדָםa manעַצְמוֹhimselfלְהִפָּנוֹתto relieve himselfשַׁחֲרִיתmorningוְעַרְבִיתand eveningבִּלְבַדonlyכְּדֵיsoשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִתְרַחֵק:he must distance himself
This halacha outlines the strict standards of personal modesty and privacy expected of Torah scholars, particularly regarding their conduct in the latrine.
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הַנְהָגַת תַּלְמִיד חָכָם בְּדִבּוּרוֹ וּבְמִדּוֹתָיו הַחֶבְרָתִיּוֹתHalacha 7 · The Proper Conduct of a Torah Sage in Speech and Social Relations
תַּלְמִידA discipleחָכָםof a Sageלֹאnotיְהֵאshould beצוֹעֵקshoutingוְצוֹוֵחַand shriekingבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofדִּבּוּרוֹhis speakingכִּבְהֵמוֹתlike animalsוְחַיּוֹת.and wild beastsוְלֹאand notיַגְבִּיהַּshould he raiseקוֹלוֹhis voiceבְּיוֹתֵרexcessivelyאֶלָּאratherדִּבּוּרוֹhis speakingבְּנַחַתshould be gentlyעִםwithכָּלallהַבְּרִיּוֹת.peopleוּכְשֶׁיְּדַבֵּרand when he speaksבְּנַחַתgentlyיִזָּהֵרhe should take careשֶׁלֹּאthat notיִתְרַחֵקhe distances himselfעַדuntilשֶׁיֵּרָאֶהit appearsכְּדִבְרֵיlike the words ofגַּסֵּיhaughtyהָרוּחַ.of spiritוּמַקְדִּיםand he initiatesשָׁלוֹםgreetingלְכָלto everyהָאָדָםmanכְּדֵיsoשֶׁתְּהֵאthat will beרוּחָןtheir spiritנוֹחָהpleasedהֵימֶנּוּ.with himוְדָןand he judgesאֶת—כָּלeveryהָאָדָםmanלְכַףto the scale ofזְכוּת.meritמְסַפֵּרhe speaksבְּשֶׁבַחof the praise ofחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowוְלֹאand notבִּגְנוּתוֹof his shameכְּלָל.at allאוֹהֵבlovingשָׁלוֹםpeaceוְרוֹדֵףand pursuingשָׁלוֹם.peaceאִםifרוֹאֶהhe seesשֶׁדְּבָרָיוthat his wordsמוֹעִילִיםare effectiveוְנִשְׁמָעִיםand heardאוֹמֵרhe speaksוְאִםand ifלָאוnotשׁוֹתֵק.he remains silentכֵּיצַד.how soלֹאnotיְרַצֶּהshould he placateחֲבֵרוֹhis fellowבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofכַּעֲסוֹ.his angerוְלֹאand notיִשְׁאַלshould he askלוֹhimעַלaboutנִדְרוֹhis vowבְּשָׁעָהat the hourשֶׁנָּדַרthat he vowedעַדuntilשֶׁתִּתְקָרֵרcools downדַּעְתּוֹhis mindוְיָנוּחַ.and he restsוְלֹאand notיְנַחֲמֶנּוּshould he comfort himבְּשָׁעָהat the hourשֶׁמֵּתוֹthat his deadמֻטָּלis lyingלְפָנָיוbefore himמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁהוּאhe isבָּהוּלdistressedעַדuntilשֶׁיִּקְבְּרֵהוּ.he buries himוְכֵןand soכָּלallכַּיּוֹצֵאsimilarבְּאֵלּוּ.to theseוְלֹאand notיִרְאֶהshould he lookלַחֲבֵרוֹat his fellowבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofקַלְקָלָתוֹhis disgraceאֶלָּאratherיַעֲלִיםhe should hideעֵינָיוhis eyesמִמֶּנּוּ.from himוְלֹאand notיְשַׁנֶּהshould he alterבְּדִבּוּרוֹ.in his speechוְלֹאand notיוֹסִיףshould he addוְלֹאand notיִגְרַעshould he diminishאֶלָּאexceptבְּדִבְרֵיin matters ofשָׁלוֹםpeaceוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶן.to themכְּלָלוֹthe general ruleשֶׁלofדָּבָרthe matterאֵינוֹhe does notמְדַבֵּרspeakאֶלָּאexceptבְּדִבְרֵיin words ofחָכְמָהwisdomאוֹorבִּגְמִילוּתin acts ofחֲסָדִיםkindnessוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶן.to themוְלֹאand notיְסַפֵּרshould he converseעִםwithאִשָּׁהa womanבַּשּׁוּקin the marketplaceוַאֲפִלּוּand even ifהִיאsheאִשְׁתּוֹis his wifeאוֹorאֲחוֹתוֹhis sisterאוֹorבִּתּוֹ:his daughter
This halacha outlines the refined speech, humility, and social sensitivity expected of a Torah scholar in his daily interactions.
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הַנְהָגַת תַּלְמִיד חָכָם בַּהֲלִיכָתוֹ בַּשּׁוּקHalacha 8 · The Proper Gait and Demeanor of a Torah Scholar in Public
לֹאNotיֵלֵךְshall walkתַּלְמִידa discipleחָכָםof a Sageבְּקוֹמָהwith a statureזְקוּפָהerectוְגָרוֹןand a neckנָטוּיoutstretchedכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidישעיהYeshayahuג3טז16"וַתֵּלַכְנָה"and they walkנְטוּיוֹתwith outstretchedגָּרוֹןnecksוּמְשַׂקְּרוֹתand with oglingעֵינָיִם".eyes"וְלֹאand notיְהַלֵּךְshall he walkעָקֵבheelבְּצַדbesideגּוּדָלtoeבְּנַחַתgentlyכְּמוֹlikeהַנָּשִׁיםthe womenוְגַסֵּיand the haughtyהָרוּחַof spiritכָּעִנְיָןlike the matterשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidישעיהYeshayahuג3טז16"הָלוֹךְ"walkingוְטָפֹףand mincingתֵּלַכְנָהthey walkוּבְרַגְלֵיהֶםand with their feetתְּעַכַּסְנָה".they make a tinkling"וְלֹאand notיָרוּץshall he runבִּרְשׁוּתin the domainהָרַבִּיםof the publicכְּמִנְהַגlike the customמְשֻׁגָּעִים.of madmenוְלֹאand notיִכְפֹּףshall he bendקוֹמָתוֹhis statureכְּבַעֲלֵיlike those withחֲטוֹטֶרֶת.a hunchbackאֶלָּאratherמִסְתַּכֵּלlookingלְמַטָּהdownwardכְּמוֹlikeשֶׁהוּאthat heעוֹמֵדstandsבִּתְפִלָּה.in prayerוּמְהַלֵּךְand walkingבַּשּׁוּקin the marketplaceכְּאָדָםlike a personשֶׁהוּאwho isטָרוּדpreoccupiedבַּעֲסָקָיו.with his businessגַּםalsoמִמַּהֲלָכוֹfrom the gaitשֶׁלofאָדָםa personנִכָּרit is recognizableאִםifחָכָםa wise manוּבַעַלand a masterדֵּעָהof understandingהוּאhe isאוֹorשׁוֹטֶהa foolוְסָכָל.and a simpletonוְכֵןand soאָמַרsaidשְׁלֹמֹהShlomoבְּחָכְמָתוֹin his wisdomקהלתKohelesי10ג3"וְגַם"and alsoבַּדֶּרֶךְon the wayכְּשֶׁסָּכָלwhen a foolהֹלֵךְwalksלִבּוֹhis heartחָסֵרlacksוְאָמַרand he saysלַכֹּלto allסָכָלa foolהוּא".he is"הוּאheמוֹדִיעַinformsלַכֹּלto allעַלaboutעַצְמוֹhimselfשֶׁהוּאthat heסָכָל:is a fool
This halacha outlines the dignified and humble manner in which a Torah scholar must walk, avoiding both arrogance and undignified behavior.
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מַלְבּוּשׁ וְהַנְהָגַת תַּלְמִיד חָכָם בְּבִגְדּוֹ וּבִיצִיאָתוֹHalacha 9 · The Proper Clothing and Public Demeanor of a Torah Sage
מַלְבּוּשׁThe clothing ofתַּלְמִידa disciple ofחָכָםa Sageמַלְבּוּשׁclothingנָאֶהattractiveוְנָקִי.and cleanוְאָסוּרand it is forbiddenלוֹfor himשֶׁיִּמָּצֵאthat there be foundבְּבִגְדוֹon his garmentכֶּתֶםa stainאוֹorשַׁמְנוּנִיתgreaseוְכַיּוֹצֵאand the likeבָּהֶן.of themוְלֹאand notיִלְבַּשׁshall he wearלֹאnotמַלְבּוּשׁclothing ofמְלָכִיםkingsכְּגוֹןsuch asבִּגְדֵיgarments ofזָהָבgoldוְאַרְגָּמָןand purpleשֶׁהַכּלwhich everyoneמִסְתַּכְּלִיןgazeבָּהֶן.at themוְלֹאand notמַלְבּוּשׁclothing ofעֲנִיִּיםpoor peopleשֶׁהוּאwhichמְבַזֶּהshamesאֶת—לוֹבְשָׁיוits wearersאֶלָּאbutבְּגָדִיםgarmentsבֵּינוֹנִיםaverageנָאִים.attractiveוְלֹאand notיְהֵאshall beבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshנִרְאֶהvisibleמִתַּחַתfrom underמַדָּיוhis garmentsכְּמוֹlikeבִּגְדֵיgarments ofהַפִּשְׁתָּןlinenהַקַּלִּיםthe lightבְּיוֹתֵרexceedinglyשֶׁעוֹשִׂיםthat they makeבְּמִצְרַיִם.in Mitzrayimוְלֹאand notיִהְיוּshall beבְּגָדָיוhis garmentsסְחוּבִיןdraggingעַלonהָאָרֶץthe groundכְּמוֹlikeבִּגְדֵיthe garments ofגַּסֵּיhaughty ofהָרוּחַspiritאֶלָּאbutעַדuntilעֲקֵבוֹhis heelוּבֵיתand the house ofיָדhandשֶׁלּוֹof hisעַדuntilרָאשֵׁיthe tips ofאֶצְבְּעוֹתָיו.his fingersוְלֹאand notיְשַׁלְשֵׁלshall he let hang downטַלִּיתוֹhis cloakמִפְּנֵיbecauseשֶׁנִּרְאֶהthat it appearsכְּגַסּוּתlike haughtiness ofהָרוּחַspiritאֶלָּאexceptבְּשַׁבָּתon Shabbosבִּלְבַדaloneאִםifאֵיןthere is notלוֹto himלְהַחֲלִיף.to changeוְלֹאand notיִנְעַלshall he wearמִנְעָלִיםshoesמְטֻלָּאִיםpatchedטְלַאיa patchעַלuponגַּבֵּיthe back ofטְלַאיa patchבִּימוֹתin the days ofהַחַמָּה.the sunאֲבָלbutבִּימוֹתin the days ofהַגְּשָׁמִיםthe rainsמֻתָּרit is permittedאִםifהָיָהhe wasעָנִי.poorלֹאnotיֵצֵאshall he go outמְבֻשָּׂםperfumedלַשּׁוּקto the marketplaceוְלֹאand notבִּבְגָדִיםwith garmentsמְבֻשָּׂמִיםperfumedוְלֹאand notיָשִׂיםshall he putבּשֶֹׁםperfumeבִּשְׂעָרוֹ.in his hairאֲבָלbutאִםifמָשַׁחhe smearedבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshבְּבשֶֹׁםwith perfumeכְּדֵיin orderלְהַעֲבִירto removeאֶת—הַזֻּהֲמָאthe filthמֻתָּר.it is permittedוְכֵןand likewiseלֹאnotיֵצֵאshall he go outיְחִידִיaloneבַּלַּיְלָה.at nightאֶלָּאunlessאִם·כֵּן·הָיָהthere wasלוֹto himזְמַןa timeקָבוּעַfixedלָצֵאתto go outבּוֹin itלְתַלְמוּדוֹ.for his studyכָּלall ofאֵלּוּtheseמִפְּנֵיare because ofהַחֲשָׁד:suspicion
This halacha outlines the standards of cleanliness, modesty, and dignity required for a Torah scholar's clothing and public conduct to prevent desecration of Hashem's name.
הל׳ י
הַנְהָגַת הַתַּלְמִיד חָכָם בְּמָמוֹנוֹ וּבְהוֹצָאוֹת בֵּיתוֹHalacha 10 · The Financial Conduct of a Torah Sage and His Household Expenses
תַּלְמִידA discipleחָכָםof a Sageמְכַלְכֵּלmanagesדְּבָרָיוhis affairsבְּמִשְׁפָּט.with judgmentאוֹכֵלhe eatsוְשׁוֹתֶהand drinksוְזָןand sustainsאֶת—אַנְשֵׁיthe people ofבֵּיתוֹhis householdכְּפִיaccording toמָמוֹנוֹhis wealthוְהַצְלָחָתוֹ.and his successוְלֹאand notיַטְרִיחַshall he burdenעַלuponעַצְמוֹhimselfיוֹתֵרmoreמִדַּאי.than enoughצִוּוּThey commandedחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesבְּדֶרֶךְregarding the wayאֶרֶץof the landשֶׁלֹּאthat notיֹאכַלshould eatאָדָםa personבָּשָׂרmeatאֶלָּאexceptלְתֵאָבוֹן.with appetiteשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimיב12כ20"כִּי"Whenתְאַוֶּהdesiresנַפְשְׁךָyour soulלֶאֱכלto eatבָּשָׂר".meat"דַּיּוֹIt is sufficientלַבָּרִיאfor a healthy personלֶאֱכלto eatבָּשָׂרmeatמֵעֶרֶבfrom the eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosלְעֶרֶבto the eve ofשַׁבָּת.Shabbosוְאִםand ifהָיָהhe wasעָשִׁירwealthyכְּדֵיenoughלֶאֱכלto eatבָּשָׂרmeatבְּכָלon everyיוֹםdayאוֹכֵל.he may eatצִוּוּThey commandedחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesוְאָמְרוּand they saidלְעוֹלָםalwaysיֹאכַלshould eatאָדָםa personפָּחוֹתlessמִןthanהָרָאוּיwhat is fittingלוֹfor himלְפִיaccording toמָמוֹנוֹhis wealthוְיִלְבַּשׁand he should dressכָּרָאוּיas is fittingלוֹfor himוִיכַבֵּדand he should honorאִשְׁתּוֹhis wifeוּבָנָיוand his childrenיוֹתֵרmoreמִןthanהָרָאוּיwhat is fittingלוֹ:for him
This halacha outlines the proper, balanced approach a Torah scholar must take regarding his personal and household expenditures, emphasizing moderation in food and clothing but generosity toward his family.
הל׳ יא
הַנְהָגַת הָאָדָם בִּרְכִישַׁת מִקְצוֹעַ בַּיִת וְנִשּׂוּאִיןHalacha 11 · The Proper Order of Establishing a Livelihood, Acquiring a Home, and Marriage
דֶּרֶךְThe way ofבַּעֲלֵיpossessors ofדֵּעָהwisdomשֶׁיִּקְבַּעis that he should establishלוֹfor himselfאָדָםa personמְלָאכָהan occupationהַמְפַרְנֶסֶתthat supportsאוֹתוֹhimתְּחִלָּה.firstוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatיִקְנֶהhe should purchaseבֵּיתa house ofדִּירָה.dwellingוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatיִשָּׂאhe should marryאִשָּׁה.a wifeשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimכ20ו6"מִיWho isהָאִישׁthe manאֲשֶׁרwhoנָטַעhas plantedכֶּרֶםa vineyardוְלֹאand notחִלְּלוֹ".redeemed itדבריםDevarimכ20ה5"מִיWho isהָאִישׁthe manאֲשֶׁרwhoבָּנָהhas builtבַיִתa houseחָדָשׁnewוְלֹאand notחֲנָכוֹ".dedicated itדבריםDevarimכ20ז7"מִיWho isהָאִישׁthe manאֲשֶׁרwhoאֵרַשׂhas betrothedאִשָּׁהa womanוְלֹאand notלְקָחָהּ".taken herאֲבָלButהַטִּפְּשִׁיןthe foolsמַתְחִילִיןbeginלִשָּׂאto marryאִשָּׁהa wifeוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatאִםifתִּמְצָאreachesיָדוֹhis handיִקְנֶהhe purchasesבַּיִתa houseוְאַחַרand afterכָּךְthatבְּסוֹףat the end ofיָמָיוhis daysיְחַזֵּרhe goes aroundלְבַקֵּשׁto seekאֻמָּנוּתa tradeאוֹorיִתְפַּרְנֵסhe is supportedמִןfromהַצְּדָקָה.charityוְכֵןAnd soהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysבַּקְּלָלוֹתin the cursesדבריםDevarimכח28ל30"אִשָּׁהA wifeתְאָרֵשׂ"you shall betrothדבריםDevarimכח28ל30"בַּיִתa houseתִּבְנֶה"you shall buildדבריםDevarimכח28ל30"כֶּרֶםa vineyardתִּטַּע".you shall plantכְּלוֹמַרmeaning to sayיִהְיוּwill beמַעֲשֶׂיךָyour deedsהֲפוּכִיןupside downכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁלֹּאthat notתַּצְלִיחַyou will succeed inאֶת—דְּרָכֶיךָ.your waysוּבַבְּרָכָהAnd in the blessingהוּאitאוֹמֵרsaysשמואלShmuelאIיח18יד14"וַיְהִיAnd wasדָוִדDovidלְכָלin allדְּרָכָוhis waysמַשְׂכִּילsuccessfulוַה'and Hashemעִמּוֹ":was with him
The Rambam outlines the sensible sequence of life priorities—securing a livelihood first, then a home, and finally marriage—contrasting it with the disordered approach of fools.
הל׳ יב
אִסּוּר הַפְקָרַת נְכָסִים וְהַנְהָגָה כַּלְכָּלִית נְבוֹנָהHalacha 12 · The Prohibition of Renouncing Possessions and Wise Financial Management
וְאָסוּרAnd it is forbiddenלוֹfor himלָאָדָםfor a personלְהַפְקִירto make ownerlessאוֹorלְהַקְדִּישׁto consecrateכָּלall ofנְכָסָיוhis possessionsוְיַטְרִיחַand burdenעַלuponהַבְּרִיּוֹת.the creationsוְלֹאand notיִמְכֹּרshall he sellשָׂדֶהa fieldוְיִקְנֶהand buyבַּיִתa houseוְלֹאand notבַּיִתa houseוְיִקְנֶהand buyמִטַּלְטְלִיןmovable propertyאוֹorיַעֲשֶׂהmakeסְחוֹרָהmerchandiseבִּדְמֵיwith the money ofבֵּיתוֹ.his houseאֲבָלbutמוֹכֵרsellsהוּאheמִטַּלְטְלִיןmovable propertyוְקוֹנֶהand buysשָׂדֶה.a fieldכְּלָלוֹthe general ruleשֶׁלofדָּבָרthe matterיָשִׂיםhe should placeמְגַמָּתוֹhis purposeלְהַצְלִיחַto make successfulנְכָסָיוhis possessionsוּלְהַחֲלִיףand to exchangeהַכָּלֶהthe fleetingבְּקַיָּם.for the enduringוְלֹאand notתִּהְיֶהshall beכַּוָּנָתוֹhis intentionלֵהָנוֹתto benefitמְעַטa littleלְפִיforשָׁעָהthe momentאוֹorלֵהָנוֹתto benefitמְעַטa littleוְיַפְסִידand loseהַרְבֵּה:much
This halacha outlines the Torah's view on financial responsibility, forbidding a person from making himself a public burden and advising him to invest in permanent assets rather than temporary ones.
הל׳ יג
הַנְהָגַת תַּלְמִיד חָכָם בְּמַשָּׂא וּמַתָּן וּבְהָלִיכוֹת חַיָּיוHalacha 13 · The Conduct of a Torah Sage in Business and Personal Relations
מַשָּׂאוֹThe businessוּמַתָּנוֹand dealingsשֶׁלofתַּלְמִידa discipleחָכָםof a Sageבֶּאֱמֶתis with truthוּבֶאֱמוּנָה.and with faithfulnessאוֹמֵרhe saysעַלonלָאוnoלָאוnoוְעַלand onהֵןyesהֵן.yesמְדַקְדֵּקhe is exactingעַלonעַצְמוֹhimselfבְּחֶשְׁבּוֹןin accountingוְנוֹתֵןand givesוּמְוַתֵּרand waivesלַאֲחֵרִיםto othersכְּשֶׁיִּקַּחwhen he buysמֵהֶןfrom themוְלֹאand notיְדַקְדֵּקwill he be exactingעֲלֵיהֶן.upon themוְנוֹתֵןand he paysדְּמֵיthe money ofהַמִּקָּחthe purchaseלְאַלְתַּרimmediatelyוְאֵינוֹand he does notנַעֲשֶׂהbecomeלֹאnotעָרֵבa guarantorוְלֹאand notקַבְּלָןa co-signerוְלֹאand notיָבוֹאwill he enterבְּהַרְשָׁאָה.with power of attorneyאֵינוֹhe does notמְחַיֵּבobligateעַצְמוֹhimselfבְּדִבְרֵיin matters ofמִקָּחbuyingוּמִמְכָּרand sellingבְּמָקוֹםin a placeשֶׁלֹּאwhere notחִיְּבָהobligatedאוֹתוֹhimתּוֹרָה.the Torahכְּדֵיin orderשֶׁיַּעֲמֹדthat he will standבְּדִבּוּרוֹby his wordוְלֹאand notיְשַׁנֵּהוּ.change itוְאִםand ifנִתְחַיְּבוּbecame obligatedלוֹto himאֲחֵרִיםothersבַּדִּיןby the lawמַאֲרִיךְhe extends timeוּמוֹחֵלand forgivesלָהֶןthemוּמַלְוֶהand lendsוְחוֹנֵן.and shows favorוְלֹאand notיֵרֵדwill he descendלְתוֹךְintoאֻמָּנוּתthe trade ofחֲבֵרוֹ.his fellowוְלֹאand notיָצֵרwill he cause distressלְאָדָםto a personלְעוֹלָםeverבְּחַיָּיו.in his lifeכְּלָלוֹthe general ruleשֶׁלofדָּבָרthe matterיִהְיֶהhe should beמִןfromהַנִּרְדָּפִיםthe pursuedוְלֹאand notמִןfromהָרוֹדְפִיםthe pursuersמִןfromהַנֶּעֱלָבִיםthe insultedוְלֹאand notמִןfromהָעוֹלְבִים.the insultingוְאָדָםand a personשֶׁעוֹשֶׂהwho doesכָּלallהַמַּעֲשִׂיםthe deedsהָאֵלּוּtheseוְכַיּוֹצֵאand similarבָּהֶןto themעָלָיוupon himהַכָּתוּבthe verseאוֹמֵרsaysוַיֹּאמֶרand He saidלִיto meעַבְדִּיMy servantאָתָּהyou areיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelאֲשֶׁרwhomבְּךָin youאֶתְפָּאָר:I will be glorified
This halacha outlines the exemplary ethical standards, honesty, and humility a Torah scholar must exhibit in all financial dealings and interpersonal relationships.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by outlining how a talmid chacham must be recognized through his refined conduct in all areas of life, starting with his eating habits. The Rambam warns strongly against gluttony and overindulgence, which the Sages compare to the ways of the wicked, and instead directs the wise man to eat simple, healthy meals solely to sustain his body. By eating with holiness and restraint, the righteous person fulfills the words of Shlomo Hamelech, eating only to satisfy his soul and keep his body fit for the service of Hashem.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
My dear talmid, when we think of a Torah scholar, we often picture someone sitting in the beis medrash with a open Gemara. But the Rambam is teaching us a profound chiddush here: the true test of a ben Torah is not just how he learns, but how he eats, how he speaks, how he conducts himself in his most private moments, and even how he walks down the street. A Yid's entire physical existence must be refined, elevated, and distinct from the coarse, self-indulgent ways of the world.
Look at how the Rambam describes the way we eat and drink. The world says, "Eat and drink, for tomorrow we die", a life focused on filling the stomach and chasing physical pleasure. But a wise person eats simply, solely to keep his body healthy to serve Hashem. Even in the most intimate and hidden parts of life, a Yid acts with deep tznius, holiness, and gentle respect. Our speech should be soft and pleasant, never shouting like animals, and we must always judge others favorably and seek peace.
This is our avodah. We do not separate the spiritual from the physical; we bring the spiritual down into the physical. When you carry yourself with dignity, refinement, and self-control in your daily, mundane activities, you are making a kiddush Hashem with your very body and showing what it truly means to be a servant of Hashem.
Today, before you sit down to eat a meal or a snack, pause for three seconds. Remind yourself that you are eating to have strength to serve Hashem, and leave over just one small bite on your plate to show that you control your desires, rather than letting them control you.