Back to Sinai. The process begins Pirkei Avot with G-d giving us the . During the 40 days and 40 nights MOSHE KIBEIL TORAH MISINAI... Moshe Rabeinu spent on Har Sinai, he So begins the first mishna of the first RECEIVED the Torah from G-d. perek of Avot. Hence, Moshe KIBEIL Torah MiSinai. is called (among other The mishna continues, that Moshe things) Z'MAN MATAN TORATEINU, gave over the Torah to Yehoshua - the time of the giving of our Torah. and, we should add, to the whole Note well the different verbs. MATAN generation of the Midbar and the is the giving of (okay, it's a gerund younger generation who would soon noun but it comes from the verb). be entering Eretz Yisrael. KIBEIL is to receive. Big difference. The outline of the Chain of Trans- mission of the Torah, as described in At Sinai, HaShem gave us the Torah. Avot 1:1, the process was many Actually, He gave us the down pay- people of the earlier generation ment in the form of His verbal state- giving the Torah to the children and ments. The hard cop, engraved in students AND they receiving it. stone, didn't come to us until forty Torah is an issue of give and take, days later, when Moshe came down from parents to children, from from Har Sinai with the Luchot, but teachers to students. Children and he broke them because of Cheit students then grow to become HaEigel, the sin of the golden calf. parents and teachers of Torah, and We actually got the Luchot on the the give and take continues. original Yom Kippur - more than four months after the Sinai Experience. Pirkei Avot (and all of Mishna and , and more) is filled with And we didn't get the whole Torah in teachings our our great Tana'im - not written form until the end of the forty only to their children and students, years of wandering. but to of every generation from During much of the time between then until now, and beyond. hearing G-d at Sinai and getting the The official Chain is G-d to Moshe to Torah in hand, B'nei Yisrael spent a Yehoshua to the Z'keinim (Sho-f'tim) lot of time learning the mitzvot of the to the Nevi'im to the Anshei Knesset Torah and reviewing what they were HaGedola, and on. We are part of that taught. 'on'. The first time around, the back- Pirkei Avot ground is the Omer period, the time Some background... that Bnei Yisrael improved and grew from the depths of impurity in Egypt Somewhere in the past, the custom to be worthy of standing at Har Sinai developed to learn a chapter of to receive the Torah. In the spirit of Mesechet Avot each week between B’CHOL DOR VADOR, in every Pesach and Shavuot. Slight problem - generation..., we study Avot as a way there are 5 p’rakim in Avot and there of undergoing a similar self-improve- are six Shabbatot between Pesach ment, as did that first generation of and Shavuot. (In Israel, there can be the Jewish Nation. seven, but that’s another story.) A sixth chapter was formed from Then comes the second round that mishna-like writings known as happens to have a neutral back- B’raitot. Whereas the five chapters of ground or no specific background - Avot deal with ethical teachings for a take your pick. In the six weeks that good and proper life, the sixth follow Shavuot, we review the chapter focuses on Torah and the life teachings of Avot, let’s say, for their of those dedicated to . own value. The calendar is not This is particularly appropriate for focusing us in any particular the before Shavuot, the Auf direction. Ruf Shabbat of the People of Israel The third round of Avot is divided and HKB”H, so to speak. between the Three Weeks of Further down the line, the custom mourning the Churban, as well as the modified in some (many) communi- other tragic events that are also ties to continue learning a chapter associated with the period from 17 each Shabbat throughout the long Tammuz to Tish’a b’Av. When we days of summer. study the teachings of Avot this time, we cannot help but try to apply the We now read/learn Pirkei Avot each teaching to effect a TIKUN - repair - Shabbat from after Pesach until the of the various causes of the Churban Shabbat before Rosh HaShana. and tragedies. The second half of This allows us to learn through Avot Avot during that third round falls four times each year - with each time during the rest of the month of having a different background and Menachem Av, weeks of comfort and atmosphere. consolation. Thoughts of the destroyed Batei HaMikdash now This year, we are in sync throughout point us in the direction of the Geula the Avot period. - provided we internalize and apply the lessons of Avot towards the AVOT 1:2 improvement of each of us as zq¤ p¤k§ ix¥i¨X§ n¦ di¨d¨ wiC¦S© d© oFrn§ W¦ individuals and of all of us dW¨ lW§ lr© ,xn¥ F` di¨d¨ `Ed .dl¨ FcB§ d© collectively, as part of Klal Yisrael. lr© e§ dx¨FYd© lr© ,cn¥ Fr ml¨ Frd¨ mix¦a¨ c§ The fourth time we study Avot is :mic¦q¨ g£ zElin¦ B§ lr© e§ dc¨Far£d¨ during Elul. The approaching Yamim Shimon HaTzadik was one of the last survivors Nora’im become the backdrop for of the (K'NESET HAG'DOLA). He that review. used to say, Upon three things the world is based: upon the Torah, upon Divine service (AVODA), and Each different part of the calendar upon the practice of kindness (G'MILUT CHASADIM). colors the way we understand what Some commentaries see this teach- we are learning. ing of Shimon HaTzadik to mean - the It is interesting that the fourth time World was Created becuase of these around, in Elul, we do not have three things (that the Jewish People enough Shabbatot to do a perek each will do and live by). week, so we double up the last couple TORAH can be understood as the of weeks before Rosh HaShana. That learning of Torah and/or the practice adds a frenzied pace to our learning, of Mitzvot. which seems to fit with the Slichot We can them see the next two items period. in broad terms of those mitzvot that This year (5781), Shabbat Chazon is are between G-d and Jew, and of erev Tish'a b'Av, and the custom is Bein Adam LaChaveiro, Mitzvot NOT to learn a perek on that Shabbat. between people.

Some years find Israel and Chutz AVODA, service of G-d - korbanot in LaAretz out of sync for Pirkei Avot - the Beit HaMikdash, prayer at all either from the beginning, when times can represent the Mitzvot Pesach is Shabbat to Friday in Israel, between the Jew and G-d. and Shabbat to Shabbat in Chutz G'MILUT CHASADIM covers a wide LaAretz. And in some years, we get range of interpersonal mitzvot. out of sync because Shavuot is on We need to study and live by the Friday for us and Friday-Shabbat in Torah in all its facets. Chu"l. saying. Yes, there is Reward and Pirkei Avot Punishment in this world. Yes, one's mitzvot accrue reward, in this world Perek Rishon, Mishna 3 or the next, or both. But that should oFrn§ X¦ n¦ lA¥ w¦ FkFq Wi`¦ qFpb§ ih¦ p§`© not be one's motivation. Eid§ Y¦ l`© :xn¥ F` di¨d¨ `Ed .wiC¦S© d© One of the Rambam's 13 Principles is zp¨n§ lr© ax©d¨ z`¤ oiW¦ O§ W© n§ d© mic¦a¨ r£ M© our complete belief in Reward and mic¦a¨ r£ M© Eed¡ `N¨ `¤ ,qx¨R§ lA¥ w© l§ Punishment. And while fear of lA¥ w© l§ zp¨n§ lr© `ŸNW¤ ax©d¨ z`¤ oiW¦ O§ W© n§ d© punishment might be a deterrent .mk¤ il¥ r£ mi¦n«© W¨ `x¨Fn id¦ ie¦ ,qx¨R§ from sinning, thoughts of reward Antignos of Socho received the should not be our motivation to do tradition from Shimon HaTzadik. He mitzvot. used to say, Be not like servants who Belief that there is reward, but study minister to their master upon the Torah and do mitzvot - live a Torah condition of receiving a reward; but be like servants who minister to their Life - because that Is what the master without the condition of Master of the Universe wants from receiving a reward; and let the fear of us. Heaven be upon you. A friend shared this quote with me, Reviewing this Mishna, a story about when we discussed what I was Willie Mays came to mind. (If you writing about in the Avot column: don't know who Willie Mays is and “Never do for money what you would was, either Google him or just skip not do for nothing.” this paragraph. It is said that in 1951, his first season in Major League Not exactly the same as what Baseball, when he received his first Antignos was saying, but the senti- paycheck, he exclaimed (something ment is reflected in what motivates like) You mean I get paid for this also. us.

I feel personally blessed, and I thank The Baal Shem Tov is quoted as G-d for it, that I have separated my saying: S'CHAR MITZVA, SIMCHAT teaching career from any paycheck I MITZVA - the reward of a mitzva is received for it. Money was not the the joy one derives from doing the reason I have been teaching for over mitzva. Even though mitzvot are 70 years, in one form or another. officially not given to us for joy or any other benefit, Imchat Mitzva is I think that this is what Antignos was definitely a bonus. I must repeat - because of the serious misunderstanding that two of Antingnos's students had (with devastating effect on Jewish History) - that there is definitely Reward and Punishment, and Antignos was not suggesting otherwise. He was addressing the issue of motivation. by commentators - it either refers to Pirkei Avot the individual who chooses the path Israel and Chutz LaAretz have been of Torah, or it refers to G-d as the out of sync Pirkei Avot-wise since OSEHA - to Him who makes it. their second day of Shavuot and our There is a variant reading of the regular Shabbat that followed our one mishna for the word L'OSEHA - day of Shavuot. L'OSEH, to the one who does. This week, we read/learn the second Leaving aside small grammatical perek and in Chutz LaAretz, they issues with the wording of Rabi's double up and read/learn 1 & 2. statement, we can combine the That will leave Ki Tavo with 3 & 4 for different opinions into one concept. all of us and 5 & 6 for Nitzavim-Vayei- A person (a Jew) should choose a lech. And that's it for the Pirkei Avot path in life that is pleasing and season that began right after Pesach. honorable to G-d, to other people, By the time RH rolls around, we will and to himself. have learned four cycles of Avot. Bnei Reuven and Gad needed to fulfill Noteworthy is the fact that during Elul their oaths in order to be 'clean' in we step up the learning by doubling up G-d's eyes and in Israel's. twice or thrice, as the case may be. It give us the experience of going into It is not enough to strick to the strict high gear as the Yamim Nora'im letter of halacha. One's behavior approach. must always conform with the dictates of Torah and Mitzvot - with a The opening words of Rabi (R' Yehuda pleasant, healthy attitude. HaNasi) in Avot 2:1 are - Torah, Service of HaShem, and Fl xFaI¨W¤ dx¨W¨ i§ Kx¤c¤ id¦ Ffi`¥ ,xn¥ F` iA¦ x© G'milut Chasadim are the pillars of d¨ iU¤ Frl§ zx¤`¤ t§ z¦ `id¦ W¤ lŸM ,mc¨`¨ d¨ the world. .mc¨`¨ d¨ on¦ Fl zx¤`¤ t§ z¦ e§ Satisfying G-d (so to speak) and Rabi said, Which is the right course being admired among one's fellows is that a man should choose for wonderful, but it is only 2/3 of the himself? That which is an honor to challenge for each of us. We each him who does it, and which also must be happy with ourselves. Each brings him honor from mankind. aspect of this challenge sometimes The word L'OSEHA (to him who does takes different feelings, thoughts, it) is interpreted two different ways and actions. and help our fellow Jews to do the Pirkei Avot same. We are definitely not expected to 'finish the job', but we are definite- Perek BET, Mishna 16 (partial) ly not allowed to stop trying. dk¨ `l¨ O§ d© Lil¤ r¨ `Ÿl ,xn¥ F` di¨d¨ `Ed The same goes for the return of the .dP¨O¤ n¦ lh¥ A¨ l¦ oix¦Fg oa¤ dY¨ `© `Ÿle§ ,xFnb§ l¦ Jewish People to Eretz Yisrael. This He (Rabi Tarfon) used to say: It is not means personal Aliya and it also up to you to finish the job, nor are you means doing what we can to free to stop doing the work. encourage our family and friends who are still in the Diaspora to include The Rambam, in Hilchot M'lachim, Aliya in the priorities. It also means describes the three main tasks of strengthening ourselves and our Melech HaMashi'ach - the tasks children, family, and friends who are whose completion will establish for in Israel, so as to enhance the k'lita us the certainty that the individual in (absorption) into Israeli life. Rabi question is truly the Mashi'ach. Tarfon was right on the mark with They are: The restoration of the this task, as well. We cannot expect Torah to the Jewish People, the to complete the job - that's the return of the Jewish People to the Mashi'ach's job. But we must work Land of Israel, and the building of the hard towards Mashi'ach's goals. This Beit HaMikdash. will hopefully hasten his coming. Each on of these tasks of the As to building the Beit HaMikdash - Mashia'ch can and must be begun that's his job. But we can get ready and worked on by us, the Jewish for the Beit HaMikdash. We can learn People and by us, each individual about the mitzvot which are now Jew. dormant and which will be restored in the Messianic era. We can - and do - Let's apply Rabi Tarfon's words: We prepare for the Beit HaMikdash with are challenged in our lives to increase the making of vessels and garments - our own Torah learning and Mitzvot to the best of our knowledge, that observance - it is an ongoing, can be used in the next Mikdash. We dynamic process, that each Jew all don't do this aspect personally, should undertake, on his own level. but we should know that it is being This challenge continues with trying done. And it is exciting. The Temple our best to inspire, instill, encourage, Institute for one. Yeshivot for kohanim to study Temple service. And our job as individuals is to prepare ourselves educationally and psychologically, for the coming of the Mashi'ach and the restoration of the and Mikdash and every- thing that is related.

We yearn and pray for the Geula Sh'leima, but we cannot sit on our hands, as the expression goes. LO ALECHA HAM'LACHA LIGMOR, AVAL LO ATA BEN CHORIN LIBATEIL MIMENA. With a source in Yerushalmi, Pirkei Avot the difference looks like this: Perek Sheini, Mishna 17 When a person passes away, his aia¦ g¨ Lx§a¥ g£ oFnn¨ id¦ i§ :xn¥ F` iq¥ Fi iA¦ x© estate goes automatically to his cFnl§ l¦ Ln§ v§ r© ow¥ z§ d© e§ .KN¨ W¤ M§ Li«l¤ r¨ heirs. Whether they are ready for it or LiU«¤ r£ n© lk¨ e§ .Kl¨ dX¨ xªi§ Dp¨i`¥ W¤ ,dx¨FY not. Whether they deserve it or not. It .mi¦n«¨ W¨ mW¥ l§ Eid§ i¦ is automatic. That's YERUSHA and that's what Rabi Yosi says the Torah Rabi Yosi said, Let the property of your is not. fellow-man be as dear to you as your own; qualify yourself for the study of In the passing down of a heritage or the Torah, since the knowledge of it is legacy - a MORASHA - the heirs have not an inheritance of yours; and let all a claim to that which is passed down, your deeds be done for the sake of but whether they actually possess it, Heaven. depends on them. The Torah is the R' Yosi made three statements; I'd legitimate heritage for the Jewish like to focus on the second of the People, and no one else. But each three: Jew has to want and work towards holding on to Torah. If one deserves qualify yourself for the study of the it, he will have made the Torah his Torah, since the knowledge of it is not an inheritance of yours; own. But if one does not work properly to make it his own - through Not an inheritance? What about - Torah learning and practice, then it is TORAH TZIVA LANU MOSHE, not his on a silver platter. MORASHA K'HILOT YAAKOV (D'varim There is one other thing that the 33:4) - The Torah that Moshe Torah calls a MORASHA. And the commanded us is a legacy for the same guidelines apply. Sh'mot 6:8 - congregation of Yaakov. "I will bring you to the land regarding Legacy is something inherited from a which I raised My hand, [swearing] predecessor; a heritage. that I would give it to Avraham, The Mishna says that Torah is not an Yitzchak and Yaakov; I will give it to inheritance. The Torah says it is a you as a MORASHA - I am God." heritage or legacy. The Land of Israel has been given to Same thing? No. us - and to no other nation. But in order for it to really be our heritage, our legacy, our MORASHA, we must deserve it. We must work hard for it. It should go without saying that we must be here. Torah and Eretz Yisrael. That's the whole story. are you going? to a place of dust, Pirkei Avot worms and maggots; and before whom will you in the future have to Finally, all Avot-learning Jews will give account and reckoning? Before have the same p'rakim this Shabbat the Supreme King of kings, the Holy and next - the final two Shabbatot of One, blessed be He. 5780. Doubling up is not just the way to One famous question on this mishna complete the fourth cycle of Avot; it is the asking of the questions, and also speaks to the urgency of using then repeating the questions with Elul well as a preparation for the answers. Seems unnecessarily wordy. Yamim Nora'im, which a very close. But it is not. Because before hearing what Akavya had to say, we are given The mishnayot of Avot are probably a chance to ponder the questions on the most well-known mishnayot of our own. The union of a sperm and an SHAS. And the first mishna of Perek egg and the grave is one way to look Gimel might be the best known of the at the questions. mishnayot in Avot, because we hear them at funerals, often repeated a But so is - what kind of home and few times. background did I come from? To where am I going with that back- lM¥ Y© q§ d¦ :xn¥ F` l`¥ l§ l© d£n© oA¤ `i¨a§ w© r£ ground? It is what a person does with ic¥il¦ `a¨ dY¨ `© oi`¥ e§ mix¦a¨ c§ dW¨ ŸlW§ A¦ his life - between his origin, however ,Kl¥ Fd dY¨ `© o`¨ l§ E ,z¨ `A«¨ oi¦`«© n¥ rC© .dx¨a¥ r£ one interprets MEI-AYIN BATA and .oFAW§ g¤ e§ oiC¦ oY¥ l¦ ciz¦ r¨ dY¨ `© in¦ ip¥t§ l¦ e§ where he ends up in life, again how- dY¨ `© o`¨ l§ E ,dg¨ Exq§ dR¨H¦ n¦ ,z¨ `A«¨ oi¦`«© n¥ ever you understand that - that a ip¥t§ l¦ e§ .dr¨ l¥ Fze§ dO¨ x¦ xt¨r¨ mFwn§ l¦ ,Kl¥ Fd person will give an account and be ip¥t§ l¦ ,oFAW§ g¤ e§ oiC¦ oY¥ l¦ ciz¦ r¨ dY¨ `© in¦ judged after 120 years. .`Ed KExA¨ WFcT¨ d© mik¦ l¨ O§ d© ik¥ l§ n© Kl¤ n«¤ From where? A religious home, a Akavya, the son of Mahalalel, said, non-religious home, Brooklyn, Reflect upon three things, and you poverty, wealth... Lots of ways to will not come within the power of sin: understand 'from where you came'. know from where you came, to where So too with 'to where are you going?' you are going, and before whom you A Torah life, happy family, Aliya, will in future have to give account values... We are challenged variously and reckoning. From where did you in this life. And the ultimate question is how we'll be judged by The Judge. come? From a fetid drop; to where The second mishna of Perek Dalet Azzai's words that the reward for says: doing a mitzva is the joy of doing a mitzva. ,dN¨ w© de¨v§ n¦ l§ ux¨ ie¥d¡ :xn¥ F` i`G©r© oA¤ ,de¨v§ n¦ zx¤x«¤FB de¨v§ O¦ W¤ .dx¨a¥ r£d¨ on¦ g© x«¥FaE This implies that our main motivation de¨v§ n¦ xk© V§ W¤ ,dx¨a¥ r£ zx¤x«¤Fb dx¨a¥ r£e© for doing mitzvot is AHAVAT .dx¨a¥ r£ dx¨a¥ r£ xk© U§ E ,de¨v§ n¦ HASHEM, Love of G-d. Motivated only be fear, or observing mitzvot on Ben Azzai said, Run to do even a automatic pilot, will not necessarily slight mitzva, and flee from lead to the real SIMCHA that one can transgression; for one good deed find being an EVED HASHEM, a draws another good deed in its train, servant of G-d. Not a slave, but a and one sin, another sin; for the happy and content servant who loves reward of a good deed is a good deed, his Master. and the wages of sin is sin. Approaching Rosh HaShana, Aseret In the first mishna of Perek Bet, Rabi Y'mei T'shuva, and Yom Kippur, one said that one should be enthusiastic can find it easier to operate in the to do a light mitzva like a heavy one, fear mode. But that is selling oneself because we don't know 'how G-d short. Yes, Yir'at HaShem is essential keeps score'. Earlier (1:3), Antignos - and perhaps first (but not necessar- taught that we should serve G-d as a ily so), but Ahavat HaShem is such a servant who is not doing what he higher spiritual goal and a great does for the reward... incentive to improve oneself. Ben Azzai, Rabi, and Antignos are not Not easily accomplished. That's one saying the same thing, but the of the reasons that Sukkot, Z'man common factor is to be enthusiastic Simchateinu, comes so soon after in the performance of all mitzvot - big Yom Kippur. or small. However, we should remember the Eagerly observing mitzvot leads to a last mishna in Taanit that tells us that life of mitzvot. Sin, on the other hand, there was no greater joyous day than leads one down the path of sin. Yom Kippur (and TU b'Av). In Ben Azzai's words, the reward for RH and YK combine joy and trepida- doing a mitzva is the opportunity to tion. We must find the right balance do more mitzvot, and to become a between the two emotions. Maybe Torah & Mitzvot person. the keys are to be emotional and not The Baal Shem Tov added to Ben be like automatons. But a closer reading of the words in Pirkei Avot the Mishna now seem to be saying AVOT 3:3 something else, something more. mi¦«p©W§ :xn¥ F` oFic§x©Y§ oA¤ `p¨ip¦g£ iA¦ x© Two people who are sitting together ix¥d£ ,dx¨Fz ix¥a§ C¦ od¤ ip¥iA¥ oi`¥ e§ oia¦ W§ FIW¤ and each one is learning Torah, yet miv¦ l¥ aW© Fna§ E :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,miv¦ l¥ aW© Fn df¤ there is no Torah interchanged Wi¥e§ oia¦ W§ FIW¤ mi¦«p©W§ la¨ `£ .aW¨ i¨ `Ÿl between them, this is a MOSHAV LEITZIM. Yes, each one is engrossed di¨ExW§ dp¨ik¦ W§ ,dx¨Fz ix¥a§ C¦ md¤ ip¥iA¥ in Torah learning. And even if they are Wi`¦ i¨i§ i`¥ x§i¦ ExA§ c§p¦ f`¨ :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,md¤ ip¥ia¥ learning different texts or topics, xt¤ q«¥ az¥ M¨ I¦e© ,rn¨ W§ I¦e© i¨i§ aW¥ w§ I©e© ,Edr«¥ x¥ l`¤ they each should be enthused and oi`¥ .FnW§ ia¥ W§ Ÿgl§ E i¨i§ i`¥ x§i¦l§ ,eip¨t¨l§ oFxM¨ f¦ excited by what they are learning, to cg¨ `¤ Elit¦ `£W¤ oi¦«P©n¦ ,mi¦«p©W§ `N¨ `¤ il¦ want to share a Torah word or idea KExA¨ WFcT¨ d© W¤ ,dx¨FYA© wq¥ Fre§ aW¥ FIW¤ with the other. Sometimes, it could cc¨A¨ aW¥ i¥ :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,xk¨ U¨ Fl r© a«¥ Fw `Ed be a question whose answer one of .eil¨ r¨ lh© p¨ iM¦ mŸCi¦e§ them seeks, or a clarification of a R' Chananya, the son of T'radyon, said, If two sit point, that can result in an inter- together and interchange no words of Torah, they are change. a meeting of scoffers, concerning whom it is said, The godly man sits not in the seat of the scoffers; but if If they are both so absorbed in their two sit together and interchange words of Torah, the own learning that it is as if the other Divine Presence abides between them; as it is said, Then they that feared HaShem spoke one with the isn't there, or worse, if the one does other: and HaShem hearkened and heard, and a book not consider the other worthy of of remembrance was written before him, for them discussing a Torah point - then they that feared HaShem, and that thought upon his might as well each be alone. Their Name. Now, the Scripture enables me to draw this inference in respect to two persons; from where can it sitting together is considered a be deduced that if even one person sedulously MOSHAV LEITZIM. occupies himself with the Torah, the Holy One, blessed be he, appoints unto him a reward? Because TOVIM HASH'MAYIM MIN HA-ECHAD it is said, Though he sit alone, and meditate in - two are (often) better than one. This stillness, yet he takes it (the reward) upon him. points to the value of a chavruta, a At first glance, the Mishna seems to study partner. And even if this is not be saying that two people who sit an ongoing relationship, sharing of together and are not occupied with Torah between two people is a Torah learning, they constitute a precious thing, to be utilized and MOSHAV LEITZIM, a mini-group of appreciated. It is nice to learn some- time wasters. thing on your own & from each other. creatures. A physical necessity. How- Pirkei Avot ever, it is our challenge to inject and invest in things as basic as eating, Perek Gimel, Mishna Dalet lr© Elk§ `¨ W¤ dW¨ŸlW§ :xn¥ F` oFrn§ W¦ iA¦ x© with a spiritual dimension. ,dx¨Fz ix¥a§ C¦ eil¨ r¨ Exn§ `¨ `Ÿle§ cg¨ `¤ og¨ l§ Wª Let's take bread as an example. It is iM¦ :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,miz¦ n¥ ig¥ a§ G¦n¦ Elk§ `¨ EN`¦ M§ the Staff of Life. True. But Man does .mFwn¨ il¦ A§ d`¨Ÿv `iw¦ E`l§ n¨ zFpg¨ l§ Wª lM¨ not live by bread alone... Also true. cg¨ `¤ og¨ l§ Wª lr© Elk§ `¨ W¤ dW¨ŸlW§ la¨ `£ Therefore, Torah and Mitzvot guide Elk§ `¨ EN`¦ M§ ,dx¨Fz ix¥a§ C¦ eil¨ r¨ Exn§ `¨ e§ us in the growing of crops - no xA¥ c©i§e© :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,mFwn¨ lW¤ Fpg¨ l§ Xª n¦ melacha on Shabbat; no plowing with .'d ip¥t§ l¦ xW¤ `£ og¨ l§ Xª d© df¤ ,il© `¥ an ox and a donkey together; no R. Simeon said, If three have eaten at a muzzling an animal when it is working table and have spoken there no words of with food; the care for the less Torah, it is as if they had eaten of fortunate in our society with several sacrifices to dead idols, of whom it is gifts to the poor from our fields. said, For all their tables are full of vomit T'ruma for the Kohein; Maaser for the and filthiness; the All-present is not (in Levi; Maaser Ani for the poor; Maaser their thoughts). But if three have eaten for us to eat in holiness... We process at a table and have spoken there words our grain into flour, mix it with water of Torah, it is as if they had eaten at the and other ingredients - take challa table of the All-present, to which the from the dough, then bake it. Scripture may be applied. And he said unto me, This is the table that is before Done? Not even close. Wash for the Lord. HaMotzi, b'racha. B'racha on the bread. Benching after a meal. Spiritual is spiritual and physical is physical - right? WRONG. Not in All this is the spirituality we add to Torah Judaism. Physical is also the physical act of eating. spiritual. Or maybe a better way to Not to eat gluttonously. Strict adher- put it is, Physical is physical AND ence to the laws and practices of spiritual. kashrut. Even table manners are part That idea is certainly what makes of halacha. humans different from animals. But it And the Divrei Torah at a meal rounds also makes Jews different from other out our challenge to raise the mere humans. act of eating into a way to serve Food is a necessity of all living HaShem. ANd enjoy our food, too. must be part of the Torah in which we Pirkei Avot are engrossed as we walk on the 'road of life'. Perspectives on the Study of Nature The study of nature, of the life We in Israel read/learn the 3rd perek sciences, needs a very special of Avot this Shabbat. In Chutz perspective. On the one hand, to view LaAretz, they have the 3rd perek next nature as something different from week. Let's look at the 9th mishna G-d is problematic. It short changes (some texts number the mishnayot G-d. This attitude manifests itself differently). This mishna is some- with making a sharp distinction times attributed to a R' Yaakov. between Limudei Kodesh and Limudei R' Shimon says: He who walks on the Chol - studying holy matters and road and is reviewing (his Torah mundane matters. The Torah way of learning in his mind), and stops his life does not recognize the pursuit of learning and says - How beautiful is any area of knowledge as being this tree, how beautiful is this field - outside the Jew's lifetime challenge the verse considers him to have put of Knowing G-d, better and better. his life in jeopardy. This, says the Rambam, leads to a The obvious question is what is so deeper and richer Love of G-d. terrible about admiring a tree or a When one studies biology or field while walking on the road? The chemistry or physics or astronomy... admiration of nature is the (any topic, really), he should close the admiration of G-d's World. We even part of his mind and heart that is have brachot for different elements reserved for Torah Learning, and of nature. open up a different part for other The standard explanation is that disciplines. A beloved biology when one is engrossed in Torah professor I was privileged to have for study, nothing should cause him to several courses at University interrupt himself - even the beauties - Dr. William Etkin z"l - said to us of nature. Studying Torah is above all. once, a Torah person's mind must always be open (he would have said There is another way to understand 24/7, but that phrase wasn't popular this mishna. The key words to this yet) and everything that he learns, understanding is UMAFSIK MIMISH- sees, experiences, should be seen NATO, and he stops his learning to within a Torah perspective. admire nature. Admiration of nature The above touches on one side of this matter into energy every second as a issue. MAFSIK MIMISHNATO is prob- result... Wow, look at what G-d lematic. created - that's fine. What does G-d have to do with the Sun which formed There is another side of the study and about 4,600,000,000 years ago from admiration of nature, that is just as the collapse of part of a giant problematic. molecular cloud that consisted When admiration of nature, of the mostly of hydrogen and helium and Sun and the Moon, of lofty mountains that probably gave birth to many and magnificent animals and trees, other stars. - that's the problem! leads to veneration and worship. This is the dire concern Moshe Rabeinu Study of nature can and has led some expresses in the beginning of next people and societies to forget about week's sedra (Va'etchanan) about the one G-d and worship many other seeing various impressive elements things. Study of nature has led other of G-d's Creation, and either making people and societies to leave G-d to the grave mistake of worshiping the spiritual matters in the world (if them, even in the misguided thinking that) and consider nature as we know that it is a way to serve and worship it and are still learning about, to have G-d. nothing to do with G-d at all. If a person is rightly impressed with Wikipedia's entry on the Sun is huge. the Sun (for example), its light, I did a search for God in the entry - warmth, energy, life-force, and this gods and goddesses were mentioned leads to Sun-worship (as it did in numerous times in the article. Not generations of long ago), then that is G-d as Creator of All. a very serious situation, to say the If the study and admiration of nature least. is so fraught with pitfalls for the But being equally impressed with the G-d-fearing person, may it be better Sun as a ball of fiery plasma with not to study nature. internal convective motion that No, says the Navi Yeshayahu in next creates a magnetic field... that it is week's haftara of Nachamu. He says, 109 times the diameter of the Earth S'U MAROM EINEICHEM UR-U MI and 330,000 times as massive... The VARA EILEH..., lift your eyes Sun currently fuses about 600 million heavenward and see (and understand tons of hydrogen into helium every and appreciate) Who created it all. second, converting 4 million tons of created in the image of G-d. So are all Pirkei Avot human beings. This idea puts us first into the human race as different from AVOT 3:18 the rest of the animal kingdom. It `x¨a§ P¦W¤ mc¨`¨ aia¦ g¨ :xn¥ F` di¨d¨ `Ed give us privilege and responsibility. `x¨a§ P¦W¤ Fl zr© c«©Fp dx¨z¥ i§ dA¨ g¦ ,ml¤ v«¤ a§ And it also gives us a common factor dU¨ r¨ mid¦ Ÿl'`¡ ml¤ v«¤ A§ iM¦ :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,ml¤ v«¤ a§ with our fellow humans. This is E`x§w§ P¦W¤ l`¥ x¨U§ i¦ oia¦ ia¦ g£ .mc¨`¨ d¨ z`¤ something we should never forget. md¤ l¨ zr© c«©Fp dx¨z¥ i§ dA¨ g¦ ,mFwO¨ l© mip¦a¨ But as Jews, we are especially loved mip¦A¨ :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,mFwO¨ l© mip¦a¨ E`x§w§ P¦W¤ by G-d - because we are His chosen l`¥ x¨U§ i¦ oia¦ ia¦ g£ .mk¤ id¥Ÿl'`¡ 'dl© mY¤ `© people and His children. And because dx¨z¥ i§ dA¨ g¦ ,dC¨n§ g¤ il¦ M§ md¤ l¨ oY© P¦W¤ He gave us the Torah. These two last ,dC¨n§ g¤ il¦ M§ md¤ l¨ oY© P¦W¤ md¤ l¨ zr© c«©Fp items are probably entwined. We are iz¦ x¨FY ,mk¤ l¨ iY¦ z«© p¨ aFh gw©«l¤ iM¦ :xn© `¡P¤W¤ His children because of the commit- .EaŸf« r£Y© l`© ment to Torah. And because of the He used to say, Beloved is man, for he was Torah, we are His children. created in the image of God; but it was by The issue of CHAVIVIN and CHIBA a special love that it was make known to Y'TEIRA - a love and a greater love - him that he was created in the image of this is true in our relationship with God; as it is said, For in the image of God G-d and it is so in the various made He man. Beloved are Israel, for they relationships we have with each were called children of the All-present; but other. Spouses, parents and children, it was by a special love that it was made siblings, friends - wherever there is known to them that they were called CHIBA between people, we each children of the All-present; as it is said, should turn it into a CHIBA Y'TEIRA, a You are children unto HaShem your God. greater love, by telling the others Beloved are Israel, for unto them was given (often) that we love them and that the desirable instrument; but it was by a they are loved. That's one of the special love that it was made known to things we learn from HaShem and His them that that desirable instrument was treatment of us, His loving and loved theirs, through which the world was children. created; as it is said, For I give you good doctrine; forsake you not My Law. Let's put it all together. We, the Jewish People are human beings, So too, to greet street cleaners (Jew Pirkei Avot and non-Jew) and store keepers. And many more people. Avot 4:20 miC¦w§ n© ie¥d¡ :xn¥ F` Wx¨g¨ oA¤ `i¨z§ n© iA¦ x© It is amazing how just a simple l`© e§ ,zFix¨`£l© ap¨f¨ ie¥d¡e¤ .mc¨`¨ lM¨ mFlW§ A¦ gesture like that can put a smile on .mil¦ r¨ EWl§ W`Ÿx id¦ Y§ someone's face. And maybe even help to 'make someone's day'. R. Matya, the son of Cheresh, said, It doesn't always work well, but it is Be beforehand in the salutation of worth the try. SHALOM to all people; And if you don't get the first and be rather a tail to lions than a head greeting, be sure to answer the one to foxes. you get. BOKER TOV, gets a BOKER Seems to be two separate teachings. OHR as a response. Shalom Aleichem, of course, gets and Aleichem Shalom. This might not work in certain countries outside of Israel. Sad, but Getting of the bus or out of a taxi, true. leaving a store (with or without purchases) - wish people a YOM TOV But let's look at the first teaching as or a YOM NA'IM. EREV TOV, if it is applicable when one lives in Eretz that time of day. Yisrael. It is nice to receive a reply to one's I remember in my early days in Israel, greeting that goes a step further. I was walking with my 5 year old daughter. A man was coming down SHABBAT SHALOM is often met with the street, and as we passed each a SHABBAT SHALOM UMVORACH. other, I said SHALOM. Sometimes, just UMVORACH.

My daughter asked with a puzzled I remember Reb Yaakov Umlas z"l, expression, if I knew the man. I told who would answer an AGUTEN her no, but that he was a fellow Jew SHABBIS with a BESSEREN. Have a and why should we not greet him. good Shabbat - Have a better Shabbat. Over the 40 years of our Aliya, I have made it a habit to say BOKER TOV to Greeting one's neighbors and any bus drivers, SHALOM to security fellow Jew is a good reminder that guards in front of stores and building. KOL YISRAEL CHAVEIRIM. ones are grandparents.) As to the second teaching, a memory comes to mind. Sorry for the long background story, but... Way back in a previous life, I taught Junior High level in a Yeshiva day One such former student came into school in Queens, NY. I taught my office and reminded my that he Limudei Kodesh (Jewish Studies) and was one of the borderliners. He was math, science, and introduction to in a real quandary. Should he opt for computers. the non-regents class, in which he would shine as a top student and For the 8th graders, we had two breeze through the year with little levels of math - regular 8th grade effort. math and a faster track which was called Grade Eight Regents Math - Or should he opt to become a GERM GERM, for short. One third of the and face real hard work and class- students took regular 8th grade mates who were stronger students math; two thirds were GERMS (S for than he. students). I quoted this Mishna to him and The students were divided at the recommended that he become a tail beginning of the school year and they of the GERMS and not the head of the (and we, their teachers) had until foxes. He took my advice, did pretty Chanuka to re-evaluate the border- well, got a good start on High School line students, which resulted in math, and thanked me these many switching levels for some - in either years later for helping him decide. direction. It's usually, a good piece of advice. Fast forward to my life as a educator But, be warned - it doesn't work for in informal adult education and as everyone. editor of Torah Tidbits and now, With that said, you have a mishna PhiloTorah. Over the years, former from each of the two p'rakim for this students - either Olim, themselves, or Shabbat. We left ourselves three visitors, would pop in to say Hello, do Shabbatot to go through the six you remember me? And I usually did chapter Pirkei Avot, necessitating remember. our doubling up to finish this fourth (The youngest of my former students cycle before Rosh HaShana. are in their forties; some of the older ment plan. Pirkei Avot A person who thinks only of now, AVOT 4:19 wants to get paid as much as he can, without his thinking about retire- ze©l§ X© n¦ `Ÿl Epic«¥i¨A§ oi`¥ :xn¥ F` i`P©i© iA¦ x© ment. .miw¦ iC¦S© d© ix¥EQI¦n¦ `Ÿl s`© e§ mir¦ W¨ x§d¨ Why does that person take home a R. Yannai said, It is not in our power to larger weekly wage than I do, if I work explain either the prosperity of the wicked just as hard or even more? or the afflictions of the righteous. The answer is often the benefits, TZADIK V'RA LO; RASHA V'TOV LO. which reduce the take-home pay, but Here's a righteous person who has will be a greater benefit in the future. suffering during his life; and there is If we really believe in Olam HaBa, a wicked person who seems to have a Olam HaEmet, then question of good life. TZADIK V'RA LO; RASHA V'TOV LO, This is another way of putting R' can be explained and understood. Yanni's statement. But not completely. And that's I might suggest that we can under- frustrating sometimes. It doesn't stand this phenomenon at little bit, seem fair that good people some- but not completely. times have a tougher life than not so A major factor in trying to good people. understand R' Yannai's statement is Belief in G-d and the Worlds He our firm belief in the World to Come. created for us should take the sting If this world were all that there was, out the question. It won't always be a them it would make no sense that satisfactory answer, but we always wicked people sometimes have a need to be humble and accept that better life than righteous people. we are finite, and that only HKB"H is infinite. But with the belief that mitzvot are rewarded in this world and/or in the This is part of the meaning of ANI world to come, and than sin is MAAMIN B'EMUNA SH'LEIMA... I punished in this world and the next believe with a complete faith... one - it begins to make sense. Perhaps, no to, is thinking too much A famous analogy to this a worker's of oneself and too little of G-d - or a salary and benefits, especially, retire- bit of both. and add you to the list of people to be Pirkei Avot angry with. Perek R'vi'i, Mishna 23 After the initial burst of anger, the dS¤ x©Y§ l`© :xn¥ F` xf¨r¨ l§ `¤ oA¤ oFrn§ W¦ iA¦ x© one who holds onto the anger is dis- Edn«¥ g£p©Y§ l`© e§ ,Fqr§ M© zr© W§ A¦ Lx§a¥ g£ z`¤ playing a very bad character trait and l`© W§ Y¦ l`© e§ ,eip¨t¨ l§ lH¨ nª FzO¥ W¤ dr¨ W¨ A§ he must learn to rein it in. Then, perhaps, you as a good friend and FzF`x§l¦ lC¥Y© W§ Y¦ l`© e§ ,Fxc§p¦ zr© W§ A¦ Fl sensitive person, can help the person .Fzl¨ w¨ l§ w© zr© W§ A¦ calm down. This takes skills, which Rabi Shimon ben Elazar, says, not everyone possess. Part of being Do not appease your fellow in the hour sensitive is getting the timing right, of his anger, not dismissing the anger as not warranted, and not patronizing the and do not comfort him not in the hour angry person. when his dead lies before him, and do not challenge him in the hour of One of my least favorite scenes in his vow, movies and TV shows, is when someone parts the other on the back and strive not to see him in the hour of and says, "It's all right." Because, at his disgrace. the moment, it isn't all right. Want it in two words? On the comforting a grieving person, there is a reason that NICHUM BE SENSITIVE AVEILIM, comforting a mourner, does not begin until after the funeral and A bit more? burial. Beforehand, at the moment of Be sensitive to others, especially greatest grieve, attempted comfort- when they are most vulnerable and ing is usually highly insensitive. stressed. On the third point, I had an A very wise and teacher, taught experience many years ago, when I that the first burst of anger of a over-teased an individual and she person, is natural and not sinful. And pro- claimed in anger - I'll never maybe R' Shimon is telling us to back speak to you again. To which I away and don't try to calm your angry responded - say B'LI NEDER. To friend right away. That will most which she responded - No, I will not often backfire and feed the anger, say B"N. I thus violated the third point of R' Shimon's and it took a while to repair the damage.

As to the fourth teaching - no matter how great a friendship is, people do not like to be seen at the moment of their humiliation. As to all of the above, in addition to being sensitive, one needs great patience and insight to know when to say something and when not to. There is so much more to be said about this Mishna, but hopefully, enough was said here to start the mind and heart rolling in sync with each other. If you've counted, there are 8 Pirkei Avot VAYOMER ELOKIMs. That makes 9 The first mishna in Avot ch.5 states: Divine sayings. With ten (Divine) Sayings, the world As to the 10th saying, there are three was created... candidates. Most often (with some exceptions) B'reishit 1:29, VAYOMER ELOKIM... when the mishna says there is a list whereby He gives humans dominance of a certain number of items, we do over nature. This too can be seen as not find the list itself in the mishna. part of Creation of the World - since without this Divine statement, we Commentaries provide us with the would't survive for too long. list. Or - 1:28, And G-d blessed them (the Number 1 on this list is B'REISHIT humans), VAYOMER LAHEM BARA ELOKIM EIT HASHAMAYIM ELOKIM... be fruitful and multiply... V'EIT HAARETZ. This is counted as a this can be seen as the climax of MAAMAR (Divine saying) based on Creation, by giving humans (and all the pasuk in T'hilim (33:6) - BIDVAR animals) the ability to procreate, so HASHEM SHAMAYIM NAASU... By that the world continues to exist. the word of G-d were the heavens G-d's Creation has 9 statements and made; And all the host of them by the the 10th allows the world to continue breath of His mouth. to exist. This deviates slightly from After this slightly oblique first item, the format of VAYOMER ELOKIM. we are told that the rest of the list Close enough. consists of the easier to find Divine Or - 2:18, VAYOMER HASHEM sayings. They would begin with ELOKIM... it is not good that ADAM VAYOMER ELOKIM... And G-d said... should be alone... This, of course, led We find VAYOMER ELOKIM... let to the formation of WOMEN, the there be light, Raki'a amidst the culmination of Creation. This one, waters, let the waters gather too, deviates from the format (forming seas and dry land), VAYOMER ELOKIM, but it is close vegetation, heavenly bodies, sea life enough. So which is the tenth item on and birds, land animals, and humans. the list? It doesn't really matter, because each candidate completes the list meaningfully. How can the Ramban say that? A Pirkei Avot Rishon cannot contradict a Mishna. Final week of the Pirkei Avot season - The Ramban might not be contradict- but don't let that stop you from ing a Mishna, but might be teaching learning Pirkei Avot anytime you want. us a very important lessons in Life's It is a wonderful text to study and tests. explore with different m'forshim - any Perhaps Avraham should have time of the year. 'toughed it out' during the famine, On this Shabbat before Rosh feeling that if G-d sent him to the HaShana, we learn the 5th and 6th Land, then He surely would watch p'rakim of Pirkei Avot. over him during the famine. Perhaps. But that means that Avraham made Avot 5:3 (numbering might vary): the wrong decision concerning the Epia«¦ `¨ md¨ x¨a§ `© dQ¨ p©z§ p¦ zFpFiq§ p¦ dx¨U¨ r£ famine. If this was a test of faith, the lW¤ FzA¨ g¦ dO¨ M© r© ic«¦Fdl§ ,mN¨ kªA§ cn© r¨ e§ test was not what he would do, but what effect the experience would .mFlX¨ d© eil¨ r¨ Epia«¦ `¨ md¨ x¨a§ `© have on his faith in G-d. Had Avraham With ten trials, our father Avraham reacted (which he didn't) by saying was tried, and he stood firm in them What kind of G-d would send me all, to make known how great was the away from my birthplace and my love of our father Avraham. father's house to an unknown The exact list of the ten trials of faith destination and them subject me and of Avraham Avinu is disputed by the Land to a famine? THAT would be commentaries, but all consider his a failure of a test. Avraham did what going down to Egypt because of a he thought he must do, and the famine and posing as brother and Ramban thinks he was in error. Not a sister with Sara to be on the list (as faith-test failure. Rambam also one or two items). doesn't think Avraham acted in the best way, but he says that we learn The Ramban states that Avraham that a person may temporarily leave committed a serious sin (albeit Eretz Yisrael in certain dire circum- b'shogeg) by leaving the Land to stances. which G-d had sent him, and by endangering Sara Imeinu to protect Our faith, belief, trust in G-d must be himself. able to withstand whatever curves are thrown our way. The first mishna of Perek Shishi, discerning judgment: to him the a.k.a. Perek Kinyan HaTorah says: secrets of the Torah are revealed; he is made like a never-failing fountain, dx¨FYA© wq¥ Frd¨ lM¨ :xn¥ F` xi`¦ n¥ iA¦ x© and like a river that flows on with cFr `Ÿle§ ,dA¥ x§d© mix¦a¨ c§l¦ dk¤ Ff ,Dn¨ W§ l¦ ever-sustained vigor; he becomes .Fl `Ed i`c©M§ FNMª ml¨ Frd¨ lM¨ W¤ `N¨ `¤ modest, patient, and forgiving of ,mFwO¨ d© z`¤ ad¥ F` ,aEd`¨ ,r© x«¥ `x¨w§ p¦ insults; and it magnifies and exalts ,mFwO¨ d© z`¤ g© O«¥ U© n§ ,zFIx¦A§ d© z`¤ ad¥ F` him above all things. de¨p¨r£ FYW§ A© l§ n© E ,zFIx¦A§ d© z`¤ g© O«¥ U© n§ Remember that this sixth perek is not ,ciq¦ g¨ ,wiC¦v© zFid§ l¦ FYx§W© k§ n© E ,d`¨ x§i¦e§ part of Masechet Avot, although it ,`h§ g¥ d© on¦ FYw§ g© x©n§ E ,on¨ `¡p¤e§ ,xW¨ i¨ completes the work known as Pirkei dv¨ r¥ EPO«¤ n¦ oip¦d¡p¤e§ ,zEkf§ ic¥il¦ FYa§ x©w¨ n§ E Avot. It is a collection of B'raitot, dv¨ r¥ il¦ :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,dx¨Eab§ E dp¨iA¦ dI¨W¦ Eze§ written by Tana'im, as is all of Avot, Fl zp¤z«¤ Fpe§ .dx¨Eab§ il¦ ,dp¨ia¦ ip¦`£ ,dI¨W¦ Eze§ and its special focus is immersion in Fl oiN¦ b©n§ E ,oiC¦ xETg¦ e§ dl¨ W¨ n§ n¤ E zEkl§ n© all aspects of TORAH. This was xd¨ p¨k§ E xA¥ B©z§ O¦ d© oi¨r§ n© M§ dU¤ r£p©e§ ,dx¨Fz if¥x¨ purposely done because the original ,g© Ex« Kx¤`«¤ e§ r© Ep«v¨ de¤Ÿde§ ,wq¥ Ft Fpi`¥ W¤ Shabbat for its study was the one FYn§ n© Fxn§ E FYl§ C©b©n§ E ,FpFAl§ r¤ lr© lg¥ FnE right before Shavuot, Z'man Matan .miU¦ r£O© d© lM¨ lr© Torateinu. The five chapters of Avot R. Meir said, Whosoever labors in the also extoll the importance of Torah Torah for its own sake, merits many study and observance, together with things; and not only so, but the whole many ethical teachings - in light of world is indebted to him: he is called Derech Eretz Kodma LaTorah. Being a friend, beloved, a lover of the prerequisite to Torah learning and All-present, a lover of mankind: it values, these ethical teaching help us clothes him in meekness and grow during the weeks between reverence; it fits him to become just, Pesach and Shavuot - and then the pious, upright and faithful; it keeps intense emphasis on Torah of the him far from sin, and brings him near sixth perek. to virtue: through him the world This same idea fits well with the enjoys counsel and sound knowledge, month of Elul. Generally, all of Pirkei understanding and strength; (as it is Avot is learned a fourth time through said, Counsel is mine, and sound during Elul, and the TORAH perek knowledge; I am understanding; I brings us into Rosh HaShana, as it did have strength): and it gives him with Shavuot. The whole book helps sovereignty and dominion and us prepare for the Yamim Nora'im. of person from Moshe Atik z"l. Pirkei Avot When a person (singular) has this attitude, we can accept it as neutral. Perek Chamishi, Mishna 10 (or 13) But V'YEISH OMRIM, when many iN¦ W¤ iN¦ W¤ xn¥ F`d¨ .mc¨`¨ A¨ zFCn¦ rA© x§`© have this attitude, we are in danger Wi¥e§ .zip¦Fpia¥ dC¨n¦ Ff ,KN¨ W¤ LN§ W¤ e§ of the S'dom-like society. LN§ W¤ e§ KN¨ W¤ iN¦ W¤ .mFcq§ zC©n¦ Ff ,mix¦n§ F` (2) What's mine is yours and vice ,KN¨ W¤ LN§ W¤ e§ KN¨ W¤ iN¦ W¤ .ux¤`«¨ d¨ mr© ,iN¦ W¤ versa is a mixed up situation, which .rW¨ x¨ ,iN¦ W¤ LN§ W¤ e§ iN¦ W¤ iN¦ W¤ .ciq¦ g¨ cannot produce a smooth running There are four characters among society. This attitude implies that a people: person has no respect for the boundaries from person to person (1) he who says, What is mine is mine and this can result in HEFKEIRUT, and what is yours is yours, his is a neutral character lawlessness. (3) This describes a person who is some say, this is a character like that generous to others, willing to help - of Sodom; without strings attached. Without (2) he who says, What is mine is yours expecting anything in return. This is a and what is yours is mine, is a boor; high virtue.

(3) he who says, What is mine is yours (4) This one is a description of a and what is yours is yours, is a saint; selfish person who wants everything (4) he who says, What is yours is mine and is not interested in giving to and what is mine is mine, is a wicked others. A great recipe for a thief. person. (1) When a person respects your right to what is yours and he considers that what is his is his - this can be seen as a middle of the road attitude. But some see this as a characteristic of the wicked people of S'dom, who were not interested or motivated to help one another.

I heard a novel twist on this first type Israel, there can be seven, in some Pirkei Avot years - but that's for a different time.) Intro to Perek Shishi KExA¨ ,dp¨W§ O¦ d© oFWl§ A¦ min¦ k¨ g£ EpW¨ To solve this 'problem', our Sages .mz¨ p¨W§ n¦ a§ E md¤ A¨ xg© A¨ W¤ collected a series of Mishna-like writings - called B'RAITOT - and The Sages taught the following in the compiled a sixth chapter of Pirkei style of the Mishna — Blessed be He that Avot. Avot has 5 p'rakim; Pirkei Avot chose them and their teachings. has six.

To review - once upon a time (I have Since this chapter was meant to be no idea how long ago), it was read on the Shabbat before Shavuot, suggested that it would be a good its predominant theme is Torah and a idea to learn something special on Torah way of Life. the Shabbatot afternoons, between Pesach and Shavuot. This would help Consequently, the chapter was nick- us relive the experience of rising named PEREK KINYAN HATORAH. from the depths of Tum'at Mitzrayim Sometime later (I don't know when), to the spiritual heights of the Sinai it was decided to review the six Experience. Just as we must relive - chapters of Pirkei Avot three more not just retell - Y'tzi'at Mitzrayim; and times during the long Summer just as we must feel as if Torah we Shabbatot afternoons - and that is just received the Torah anew the custom of many communities, (BAYOM HAZEH, not bayom hahu); so today. too must we relive the experience of spiritual growth from the Exodus to The opening line, as above, carries Matan Torah. And part of that was to with it a very important, vital be the special learning on Shabbat message. The first part is the fact - afternoon. Our Sages taught in the style of the Mishna - i.e. in the writings of that Masechet Avot was chosen as the time that were not included by Rabi text for this task, because of the Yehuda HaNasi in the formal Shisha ethical and moral messages it Sidrei Mishna. The Gemara makes contains. heavy use of the B'raitot for compar- Slight problem. Avot has only five ison with the Mishnayot. chapters and there are six Shabbatot The second part of the opening between Pesach and Shavuot. (In sentence is a bracha-like acknowl- edgement and thanks to HKB"H, Who has chosen the Talmidei Chachamim who are faithful to Him and His Torah, and their teachings. Pirkei Avot - and all of Mishna - tries to always tell us who said what. The teachings don't just float in the air. They are anchored to people of sterling character in addition to Torah scholarship. This idea becomes a message throughout the generations that in order to accept and live by the teachings of Chazal, we need to trust them, not just what they said.

First time around, Perek Kinyan HaTorah brought us into Shavuot. This time, it brings us into the mourning period for the Churban. Shavuot (referring to the seven weeks) and The Three Weeks are very different experiences, but we are challenged to learn and internalize the lessons of Pirkei Avot, to reconfirm our commitment to Torah - and - to use those teachings to bring about the positive change in ourselves and our society, so that the prophecies of Zecharya - that the fast days for the Churban will become Yamim Tovim - Bimheira V'yameinu - AMEIN. between Shavuot and 17 Tamuz, Pirkei Avot another cycle split between the Three Weeks of mourning for the There are only five chapters (p'rakim) Churban and the first three weeks of in Masechet Avot. When it was Nechama, and a fourth cycle during decided that Avot would be the best Elul. This fourth cycle requires text to study during the period doubling up chapters the last two between Pesach and Shavuot, as a weeks, or so. This gives us a feeling way of elevating us to better relive of a crowded agenda for us all during Matan Torah, a sixth chapter was the days leading up to the Yamim needed, so that there would be one Nora'im. chapter each Shabbat during the Omer period. Whereas the five [Because the 8th day of Pesach and chapters of Avot contain many the 2nd day of Shavuot in Chutz teachings for living a Torah life, this LaAretz can sometimes fall on sixth chapter was to focus on Torah Shabbat, the above description of the Learning, to be read/ learned on the cycles of Avot does not always fit Auf Ruf Shabbat of Bnei Yisrael. The perfectly.] five chapters of Avot are part of the Each cycle, as described above, gives body of the Shisha Sidrei Mishna. The us a different background to our sixth chapter, nicknamed KINYAN Pirkei Avot learning. This makes it HATORAH - the acquisition of Torah, less repetitive, and allows for is a collection of Mishna- different insights each time we study contemporary writings, known Avot. The perek of KINYAN collectively as B'RAITA. HATORAH is introduced with the The original practice of reading/ statement: SHANU CHACHAMIM learning Pirkei Avot during the Omer BILSHON HAMISHNA - BARUCH weeks was subsequently extended to SHEBACHAR BAHEM UVMISHNA- all the Shabbatot (except when 9 Av TAM - Our Sages taught us in the is Shabbat) until Rosh HaShana. This style of the Mishna, blessed are THEY is considered a constructive practice and their Teachings - what our Sages for the longer Shabbatot of the teach us is important and so is the summer. quality and character of our teachers. It's not just the learning; it's who As it turns out, we do one cycle of teaches us. Avot during the Omer period, one cycle during a 'neutral' period Pirkei Avot The 48 ways are divided in two - the first 24 beginning with BET, meaning Perek Shishi, Mishna 6 with or by. The second 24, in the on¦ E dP¨dªM§ d© on¦ xz¥ Fi dx¨Fz dl¨ FcB§ Hebrew begin with HEI, the one who. miW¦ ŸlW§ A¦ zip¥w§ p¦ zEkl§ O© d© W¤ ,zEkl§ O© d© One can say that the first half of the mix¦U§ r¤ A§ zip¥w§ p¦ dP¨dªM§ d© e§ ,zFlr£ n© list are traits and activities that mir¦ A¨ x§`© A§ zip¥w§ p¦ dx¨FYd© e§ ,dr¨ A¨ x§`© e§ combine to make the person a Torah .mix¦a¨ c§ dp¨FnW§ E person; the second half contains descriptions of one who is a Torah ...cEnl§ z© A§ :od¥ EN`«¥ e§ person. ...FnFwn§ z`¤ xiM¦ O© d© Skipping to the last item on the list, :Y¨ c§n«© l¨ `d¨ ,Fxn§ F` mW¥ A§ xa¨ C¨ xn¥ F`d¨ e§ we find that it is the only Torah- `ia¦ n¥ Fxn§ F` mW¥ A§ xa¨ C¨ xn¥ F`d¨ lM¨ person-trait that includes a source xY¥ q§ `¤ xn¤ `ŸY« e© :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,ml¨ Frl¨ dN¨ `ªb§ 'supporting' the quality mentioned. .ik¨ C§x§n¨ mW¥ A§ Kl¤ O«¤ l© With that said, let me ask a question. The Torah is greater than the Kehuna Many years ago, I heard a D'var Torah and than royalty, seeing that royalty (on the number of angels that visited demands thirty qualifications, the Avraham), from the host of a Melave kehuna twenty-four, while the Torah is Malka I attended at the home of Dr. acquired by forty-eight. Paul and Shifra Slater. He got the DT from MAAYANA SHEL TORAH And these are they: (Wellsprings of Torah), which quoted By audible study... the Chidushei HaRim. by recognizing one’s place, If I want to tell over that D'var Torah and reporting a thing in the name of him (which I did as one of the very first who said it. So you have learned, Divrei Torah in Torah Tidbits before it Whosoever reports a thing in the name was Torah Tidbits, the weekly Torah of him that said it brings deliverance publication in its 30th year), who do I into the world; as it is said, And Esther quote if I want to conform to the last told the king in the name of Mordechai. of the 48 ways the Torah is acquired? This mishna is very long and its I was privileged to have a wonderful commentaries are very considerably Rebbi in seventh and 8th grade in longer. Crown Heights Yeshiva (60 years ago) - Rabbi Chaim Segal z"l. When GEULA to the world, as Esther did one of the boys in the shiur would (even longer ago), I hope it has been come up with a point raised in one of worth your time to read these words. the commentaries, the Rebbi would insist that we wrote the Chidush in our notebooks, attributing it to the MARSHA (for example) and to Yaakov - the boy from who we heard the Chidush. I might suggest that however long the chain of 'sources' is, we should give credit to all who brought that particular D'var Torah to us.

In my example above, I was very enthused by the words of the Chidushei HaRim. But I would never have known his words of Torah had it not been for Maayana Shel Torah. I doubt I would have read it straight from the published Torah of the Chidushei HaRim - I have none of those s'farim. And even though I do have the five volumes of Maayana Shel Torah - who knows if I would have noticed that particular vort had I not heard it from Dr. Slater, those many years ago (close to 40).

And even if I had subsequently read it on my own, I still owe Paul hakarat hatov for sharing that beautiful DT on that particular Motza"Sh.

I might be overdoing my explanation of the last statement in the mishna, but with the possibility of bringing double-edged sword. If we keep Pirkei Avot Torah and Mitzvot and remain faithful to and loving of G-d, then the merits Makot 3:16 accrue greatly. But if we don't, then... dv¨ x¨ :xn¥ F` `i¨W§ w© r£ oA¤ `i¨p§p©g£ iA¦ x© ,l`¥ x¨U§ i¦ z`¤ zFMf©l§ `Ed KExA¨ WFcT¨ d© Here's an illustration of the idea of ,zFv§ n¦ E dx¨FY md¤ l¨ dA¨ x§d¦ Kk¨ it¦ l§ the mishna. liC¦b§ i© ,Fwc§v¦ or© n«© l§ ut¥ g¨ 'd :xn© `¡P¤W¤ Among the 7 Noahide Laws - Sheva .xiC¦`§ i©e§ dx¨FY Mitzvot Bnei No'ach, we find GEZEL. A three letter word, GIMEL-ZAYIN- Rabbi Chananya son of Akashya said, LAMED, which includes whatever it The Holy One, blessed be He, was includes. pleased to make Israel worthy; wherefore he gave them a copious This on mitzva for B'nei No'ach does Torah and many commandments; as it is not correspond to one mitzva of our said, It pleased HaShem, for his 613, but rather to appox. 19 mitzvot of righteousness’s sake to magnify the Taryag. We have prohibitions of Torah and make it honorable. G'NEIVA, G'ZEILA, fraudulent busi- Officially, this mishna is not in Avot, ness practices, finders-keepers when however, we read/learn it six times to the found object must be returned, once for all the mishnayot in Pirkei HASAGAT G'VUL, not paying workers Avot. and time... and many more.

It is the last mishna in Masechet If all people are forbidden to steal, Makot, and it was borrowed by - I why subsume all the details under a have no idea; if you do, please share heading, for the nations of the world, the information. but spell them out and multiply them for us? R' Chananya b. Akashya presents as a given, that HKB"H wants the people Part of the answer is RATZA HKB"H of Israel to have much merit. He L'ZAKOT EL YISRAEL... therefore did not just give us Torah We should not view the mitzvot and and Mitzvot, but he heaped them the whole body of halacha as a upon us. burden, but rather as a special gift Of course, that sharpening, deepen- from HKB"H to His People. ing, and heightening of mitzvot - This is an uplifting message for all qualitatively and quantitatively, is a who learn Pirkei Avot - or any Torah. Pirkei Avot And... mFwO¨ d© z`¤ Epiz«¥ Fa`£ EQp¦ zFpFiq§ p¦ dx¨U¨ r£ AVOT 5 & 6 iz¦ Ÿ` EQp©i§e©... :xn© `¡P¤W¤ ,xA¨ c§O¦ A© `Ed KExA¨ This Shabbat is the end of Pirkei Avot .il¦ FwA§ Ern§ W¨ `Ÿle§ ,min¦ r¨ R§ xU¤ r«¤ df¤ for this year. We have gone through With ten trials did our fathers try the Holy four cycles, with this last one read- One, blessed be He, in the wilderness; as it ing/learning two p'rakim each of the is said, 'And they have put Me to the proof three Shabbatot before Rosh Ha- these ten times, and have not hearkened to Shana. There have been 22 Shabbatot My voice (Bamidbar 14:22, partial). between Pesach and Rosh HaShana, not including either. Since Tish'a b'Av The similarities in the wording of was a Sunday this year, we did not do these two diametrically opposed a perek on Shabbat Chazon, Erev mishnayot cannot just be coinciden- Tish'a b'Av. That's why the fourth tal. cycle was done with three doublings B'ASARA NISYONOT, with ten trials; up, rather than only two. NITNASA and NISU have the same Since Avot 5 & 6 bring us into Rosh root; AVINU and AVOTEINU - same HaShana - as does Parshat Nitzavim - root. let's say something from the two The first reminds us of the greatness chapters that will allow us to ease of Avraham Avinu. And for pre-RH, into Rosh HaShana, with a good specifically the 10th test of faith feeling. (according to many of our sources, Here are mishnayot 4 and 7 of the but not all) - AKEIDAT YITZCHAK. fifth perek. (Remember that the This mishna is an inspiration for us to numbering of mishnayot in Avot take with us into YOM HADIN. The varies, depending upon where you AKEIDA connects the davening, the look. Torah reading, and the Shofar blowing of Rosh HaShana. Epia«¦ `¨ md¨ x¨a§ `© dQ¨ p©z§ p¦ zFpFiq§ p¦ dx¨U¨ r£ lW¤ FzA¨ g¦ dO¨ M© r© ic«¦Fdl§ ,mN¨ kªA§ cn© r¨ e§ In stark contrast are the ten times .Epia«¦ `¨ md¨ x¨a§ `© our ancestors who came out of Egypt and into the Midbar, tested G-d and With ten trials, our father Avraham was His Divine Patience, so to speak. tried, and he stood firm in them all, to make known how great was the love of our So these two mishnayot both usher father Avraham. us into Rosh HaShana - the one on our credit side and he other, a sharp warning against treating G-d as was done in the Midbar. Comes the sixth perek, which is nicknamed KINYAN HATORAH, the acquisition of the Torah. Its theme is a Torah Life. It was appropriate the first time we read it, on the Shabbat before Shavuot. And it is no less significant to read it on the Shabbat before the ASERET Y'MEI T'SHUVA. As Parshat Nitzavim presented us with two different paths to choose from, and recommends UVACHARTA BACHAYIM, choose life, so too the two mishnayot we quoted from perek chamishi gives us the choice of emulating Avraham and Yitzchak... or complaining and challenging G-d all the time. No contest. The prize at the end of the Avraham Avinu path is a Torah Life. We won't mention what awaits us at the end of the other path. The choices are presented to us. Let us be smart enough to choose Life and Good - following G-d and keeping His Torah and Mitzvot.