מדרש אויף דברים 13:14

R. Papa, who was once mounting steps, slipped, and nearly fell, and might have been killed. He said: "If this had happened, my enemies would have accused me of being a violator of the Sabbath or an idolater." Chiya b. Rab of Diphti then said to him: "Perhaps a poor man called upon you and you paid no attention to him, for we are taught in the following Baraitha: R. Joshua b. Karcha said: 'He who closes his eye to charity is considered as if he served idols; for it is written here concerning charity (Deut. 15, 9) Beware that there be not Beliyaal in thy heart; and it is written there [concerning idolatry] (Ib. 13, 14) There have gone forth children of Beliyaal. Just as at its former place Beliyaal refers to idolatry, so does it also in the latter place refer to idolatry.' "

Our Rabbis taught: He who prays shall direct his heart to Heaven. Abba Saul says: "We find a hint to this (Ps. 10, 17.) Thou wilt strengthen their hearts. Thou wilt cause thy ear to listen."We are taught that R. Juda says: "This was the custom of R. Akiba when he prayed with the community; he used to shorten his prayer in order to keep up with the assembly, so as not to trouble the assembly [to wait for him.]. But when he prayed privately, if one left him [praying] in one corner when he started, he would be found [at the completion of his prayer] in the next corner, because of his bowing and kneeling [during his prayer]." R. Hamnuna said: "How many important laws can we learn from the incident of Hannah? Now as for Hannah, she spoke in her heart (I Sam. 1, 13). We infer from this that one who prays must concentrate his attention. Only her lips moved (Ib.); we infer from this that he who prays must speak with his lips [thinking does not suffice]. But her voice could not be heard (Ib.); we infer from this that he who prays must not raise his voice loudly. Wherefore Eli regarded her as a. drunken woman (Ib.); we infer from this that it is unlawful for a drunkard to pray." And Eli said unto her, How long, wilt thou he drunk?' (Ib.) "We infer from this, said R. Elazar, "that if one notice (Ib. b.) an unbecoming thing in a friend it is one's duty to reprimand him." Hannah answered, and said: 'No, my Lord.' (Ib.) Ulla. and according to some R. Jose, the son of R. Chanina, said that Hannah remarked unto Eli, "Thou art not Judge in this matter nor does the Holy spirit rest upon thee, if thou suspect me of such a thing." Others say that Hannah spoke thus unto Eli: "Thou art not a Judge in this matter. Are there not then the Shechina and the Holy Spirit with thee, that thou judgeth me as guilty and not innocent?" Dost thou not know that I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit but neither wine nor strong drink have I drunk? (Ib.) "We infer from this," said R. Elazar, "that if a man is wrongly accused of anything he ought to inform his accuser of it." Esteem not thy handmaid as a worthless woman (Ib.) R. Elazar said, "We infer from this that a drunkard who prays, is as if he were worshipping idols; here is written Beliya'al (worthless) — as a worthless woman; and it is also written there (Deu. 13, 14.) There have gone forth men, children of worthless (Beliya'al), just as in the later instance it refers to idolatry, so also does it refer to idolatry here." Then Eli answered and said: 'Go in peace.' (Ib.) We infer from this," said R. Elazar, "that he who wrongly accuses his friend must appease him and moreover must bless him, as it is said (Ib. ib.) And may the God of Israel grant thy request."

R. Abba used to wrap up some denars in his scarf and throw them backward. He would arrange to be near the poor, while keeping an eye [to watch it] against deceivers. R. Chanina had a poor man in his neighborhood to whom he was accustomed to send four hundred zuzim on every Saturday eve. Once he sent it through his wife, who returned [with the money], saying: "He does not need it." Upon R. Chanina's question: "What have you seen [that makes you think so?" she replied: "I heard he was asked: 'On what will you dine (Fol. 68) with the silver outfit, (vessels,) or with the gold outfit?'" Whereupon R. Chanina said: This is what R. Jochanan meant when he said: "Come, let us be thankful to the fraudulent poor, for if not for them we might have been committing sin every day, as it is said (Deut. 15, 9) And he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin in thee; and R. Chiya b. Rab of Difti was taught that R. Joshua b. Karcha said: 'He who closes his eyes to charity is considered as if he serves idols; for [concerning charity] it is written (Ib.) Beware that there be not a base thought (beliya'al) in thy heart, etc., and (concerning idolatry) it is written (Ib. 13, 14) Certain base fellows (Bliyaal) are gone out, etc. Just as in the former case Bliyaal refers to idolatry, so does it also in the latter case refer to idolatry."