“Pirkei Avot on Your Own Front Lawn!” Shabbat Parshat Emor 5780 Pirkei Avot, Perek 4 ​ Created with lots of love by: Yehoshua, Rivka, and Moishe Dovid’l Szafranski Youth Directors, Congregation Bnai Yeshurun, Teaneck, N.J. 1 Introduction: There is a long standing tradition that over the course of the six shabbatot between the holidays of Pesach and Shavuot, Jewish families ​ from across the world study the six ancient chapters of Pirkei Avot.1 Many reasons have been given to explain this beautiful practice, but perhaps the most relevant one revolves around a well known idea from the midrash. ​ ​ “Esrim v’shisha dorot kadma Derech Eretz et HaTorah... ​ ​ Derech Eretz existed twenty six generations before the giving of ​ the Torah (there are twenty six generations from Adam HaRishon to Moshe Rabbeinu)...”2 Our Sages teach us that before we arrive at Har Sinai at the end of Sefirat Ha’Omer, we must first learn how to act with Derech Eretz- respect, ​ ​ sensitivity, and kindness. Because, in the words of the Maharal of Prague: “It is impossible for the Torah to exist without Derech Eretz… for Derech Eretz is the foundation of the Torah!”3 We learn Pirkei Avot during this time in order to inspire ourselves to be better people who live with Derech Eretz. This is the proper way to prep for ​ ​ the giving of the Torah on Shavuot. Together, as a community, let’s get ready to accept the Torah! Chodesh Tov, Yehoshua, Rivka, and Moishe Dovid’l Szafranski 1 In actuality, there are only five chapters. The sixth chapter was added later- it’s a compilation of various beraytot and statements from the amoraim (see Rashi 6:1, Tifferes Yisroel 2:1; R’ Yaakov Emden 6:1). ​ ​ ​ 2 Vayikra Rabbah, 9 3 Nesivos Olam, Nesiv Derech Eretz 1:3 CBY Youth Pirkei Avot Packet 5780 2 Pirkei Avot, Perek 4 (Pirkei Avot text and translation based on the chabad.org edition. “Points to Ponder” written and compiled by Y&R Szafranski.) 1 ֶבּן זוֹ ָמא אוֹ ֵמר: ֵאיֶזהוּ ָחָכם, ַהלּוֹ ֵמד ִמָכּל אָָדם, ֶשׁנֱֶּאַמר: ִמָכּל ְמַלְמַּדי ִה ְשַֽׂכְּל ִתּי, ִכּי ֵעְדוֹ ֶֽתיָך ֹ ִֽשׂי ָחה ִלי. ֵאיֶזהוּ ִגבּוֹר, ַהכּוֵֹבשׁ ֶאת יְִצרוֹ, ֶשׁנֱֶּאַמר: טוֹב ֶֽאֶרְך אַַֽפּיִם ִמִגּבּוֹר, וּמוֹ ֵשׁל ְבּרוּחוֹ ִמלֵּכד ִעיר. ֵאיֶזהוּ ָע ִשׁיר, ַה ָשּׂ ֵֽמַח ְבּ ֶחְלקוֹ, ֶשׁנֱֶּאַמר: יְִֽגיַע ַכֶּֽפּיָך ִכּי תֹאֵכל, אַ ְשֶֽׁריָך וְטוֹב ָלְך, אַ ְשֶֽׁריָך ָבּעוָֹלם ַהֶזּה, וְטוֹב ָלְך ָלעוָֹלם ַהָבּא. ֵאיֶזהוּ ְמֻכָבּד, ַהְמַּכֵבּד ֶאת ַהְבִּריּוֹת, ֶשׁנֱֶּאַמר: ִכּי ְמַכְבַּדי אכבּד וּבֹזי יֵקלּוּ ֲ ַ ֵ ַ ָֽ . Ben Zoma would say: Who is wise? One who learns from every person. As is stated (Psalms 119:99): "From all my teachers I have grown wise, for Your ​ ​ testimonials are my meditation. "Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations. As is stated (Proverbs 16:32), "Better one who is slow to anger ​ ​ than one with might, one who rules his spirit than the captor of a city. "Who is rich? One who is happy with his lot. As is stated (Psalms 128:2): "If you ​ ​ eat of toil of your hands, fortunate are you, and good is to you"; "fortunate are you" in this world, "and good is to you" in the World to Come. Who is honorable? One who honors his fellows. As is stated (I Samuel 2:30): "For ​ ​ to those who honor me, I accord honor; those who scorn me shall be demeaned." --------------------------------------------------------------- Points to Ponder: - “Who is wise? One who learns from every person….” The Baal Shem Tov teaches that life is like a mirror. Whenever we see a fault in another person, it’s really because we possess a similar fault in ourselves. This is one way that we can truly “learn from every person.”4 - If we ever see something that bothers us, it’s really HaShem reminding us to improve in a similar area.5 Looking around the 4 Keser Shem Tov (Kehot), 116. Meor Einayim, Chukas. Toldos Yaakov Yosef, Terumah; Vayakhel. “Torah fun Der Heilig Land,” Vayera, 5776. 5 Also see Likkutei Mohoran 113, of Rebbe Nachman, where he explains that whenever we judge someone else, since we really possess a similar fault, HaShem is giving us the opportunity to judge ourselves. The CBY Youth Pirkei Avot Packet 5780 3 room right now, what’s one object, or one person, that inspires you to grow? --------------------------------------------------------------- 2 ֶבּן ַעַזּאי אוֹ ֵמר: ֱהוֵי ָרץ ְלִמְצוָה ַקָלּה, וּבוֵֹֽרַח ִמן ָהֲעֵבָרה, ֶשִׁמְּצוָה גוֶֹֽרֶרת ִמְצוָה, וֲַעֵבָרה גוֶֹֽרֶרת ֲעֵבָרה, ֶשׁ ְשַּׂכר ִמְצוָה ִמְצוָה, וּ ְשַׂכר ֲעֵבָרה ֲעֵבָרה. Ben Azzai would say: Run to pursue a minor mitzvah, and flee from a transgression. For a mitzvah brings another mitzvah, and a transgression brings another transgression. For the reward of a mitzvah is a mitzvah, and the reward of transgression is transgression. --------------------------------------------------------------- Points to Ponder: - “For the reward of a mitzvah is a mitzvah…” The mystics read this as ​ saying that the reward for doing a mitzvah, is the joy that one attains when doing a mitzvah properly. In other words, ‘the reward of a mitzvah, is the mitzvah itself!’6 After all, the word mitzvah is related to the word “tzavta,” which means intense connection and closeness. Mitzvot help us become closer to HaShem and feel His love.7 Therefore, performing one mitzvah should inspire us to yearn to do more mitzvot. - What types of deeds make you feel closer to those who you love? Why do they make you feel this way? --------------------------------------------------------------- 3 Baal Shem Tov teaches that one can only be punished by HaShem if the whole world first agrees to the punishment (even the person himself must agree to it!). By finding fault in and judging someone else, we really are finding fault in ourselves, thus confirming that we deserve to be punished as well. The best way to avoid this is to try and judge every person favorably! Also see Otzar HaChaim in Sefer HaBesht II, Kedoshim, #2-3. 6 See Ruach Chaim, 4:16 “Prozdor.” Also see Tanya, Likkutei Amarim, ch. 37. 7 Meor Einayim, Va’era (8). Shlah HaKadosh, Asarah Ma’amaros, Shlishi u’Revii. Be’er Mayim Chaim, Bamidbar 8:2. CBY Youth Pirkei Avot Packet 5780 4 הוּא ָהיָה אוֹ ֵמר: אַל ְתִּהי ָבז ְלָכל אָָדם וְאַל ְתִּהי ַמְפִליג ְלָכל ָדָּבר, ֶשׁ ֵאין ָלְך אָָדם ֶשׁ ֵאין לוֹ ָשָׁעה, וְֵאין ָלְך ָדָּבר ֶשׁ ֵאין לוֹ ָמקוֹם. He would also say: Do not scorn any man, and do not discount any thing. For there is no person who has not his hour, and no thing that has not its place. --------------------------------------------------------------- Points to Ponder: - “For there is no person who has not his hour…” Every person in this ​ world has his or her hour. HaShem gave everyone a unique “tikkun,” a specific part of this world to fix, that only that individual person can rectify.8 Don’t look down upon anyone, because everything in this world was put here for a reason. HaShem needs YOU! ​ ​ - Challenge: Find something random in the room and use it for a mitzvah! Everything was put here for a reason, find it! :-) --------------------------------------------------------------- 4 ַרִבּי ְלוִיַטס ִאישׁ יְַבנֶה אוֹ ֵמר: ְמאֹד ְמאֹד ֱהוֵי ְשַׁפל ֽרוַּח, ֶשׁ ִתְּקוַת ֱאנוֹשׁ ִר ָמּה. ַרִבּי יוֹ ָחנָן ֶבּן ְבּרוָֹקה אוֹ ֵמר: ָכּל ַהְמַחֵלּל ֵשׁם ָשַֽׁמיִם ַבּ ֵֽסּ ֶתר, ִנְפָרִעין ִמ ֶֽמּנּוּ ְבָּגלוּי, ֶא ָחד שׁוֵֹגג וְֶא ָחד ֵמִזיד ְבִּחלּוּל ַה ֵשּׁם. Rabbi Levitas of Yavneh would say: Be very, very humble, for the hope of mortal man is worms. Rabbi Yochanan the son of Berokah would say: Whoever desecrates the Divine Name covertly, is punished in public. Regarding the desecration of the Name, the malicious and the merely negligent are one and the same. --------------------------------------------------------------- Points to Ponder: - “Be very, very humble...” Humility doesn’t mean that we must ignore ​ ​ our talents. A humble person must recognize what they are good at, 8 Sfas Emes, Chayei Sarah (14), 5644 CBY Youth Pirkei Avot Packet 5780 5 thank HaShem for those talents, and then use them to help other people.9 For example, if you are great at a certain subject, thank HaShem for giving you a mind which allows you to be successful at that subject, and perhaps consider tutoring a friend who could use some extra practice. - What are you talented at? What do you enjoy doing? How can you exhibit humility with regards to this talent or activity? --------------------------------------------------------------- 5 ַרִבּי יִ ְשׁ ָמֵעאל ַבּר ַרִבּי יוֹ ֵסי אוֹ ֵמר: ַהלּוֹ ֵמד תּוָֹרה ַעל ְמנָת ְלַל ֵמּד, ַמְסִפּיִקין ְבּיָדוֹ ִלְלמוֹד וְּלַל ֵמּד, וְַהלּוֹ ֵמד ַעל ְמנָת ַלֲעשׂוֹת, ַמְסִפּיִקין ְבּיָדוֹ ִלְלמוֹד וְּלַל ֵמּד ִל ְשׁמוֹר וְַלֲעשׂוֹת. ַרִבּי ָצדוֹק אוֹ ֵמר: אַל ֹ ִתְּפרוֹשׁ ִמן ַהִצּבּוּר, וְאַל ַֽתַּעשׂ ַעְצְמָך ְכּעוְֹרֵכי ַהַדּיִָּנין, וְאַל ַתֲּע ֶֽשׂ ָה ֲע ָטָרה ְלִה ְתַגֶּדּל ָבּהּ, וְלא ַקְרדּוּם ַלְח ָתְּך ָבּהּ, וְַכְך ָהיָה ִהֵלּל אוֹ ֵמר: וְּדִא ְשׁ ַתּ ֵמּשׁ ְבּ ַתָגּא ֲחָלף, ָהא ָלַֽמְד ָתּ, ָכּל ַהנֶּ ֱהנֶה ִמִדְּבֵרי תוָֹרה, נוֹ ֵטל ַחיָּיו ִמן ָהעוָֹלם. Rabbi Ishmael the son of Rabbi Yossei would say: One who learns Torah in order to teach, is given the opportunity to learn and teach. One who learns in order to do, is given the opportunity to learn, teach, observe and do. Rabbi Tzaddok would say: Do not separate yourself from the community. Do not act as a counselor-at-law (when serving as a judge). Do not make the Torah a crown to magnify yourself with, or a spade with which to dig. So would Hillel say: one who make personal use of the crown of Torah shall perish. One who benefits from the words of Torah, removes his life from the world. --------------------------------------------------------------- Points to Ponder: - “One who benefits from the words of Torah, removes his life from the world...” Rebbe Nachman of Breslov teaches that when a person tastes the sweetness of Torah, that person has jumped from this world to the World to Come.