There is also a “holding-back” which is very bad. Examples of this are when a person holds himself back from teaching his friend. Go out and learn from that which Chazal said about the houses of Avtinas and Garmu and about Hagras ben Levi, that because they did not want to teach the secrets of making the face-bread (for the temple), the incense and writing the four letters of the Name of Hashem simultaneously, Chazal said about them that the verse “And the name of wicked people will rot!” applies to them. One who hears this will rip out his hair. They also said that anyone who can ask for mercy for his friend and does not do so, is called a sinner. Therefore, a person should strengthen himself, and any time that he can do something good for his friend whether big or small, he should do it. He should not hold back goodness, and in return Hashem will not hold back goodness from him, and he will merit much goodness in this world and in the world which is completely good.
