To pray loudly is not a necessity of devotion; when we pray we must direct our hearts toward heaven. Charity is greater than all. Who gives charity in secret is greater than Moses. He finds authority for this saying in the words of Moses, " For I was afraid of the anger, }) and the words of Solomon which he presents as an answer, " A gift given in secret pacifieth anger.8.
A miser is as wicked as an idolater. Charity is more than sacrifices. " He who gives (charity) becomes rich," or as it is written, " A beneficent soul will be abundantly gratified. One day a philosopher inquired of Rabbi Akiba, " If your God loves the poor, why does He not support them. 34© PROVERBIAL SAYINGS. " God allows the poor to be with us ever,8 responded Akiba, " that the opportunities for doing good may never fail.*.