Yosay Ben Yochanan Of Jerusalem Said: "Let Your House Be Wide Open [For Guests]. Treat The Poor As Members Of Your Household, And Do Not Indulge Excessively In Conversation With The Woman."

This Was Said Concerning One's Own Wife; How Much More So Does It Apply To The Wife Of Another! Hence The Sages Have Declared: "Anyone Who Indulges Excessively In Conversation With A Woman Causes Evil To Himself, Neglects The Study Of Torah, And Will In The End Inherit Gehinom."

Treat The Poor As Members Of Your Household

Our Sages state[22] that "poverty is becoming to the Jews," for it humbles a person and brings him closer to teshuvah. By opening one's home to the poor, one benefits from the humbling influence of poverty without being subjected to it oneself.

(Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XVII, p. 364)

Do Not Indulge Excessively In Conversation

In chassidic terminology, when mankind is contrasted with the animal and plant kingdoms, a human being is referred to as a Medabeir, "one who talks."

Why is speech singled out over intellect or emotion to define man's uniqueness? Because every other element of a person's character centers around himself, while speech gives him the ability to transcend his own being and relate to another person.[23]

In light of the uniqueness of this potential, our Sages proposed[24] that Sicha, "conversation," is the purpose of man's creation. Nevertheless, they reject this hypothesis and explain instead that the goal of man's creative efforts should be Torah study. For Torah study enables a person to establish a bond with G-d that transcends the natural limits of creation and endows a person and his environment with a new dimension of spiritual awareness.

(Likkutei Sichos, Vol. VI, pgs. 115-116; Vol. XV, p. 96ff)

   

Notes:

22. (Back to text) Chagigah 9b.

23. (Back to text) Sefer HaMaamarim 5628, p. 167.

24. (Back to text) Sanhedrin 99b.