DEUTERONOMY | 8:11 forget — DEUT378 Remembrance is a trait without which this...
DEUT378 Remembrance is a trait without which this world cannot endure. All of the dealings of the world are dependent upon remembrance, for a man would not believe in his friend or lend him anything if he did not remember. The same applies to all of the world's affairs, such as business, for instance. If people forgot what they had said, they could not do business, and they could not make any conditions if they did not remember. It is not necessary to expound on this, for it is common knowledge. Therefore, one should adopt this trait in all of his affairs, for remembrance is a fence to the truth. He must remember his vows which must be fulfilled; if he agreed on something with his friend, he must remember the matter as it was agreed-upon and not change his words; if his friend has told him a secret and asked him not to reveal it, he must remember this and not reveal it; if one has borrowed money or household utensils from his friend, he must remember exactly what he has borrowed and repay everything. And one who is involved in many affairs must take care not to borrow money or solicit other things, for his preoccupation will cause him to forget everything and not remember. If his friend has done him a favor, he must remember it so that he can return it. With respect to charity, he must remember the poor and bring to mind their plight so that he will assist them. And if he comes to testify in court concerning something that he has seen and knows, he must take great care to remember everything and not to add to nor detract from what he has seen. See how the Holy One Blessed be He has exhorted us to remembrance, as it is written [this verse:] "Take heed to yourself less you forget Hashem your God, not to observe His mitzvos, His judgments, and His statutes." Remembering the Blessed Hashem and all of one's deeds is a great attainment, as King David said (Tehillim 16:8): "I have set Hashem always before me."
Source Key | TZADIK |
Verse | 8:11 |
Keyword(s) | forget |
Source Page(s) | 325-7 |