Musar para sa Mga Kawikaan 1:5

Seeing that the list of virtues which the Torah tries to teach us both in this portion and in all other portions is very lengthy, I am not able to record more than a tiny fraction of them in my comments on this as well as on the other פרשיות. The reader will no doubt apply to himself the verse from Proverbs 1,5: ישמע חכם ויוסף לקח, "The wise man will hear and increase learning."

Surely, one should not view a Torah scholar as small in his eyes because he provides for his needs, G-d forbid, nor should he give himself credit for sustaining and supporting him, for [the torah scholar’s] portion rests among [the benefactor’s] assets, as is said on the verse (Exodus 22:24): “to the poor among your people”: it is [merely] the mission of the Merciful one that he is doing. And not only this, but what the poor person does for the rich benefactor is greater than what the benefactor does for the poor person, for it is a merit for him [the rich person] in the world where all is good, as our Sages of blessed memory say (Ruth Rabbah 5:9, Vayikra Rabbah 34:8) on the verse (Ruth 2:19): “the man with whom I did [kindness] today was Boaz” [that is, Ruth said she did kindness to Boaz despite him giving her food], therefore one should be very careful about [the recipient’s] honor. And also the Torah scholars must be careful with the honor of their rich brethren who benefit and support them. For if it is said (Eruvin 86a) that Rabbi [Yehuda] and Rabbi Akiva honored the wealthy even though were not dependent on them, how much more so is one who needs them and benefits from them obligated to not be ungrateful, to show them some respect, and to exert himself somewhat on their behalf to give them satisfaction. Extra affection should be shown to them, and [the scholar] should teach them “the proper way to go and the deeds they should perform” (Exodus 18:20). With pleasant conversation and sweet language, “open rebuke is better than love” (Proverbs 27:5). And he should share in their distress and grieve with them and pray for them, and he should always pray for them so that they will succeed in all they undertake. And in all their Torah study and good deeds, they [the scholars] should have them [their supporters] in mind as well. Regarding this and similar matters, “the wise man shall hear and increase learning”(Proverbs 1:5), and he shall do so that he may find favor and good understanding in the eyes of G-d and man.

Behold, up till now I have encompassed many details of the particulars of Cleanliness. What has been stated should serve as an example to all of the other Mitzvot and Traits, "let the wise man hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain counsel" (Mishlei 1:5).