Torah Community Connections

Week 133 - Friday - 14 June 2002

PIRKEI AVOT: CHAPTER 2: MISHNAH 12

Rabbi Yose said: Let the property of your fellow be as precious to you as your own; and make yourself fit for the study of Torah, for it is not yours by inheritance; and let all your deeds be for the sake of Heaven.

Kehati

In this Mishnah, Rabbi Yose, who was a kohen, notes the ways of improvement in a man's relationship towards: a) society, b) his own person; and c) G-d.

Rabbi Yose said: Let the property of your fellow be as precious to you as your own - protect your fellow's property from loss as you would guard your own belongings, and when his property is exposed to danger, at sea, on a river, or when his house has caught fire and you are able to help, you must exert yourself to save his belongings as if they were your own. Avot de Rabbi Natan explains: "A man should consider the property of his fellow man as though it were his own; just as a person will not allow his capital to suffer disrepute, so should he fend off any slander concerning his fellow's earnings."

And make yourself fit for the study of Torah - by improving your character and by diligent study, and do not say: Since I descend from a long line of Sages, the Torah will come to me naturally, without much effort. For it is not yours by inheritance - the Torah does not pass genetically from father to son and no one acquires it without the necessary mental exertion.

And let all your deeds be for the sake of Heaven - everything you do, even whilst catering to your physical needs, act for the sake of Heaven, to please your Creator, as our Sages said (Ber. 63a): "What short text (of the Bible) contains all the essential principles of the Torah? 'In all your ways acknowledge Him' (Prov. 3:6)," even in the context of passion. This, indeed, is the meaning of the Talmudic statement (Ber. 54a): "'And you shall love the Lord your G-d with all your heart' (Deut. 6:5), i.e., with both inclinations, the good inclination, and the bad inclination." Even in the course of satisfying your personal desire, let your intentions be for a positive purpose (Hameiri).

PIRKEI AVOT: CHAPTER 2: MISHNAH 13

Rabbi Shimon said: Be careful in reciting the Shema and in prayer. And when you pray, do not make your prayer a fixed duty, but a plea for mercy and an entreaty before G-d, as it is written (Joel 2:13): "For He is gracious and compassionate, long suffering and abundant in kindness, and renouncing punishment." And be not wicked in your own sight.

Kehati

Rabbi Shimon ben Netanel cautions us about prayer (i.e., the Amidah - tr.); we are required to recite it at the appointed time and with proper devotion.

Rabbi Shimon said: Be careful in reciting the Shema - at the prescribed time, and in prayer - to recite each Service at its appointed time, for "Precious is a mitzvah performed at its appointed hour," (Pes. 68b). And when you pray, do not make your prayer a fixed duty - a mechanical obligation, discharged without feeling, and heaving a sigh when it is all over, but - let your prayer be a plea for mercy and an entreaty before G-d - you should address the Almighty with devotion as one pleading for mercy, as it is written: "for He is gracious and compassionate, long-suffering and abundant in kindness, and renouncing punishment" - there are three types of prayer, and all are included in this verse: 1. That G-d deliver us from trouble, that He delay His wrath, and not punish us even though we sin. 2. That He favor us and fulfill the wishes of our heart, and that He lavish upon us His kindness even though we do not deserve it. 3. That G-d forgive our sins and set aside the chastisement that we deserve. However, the efficacy of these three kinds of prayer depends solely on Divine grace and compassion; hence, one must pray to G-d as one pleading for mercy (Tiferet Yisrael).

And be not wicked in your own sight - do not act in a manner that will lead you to accuse yourself, saying: Why did I perform that evil deed? Some comment: Do not be wicked, by withdrawing from the congregation, and stand lifnei atzmekha, segregated by yourself; rather, be involved with others and remain part of society. Rambam comments: Do not consider yourself wicked, and thereby actually fall into evil ways.

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