More Quotations #2

◌ Proverbs 37: 30, 31 [Wisdom's] ways are the ways of pleasantness and all her paths are peace.

◌ Psalm 37:30, 31 The righteous speak wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice. The Torah of Adonai is in his heart; his steps do not slip.

◌ James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding? Let that one show this by ethical behavior in the gentleness of wisdom.
◌ James 3:14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition [or strife] in your heart, do not be arrogant and lie against the Truth.
◌ James 3:15 - 18 This wisdom is not . . . from above but is earthly, natural (unspiritual), demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exists, there is disorder and every evil thing. But the wisdom [remember: Proverbs 28:7. Whoever keeps Torah is wise. Also see Jeremiah 8:8 - 9] from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruit [remember Galatians 5:22 love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control] unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the fruit of righteousnesws is sown in peace by [for] those who make peace.

◌ Rabbi Leo Baeck prayed this prayer before the congregation in Germany in 1935 on Yom Kippur and was shortly arrested: "We pronounce our abhorrence . . . [of] the lies which are turned against us, and the slander directed against our religion and its character . . . Who has revealed to the world the sense for the purity of conduct, for the purity of family? Who has given to the world the command of righteousness, of social responsibility? The spirit of the prophets in Israel, the revelation of G-d to the Jewish people, has produced all of them." ~~ Days of Sorrow and Pain, p 205 - 6, Baker.

◌ Ain shaliach ledvar aveirah --
"There is no messenger in a case of sin."
Meaning: No one forces another to sin; it is the choice of the sinner. Examples:
Shifra and Puah (Exodus 1:15 - 21)
Daniel, the three "Hebrew children"
Evil Doeg (1 Samuel 22:9 - 23)
Evil Joab (2 Samuel 11:14 - 25)
Saul's evil officers toward Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:24 - 45

◌ tzaddik -- a righteous person
Yetzer hatov -- good inclination
yetzer hara -- evil inclination
Unfortunately, motives must be constantly checked. Is it the yetzer hatov or the yetzer hara that takes precedence in our generosity? If asked for help, would we have given more if we'd known it would be reported in the newspaper for all to see?