Sefer HaMiddot, Vision/ספר המדות·ראיה

1The eye can see only what it is allowed to see. Even if the thing is right in front of him, a person won’t notice it until he is granted permission from on high to see it.

2The waning of the moon and its eclipse are damaging to those with weak vision.

3Sanctifying the new moon is a segulah for curing weak vision.

4Reciting Tikkun Chatzot is also a segulah for curing weak vision.

5Pain of the eyes comes because a person has made some vow.

6Imposters cause those whom they deceive to suffer pain of the eyes.

7When an important person suffers pain of the eyes, he should know that either his son or his student has committed some sin.

8Anyone who closes his eyes so as not to look at evil saves himself from humiliation.

9A person who is afraid of immoral thoughts because of the beautiful women he sees while out in the street should recite the verse: “Behold, the mighty ones will cry outside” (Isaiah 32:7). This will save him from wandering eyes.

10Staring at an etrog is a cure for pain of the eyes.

11When those with clear vision look at the knives used by ritual slaughterers, they can see the vessels of the Holy Temple.

12Those with clear vision can tell who a person’s Torah teacher is merely by looking at him, provided they already know what his teacher looks like. When a student learns the Torah’s laws from his teacher, his face takes on a resemblance to the one teaching him. This is because Halakhah is the wisdom that makes a person’s face shine (cf. Ecclesiastes 8:1). By receiving the law, he receives a portion of his appearance, their resemblance increasing with each additional law the student receives.

13Pain of the eyes is sometimes harmful.

14Stealing damages one’s vision.