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Shulchan Arukh, Yoreh De'ah 255
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Read the full text in the readerYoreh De'ah Siman 255
Yoreh De'ah Siman 255 is a source-text unit from the Shulchan Arukh with 2 seifim. Its reading map separates the practical rule, its conditions and the points that need comparison with the surrounding text.
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Look for a turn toward a more precise resolution, Shabbat law and sacred time, charity, care and communal responsibility. The source text remains the primary evidence; this note offers a structured way to enter it rather than replacing close reading.
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Original text
<b>להרחיק מקבלתה. ובו ב' סעיפים:</b><br>לעולם ירחיק אדם עצמו מהצדקה ויגלגל עצמו בצער שלא יצטרך לבריות וכן צוו חכמים עשה שבתך חול ואל תצטרך לבריות ואפי' היה חכם מכובד והעני יעסוק באומנות ואפי' באומנות מנוולת ואל יצטרך לבריות:
One should always avoid charity and rather roll in misery than to depend upon the help of man. And thus our Sages commanded, "Rather make thy Sabbath a week-day than be dependent on men." And even though he be scholarly and respectable, let him engage in some occupation, even an unpleasant occupation, so as not to need the help of man.
כל מי שאינו צריך ליטול מהצדקה ומרמה העם ונוטל אינו מת עד שיצטרך לבריות וכל מי שצריך ליטול ואינו יכול לחיות אלא אם כן יטול כגון זקן או חולה או בעל יסורין ומגיס דעתו ואינו נוטל הרי זה שופך דמים ומתחייב בנפשו ואין לו בצערו אלא עונות וחטאים וכל מי שצריך ליטול ומצער עצמו ודוחק את השעה וחי חיי צער כדי שלא יטריח על הצבור אינו מת עד שיפרנס אחרים ועליו הכתוב אומר ברוך הגבר אשר יבטח בה':
Whosoever is not in need of charity but deceives the public and takes it, will be in actual need before his days are ended. And whosoever is so much in need of charity that he cannot live unless he receive it—as, for instance, a man who is old or sick or in constant pain,—but takes none out of pride, is guilty of blood-shed and is responsible for his own life; so that he has nothing for his suffering, save punishment and sin. But, whosoever is in need of charity and suffers patiently and leads a pinched and humble life, so as not to become a burden to society, will live to help others some day; and it is with reference to such a person that the Bible says, "Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord."
English translation: Section on Charity, trans. Louis Feinberg. N.Y. School of Philanthropy, 1915 · Public Domain