시편 1:1의 무사르

King David began the book of Tehillim with the words, “Fortunate is the man who has not walked in the counsil of the wicked … nor did he sit in a gathering of scoffers” (1:1). Similarly, our Rabbis have said in Pirkei Avos, “When two people sit together and there are no words of Torah between them, it is a ‘gathering of scoffers’” (3:2). Since, on account of our many sins, this is a very common circumstance a person must pay careful heed to this warning. Whenever he sits with his companions he must be certain that the discussion consists of words of Torah or character development or awe of Heaven. It goes without saying that he must avoid the company of scoffers and idlers who sit together engaging in frivolity. For in the course of their endless chatter they inevitably come to utter words of mockery and derogatory speech, thereby giving rise to harmful forces that inflict damage upon their souls. Therefore whoever fears the word of Hashem will distance himself from such company.

And the fourth section: One who always makes a habit for himself to engage in idle talk, and idle matters, like those who sit in the street corners. And there are two evils in the matter: The first is because all who proliferate words bring sin. And the second is that he is idle from [speaking] words of Torah. And the ways of death [are found] in this. For he does not remember or pay attention, that the time periods that he is wasting, he could [use] to reach pleasantness, to acquire eternal life - if he were to set these available times for Torah when he is free to pursue it, being unburdened by his work and dealings? This is nothing but his heart despising the commandments and the reward of the World to Come. In addition to losing much goodness, he will incur sin. For the guilt [accrued] from neglecting Torah when he has the ability to study it is a fire that consumes to destruction, as [the sages] said (Avot deRabbi Natan 36:6), “'For he has despised the word of the Lord' (Numbers 15:31) - anyone who can study Torah but does not...," as we mentioned earlier. And they, may their memory be blessed, said, [that] one who goes to a place where they gather for frivolity, this is considered a place of scorners, about which it says (Psalms 1:1), “nor sits in the company of scorners,” and it is stated afterward, “but his delight is in the law of the Lord.” You learn from this that a place of scorners leads to the neglect of Torah. And he who does not set his heart to engage in the Torah during his free time should take heed for his own soul, so he does not get lost. He should rather isolate himself to reflect upon his end, understand his fate, examine his ways, acquire virtues of the soul and draw near to God, may He be blessed.
The Fifth Section – One who scoffs with words about deeds and matters, though in his heart he does not despise them, but it is rather from the way of those who are joyous without cause and not according to the properties of [true] humor. Sometimes this is caused by wine and drunkenness, as it is stated (Proverbs 20:1), “Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging, and whosoever is deceived thereby will not grow wise,” meaning a person given to wine is a scoffer, a person given to strong drink rages, anyone misled by it will not grow wise. It is like (Psalms 109:4), “But I am prayer,” [means] a person given to prayer. This implies that wine feasting causes three bad things: First, it makes a person a scoffer. Second, it makes him a boisterous and talkative person. And they, may their memory be blessed, said, “He who speaks excessively brings about sin.” And it is stated (Ecclesiastes 5:2), “And the voice of a fool is known by a multitude of words.” The third thing, “whosoever is deceived thereby will not grow wise.” Know that the habit of mockery does not become entrenched in a person’s soul until he throws off the yoke of the Heavens from upon himself. Therefore he will be punished to carry the yoke of afflictions - measure for measure - as it is stated (Isaiah 28:22), “Now therefore do not be scoffers, lest your suffering be made strong.” And they, may their memory be blessed, said (Avodah Zarah 18b), “Anyone who scoffs, suffering will befall him, as it is stated, ‘lest your suffering be made strong.’” And the Sages would warn their students against scoffing even occasionally and by chance. And about this section they had to warn, since many have stumbled on it in an occasional way.

This is the intent of Shlomo's warning: "do not mingle with those who make changes" (Prov.24:21). If a man claims to you: "a person's mind should always be associated with his fellow men" (Ketuvot 17a), reply to him, "this refers to human beings who act like human beings. Not human beings who act like animals." Shlomo warns further: "Go from before a foolish man" (Prov. 14:7). And King David said: "Fortunate is the man that walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers" (Ps. 1:1). Our sages expounded this: "If he walks, he will eventually stand. If he stood, he will eventually sit" (Avodah Zara 18b). And "I did not sit with men of falsehood, neither did I go with hypocrites. I have hated the congregation of evil-doers, and will not sit with the wicked" (Ps. 26:4-5).