The Wise Man's Will That Outsmarted His Sons

Exempla of the Rabbis, No. 399

Curated by Arthur·Told by Maggid·March 24, 2026

399. Wise Will.

Tanh. Gen. Lekh, § 8. Farhi, O. P. I, f. 20.

Ben Gorion II, p. 138,

346.

Cod. Br. M. 27189, f. 22b.

Themes

Wisdom Death Music Sin Charity

Continue Reading

Introduction to Sulam CommentaryHow Two Opposing Forces Reach HarmonyHow Two Opposing Forces Reach Harmony is the question behind this passage from Introduction to Sulam Commentary. The passage speaks of a "left line" and a "righ Mekhilta DeRabbi YishmaelCursing Your Parents Is Forbidden Even After They DieThe Torah commands, "And if one curses his father and his mother" he is liable for a grave sin (Exodus 21:17). The Mekhilta noticed that the verse as written on Book of JubileesWhen Human Lifespans Shrank Due to WickednessBook of Jubilees turns to When Human Lifespans Shrank Due to Wickedness. The Book of Jubilees, a text considered scripture by some but excluded from the standar Alphabet of Ben SiraThose Who Follow Their Eyes Are LostThe letter Vav arrives, and Ben Sira delivers one of his sharpest proverbs yet: "Woe to one who follows after his eyes! And know that they are the product of st Alphabet of Ben SiraThe Burden of Raising DaughtersThe letter Chet opens with Ben Sira's most provocative proverb so far: "Males are dear to all, but woe to fathers of females." Let's be clear about what this is Alphabet of Ben SiraStay Away From Evil Friends"Control your face around evil friends. Do not walk on the road with them. Hold your feet back around them, lest you be caught in their trap." This proverb, cor