ssed be He!--often brings affliction on the righteous
though they have not sinned, in order that they may learn to keep aloof
from the allurements of the world and eschew temptation to sin. From
this it is plain that afflictions are good for man, and therefore our
Rabbis, of blessed memory, have said, "As men bless with joy and a
sincere heart for a benefit received, so likewise ought they joyfully to
bless God when He afflicts them, as, though the special blessing be
hidden from the children of men, such affliction is surely intended for
good.... Or most souls being at present in a state of transmigration,
God requites a man now for what his soul merited in a bypast time in
another body, by having broken some of the 613 precepts."

_Kitzur Sh'lu_, p. 6, col. 1.

Thus we have the rule: No one is perfect unless he has thoroughly
observed all the 613 precepts. If this be so, who is he and where is he
that has observed all the 613 precepts? For even the lord of the
prophets, Moses our Rabbi--peace be on him!--had not observed them all;
for there are four obstacles which hinder one from observing all: (1.)
There is the case of complete prevention, such as the law of the
priesthood, the precepts of which only priests can observe, and yet
these precepts are included in the 613. Besides, there are among the
number precepts appertaining to the Levites which concern neither
priests nor Israelites, and also others which are binding on Israelites
with which priests and Levites have nothing whatever to do. (2.) Then
there are impossible cases, as, for instance, when one cannot observe
the precept which enforces circumcision, because he has not a son to
circumcise. (3 and 4.) There are also conditional and exceptional cases,
as in the case of precepts having reference to the Temple and to the
land of Israel.

Ibid., p. 6, col. 2.

Therefore every Israelite is bound to observe only such of the 613
precepts as are possible to him; and such as he has not observed in
consequence of hindrances arising from unpreventable causes will be
reckoned to him as if actually performed.

Ibid.

The Yalkut Shimeoni, in true Rabbinical style, amplifies still
farther the license conceded in the above quotations. Rabbi
Eliezer says that the Israelites bewailed thus before God,
exclaiming, "We would fain be occupied night and day in the law,
but we have not the necessary leisure." Then the Holy
One--blessed be He!--said,