Book

ספר SEFER - BOOK:

BOOK TWO:

1. Someone who has the potential to write a book and does not; this is considered like losing children.

2. Writers must weigh the words of their books, to see if there is enough in them for a book. For the essence of a book is only the things which have been said with the connection of the souls, in the aspect of: "This is the book of the offspring of man." (Genesis 5:1) And if there is only a small amount from such a binding, then it is insufficient for a book.

3. When those with depth of understanding see novel Torah teachings in a book, they can discern whether the author conceived of them himself, or whether they were already existing beforehand from time immemorial one who conceived these novelty, and, because there had not been enough to comprise a book, these novelty were revealed to this author, for them to be included in his book, but in truth, he did not labor for these teachings, for they came to him with ease, for someone else had already toiled for them and brought them to revelation.

4. When some new Torah book is printed, the crying through which the book was created—in the aspect of "and my drink I mixed (“musachti” - close to “meseches” meaning tractate) with tears”, this crying braces up against the decrees of the nations, that they should not overpower us. Furthermore, the main power of their sovereignty is only from the crying of Eisov. A sign of this (Hosea 2:1): "And the number of the children of Israel will be as the sand of the sea." (The acronym of the words of this passage spell "crying" in Hebrew, and the Hebrew word for “number” can also be interpreted as “from the book”. This is further explained in Likutay Moharan (30), just like the sand of the sea banks the ocean from wiping out the world, so too the tears cried when compiling a book protect the children of Israel from the decrees of the nations).

5. One who does not look upon women, merits that his descendants will author commentaries on the Torah.

6. That which holy books by tzaddikim are buried (respectfully), and lost, and forgotten from the world, as with several books of the Tanaim and early Torah sages, which were lost and forgotten, this is beneficial for the world, for through this, many books by heretics and blasphemers, may their names be blotted out, are lost, uprooted and erased. Also, through this is annulled jealousy and hatred (existing) between an upright couple who live in holiness.

7. Through a significant book that comes into the world, barren women conceive. A hint for this (Genesis 5:1): "This is the book of the offspring of man."