How a Person Should Conduct Himself

From Halachipedia

The Pasuk in Mishlei/Proverbs (3:6) says: "בכל דרכיך דעהו--Know Hashem in all your ways".

  1. Even things that a person does for his physical needs should be done for the sake of Hashem. This manifests itself, for example, in several areas. [1].
  2. A person is obligated to evaluate his ways, and to weigh all of his actions--if he sees something that will lead to service of Hashem, he should do it; and if not, he shouldn't. [2].
  3. One who does this serves Hashem, even as he eats, drinks, sits, stands, walks, and engages in business. [3].

Eating and Drinking

  1. It goes without saying that a person shouldn't eat anything non-Kosher, God forbid.
  2. Even if one is hungry and thirsty, it is not praiseworthy if one eats to satisfy that hunger and thirst.
  3. When eating, one should intend that it give him strength for the service of God [4].
  4. One shouldn't eat things because they are tasty, but because they help his body's health [5].

Sitting, Standing, and Walking in proper ways

  1. It goes without saying that one shouldn't sit in a gathering of scoffers, stand in the ways of sin, nor walk in the ways of the wicked.[6].
  2. Even to sit in a counsel of the upright, to stand in a place of Tzaddikim, and to walk in advice of the pure, one shouldn't do for his own benefit, to satisfy his desire, but for the sake of Hashem [7].
  3. However, if it is impossible for one to do it solely for the sake of Hashem, one shouldn't refrain from these; instead, one should do it not for its proper sake, as one will eventually come to do it for its sake.[8]

Lying Down

  1. It goes without saying, that if a person can be studying Torah or doing Mitzvos, and he incites sleep upon himself for pleasure, it is not fitting to do this. [9].
  2. However, even if one is tired, one who sleeps for his body's benefit isn't praiseworthy, but instead one should sleep for health and so that he can focus on Torah [10].

Speaking

  1. Even if one speaks about דברי חכמים / Wise words, one should intend for it to be about a matter that will bring about Divine Service. [11].

Business Matters

  1. When one does business, one's intent shouldn't be to only amass wealth, but instead, in order to sustain his family, to give Tzedaka, and raise sons that will study Torah. [12]

References

  1. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 31:1
  2. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 31:7
  3. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 31:7. Also see Shulchan Aruch 31:7, Rambam Hil' De'os Chapter 3.
  4. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 31:2
  5. ↑ Kitzur Shulchan Aruch 31:2
  6. ↑ Kitzur S"A 31:3
  7. ↑ Kitzur S"A 31:3
  8. ↑ Kitzur S"A 31:3
  9. ↑ Kitzur S"A 31:4
  10. ↑ Kitzur S"A 31:4
  11. ↑ Kitzur S"A 31:6
  12. ↑ Kitzur S"A 31:7
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