Book V - Snyder Bible

The Preaching of Simeon Kefa 199
for this end, that the human mind may be relaxed for a little
from cares and sorrows. See now what a charge you yourselves
bring upon the things which you practice. If these
things have been invented for the purpose of lightening sorrow
and affording enjoyment, how is it that the invocations of
demons are performed in groves and woods? What is the
meaning of the insane whirlings, and the slashing of limbs, and
the cutting off of members? How is it that mad rage is produced
in them? How is insanity produced? How is it that
women are driven violently, raging with disheveled hair?
Whence the shrieking and gnashing of teeth? Whence the bellowing
of the heart and the bowels, and all those things which,
whether they are pretended or are contrived by the ministration
of demons, are exhibited to the terror of the foolish and
ignorant? Are these things done for the sake of lightening the
mind, or rather for the sake of oppressing it? Do ye not yet
perceive nor understand that these are the counsels of the
serpent lurking within you, which draws you away from the
apprehension of truth by irrational suggestions of errors, that
he may hold you as slaves and servants of lust and obscenity
and every disgraceful thing?
Chapter XXXII: Obedience to Yahweh Calls to Sobriety and
Modesty.
But I protest to you with the clear voice of preaching, that,
on the contrary, obeying Yahwehs Torah calls you to sobriety
and modesty; orders you to refrain from effeminacy and madness,
and by patience and gentleness to prevent the inroads of
anger; to be content with your own possessions, and with the
virtue of frugality; not even when driven by poverty to plunder
the goods of others, but in all things to observe justice; to
withdraw yourselves wholly from the idol sacrifices, for by
these things you invite demons to you, and of your own accord
give them the power of entering into you; and so you admit
that which is the cause either of madness or of false love removed
from Torah.