Ethical Will

Grieve not at all on my departure for the Land of Israel (may it be built and established!). You gave me indeed a firm promise to that effect. And why should you be anxious? Many men travel years long, in search of money, leaving wives and children, themselves wanderers and strayers in want of all things. But I, thanks be to God, am on my way to the Holy Land, which everyone is eager to behold; the desired of all Israel, the desired of God Himself, the land for which in heaven and on earth all beings yearn. And I journey in peace, blessed be the Lord, though you know that I have torn myself from my children, for whom my heart moans, from all my precious books, and from the glorious splendor of my house, and have become as a stranger in another country. [ . . . ]

On Sabbaths and festivals speak not at all of matters which are not absolutely essential, and even in such cases be very brief. For the sanctity of the Sabbath is great indeed, and only with reluctance did the authorities allow even the exchange of greetings—so severe were they regarding even a single utterance. Honor then the Sabbath to the utmost, as was done when I was with you. Be in nowise niggardly, for though God determines how much a person shall have, this does not apply to Sabbaths and festivals.

I also make an especial and emphatic request that you train your daughters to the avoidance of objurgations, oaths, lies, or contention. Let their whole conversation be conducted in peace, love, affability and gentleness. I possess many moral books with Yiddish (versions); let them read these regularly; above all on the Sabbath—the holy of holies—they should occupy themselves with these ethical books exclusively. For a curse, an oath, or a lie, strike them; show no softness in the matter. For, (God forbid!) the mother and father are punished for the corruption of the children. Even if you do your best to train them morally and fail, woe to your shame here and hereafter—“she profaneth her father.” Therefore use your utmost rigor in their moral training, and may Heaven help you to success! So with other matters, such as the avoidance of slander and gossip; the regular recital of grace before and after meals, the reading of the Shema’, all with true devotion. The fundamental rule, however, is that they gad not about in the streets, but incline their ear to your words and honor you and my mother and all their elders. [ . . . ]

For slander once spoken there is no remedy. Therefore the rule must be: Speak of no man to his praise, still less to his dispraise. For what has a man to do with slander? “The mouth of slander is a deep pit, he that is abhorred of the Lord falleth therein.”

Against this offence the most effective hedge is solitude—to avoid ever leaving the house for the streets unless under pressure of extreme necessity or in order to perform an important religious duty. The Scripture hints at this. Even in Synagogue make but a very short stay and depart. It is better to pray at home, for in Synagogue it is impossible to escape envy and the hearing of idle talk. Men have to give account for it; as the Sages say, he who merely listens and is silent is culpable. The more so on Sabbaths and festivals, when people assemble to talk, it would be better not to pray at all. It is also better for your daughter not to go to Synagogue, for there she would see garments of embroidery and similar finery. She would grow envious and speak of it at home, and out of this would come scandal and other ills. Let her seek her glory in her home, cleaving ever to discipline, and showing no jealousy for worldly gauds, vain and delusive as they are, coming up in a night and perishing in a night. [ . . . ]

My dear mother! I realize that you need no instruction of mine, for I know your modest disposition. Nevertheless, let them read in your presence this Letter, for it contains counsels derived from the words of the living God. And I earnestly implore you not to grieve for my sake, as you have promised. If, by God’s grace, I have the privilege to be in Jerusalem, the Holy City, over against the Gates of Heaven, I will pray on your behalf in accordance with my undertaking. If we are so blessed we shall appear (in the City) together all of us, should the Master of Mercy so will it.

I also beg my wife to honor my mother in accordance with the prescript of the Law, especially regarding a widow. ‘Tis an indictable offense to distress her, even in the smallest matter. My mother, too, I entreat to live harmoniously with my wife, each bringing happiness to the other by kindly intercourse, for this is a prime duty incumbent on all mankind. Each one is asked, in the hour of judgment: “Hast thou conducted thyself with friendliness towards thy fellow man?” The aim of the Torah, in large part, is to induce this desire of causing happiness. Let there be no dissension of any kind among all the household, men and women, but let love and brotherliness reign. In case of offense, forgive each other, and live for God’s sake in amity. Of my mother I also ask that she shall lay her injunctions on my sons and daughters in tender terms so that she may win obedience; that she shall care for them and they shall honor her. Between them there shall be heard no strife or anger, but peace shall prevail. And may the Master of Peace grant unto you, unto my sons and daughters, my sons-in-law and brothers, and unto all Israel, life and peace! These are the words of one who constantly prays for you—Elijah b. Solomon Zalman (be the memory of the righteous for a blessing!).