The Jewish Wisdom Database

In Ne'ilah [the closing prayer] of Yom Kippur, what did he [the Cohen] say? 'And Hashem will bless you from Zion and you will see the good of Jerusalem all of the days of your life.'

The Jerusalem of this world is not like the Jerusalem in the next world [in Heaven]. The Jerusalem of this world, anyone who wants to ascend there, may ascend; but the one of the next world, only those who are prepared for it may ascend.

Who sings in this world will sing also in the next.

Song is obligatory in the ritual of the sanctuary.

As an olive tree does not lose its foliage in summer or winter, so Israel will never be lost, here or hereafter.

The air of the Land of Israel makes one wise.

We should be grateful for the rogues among the poor; were it not for them, we would sin each time we ignore an appeal.

Charity equals all the other commandments.

What you do not give in charity voluntarily, the heathen will take from you forcibly.

Charity delivers from death only when giver and recipient do not know the one who the other is.

It is better not to give alms than to give it in public, with embarrassment for the recipient.

As between relatives and poor strangers, relatives come first.

A charity pledge may be taken even on Sabbath eve.

Applicants for clothes are investigated, not applicants for food.

Whatever your host tells you, do.

A woman watches a guest more grudgingly than a man.

Hospitality to wayfarers is greater than welcoming the Shekina.

The host breaks bread and the guest says Grace.

Be ever decorous when you enter and when you leave.

If charity costs nothing, the world would be full of philanthropists.

The best charity is good will.

A man gives little if he gives much with a frown; he gives much if he gives little with a smile.

Whoever gives the poor money is blessed sixfold; whoever does it with a kind word is blessed sevenfold.

Little children, little troubles; big children, big troubles.

Little children won't let you sleep; big children won't let you live.