Torah Community Connections

Week 133 - Sunday - 9 June 2002

PIRKEI AVOT: CHAPTER 2: MISHNAH 2

Rabban Gamliel, the son of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi, said. It is good to study Torah and engage in a worldly occupation for exertion in both, causes sin to be forgotten. And all study of Torah, which is not combined with work, ultimately comes to naught and causes sin. And all those who labor in public affairs, let them labor for the sake of Heaven, for the merit of their fathers aids them and their righteousness endures forever. As for you, I accord to you a great reward, as if you yourselves had carried it out.

Kehati

The Gemara (Ket. 103b) relates that before his death, Rabbi summoned the Sages of Israel. When they entered, Rabbi said to them: "My son Shimon is wise, (but) my son Gamliel is to be Nasi." Then he said to them: "Let my younger son enter." When Rabbi Shimon came in, Rabbi transmitted to him the rules of wisdom. Then he said to them: "Let my older son enter." When Rabban Gamliel came in, Rabbi instructed him in the rules of the presidency, and said to him: "My son, conduct your presidency with authority; impose strict discipline on the disciples." Rabban Gamliel is the last Nasi to be mentioned in the Mishnah among the Tannaim. In this Mishnah, he maps out the wholesome and beneficial way of life through which a man can avoid sin. He also admonishes the holders of public office to labor for the good of society and not for the sake of power and honor.

Rabban Gamliel, the son of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi, said: It is good to study Torah and engage in a worldly occupation - to combine Torah with work, for exertion in both - the energy spent on both - Torah and work, causes sin to be forgotten - distracts his attention from evil designs. Bartenura explains "that the Torah saps a man's (mental) strength, while work crushes and breaks the body, thereby eliminating his evil urge." Others comment that "all aspects of sin are thereby removed from man, inasmuch as the Torah teaches him what to avoid, and as regards gaining a livelihood he need not engage in deceit, seeing that he earns his bread by honest labor. Rashi comments similarly "By occupying himself with the study of Torah and in gainful employment for his livelihood, he will neither covet nor seize the property of others."

And all study of Torah which is not combined with work - to sustain the student, ultimately comes to naught - for he is destined to abandon his studies, because "where there is no meal there is no Torah" (see below Chap. 3, Mishnah 17), as man cannot exist without nourishment, and causes sin - as poverty breeds flattery, deceit, thievery, embezzlement, and other sins. And all those who labor in public affairs - discharging a communal function, let them labor for the sake of Heaven - and not for self-glorification, personal benefit, or political power over the public, for the merit of their fathers - of the community, aids them - those who administer their affairs, to succeed - not by the efforts of the administrators alone, but by the merits of the ancestors of the community, and their righteousness - having fulfilled a public function with sincerity, G-d will account it to them as though they had fulfilled that mitzvah (Rambam), as it is said (T.J. Ber. 5): "He who caters to the needs of the public is like one who is occupied with the words of the Torah." Alternatively, and all those who labor in public affairs - to impose upon the people the fulfillment of communal mitzvot, such as charity or the redemption of captives, let them labor for the sake of Heaven, for the merits of the fathers - of the community, aids them - to collect whatever is imposed upon the community, no matter how much, and their righteousness - the charity thus rendered endures forever - will stand in the public's credit constantly. And as for you - who have induced the people to engage in this mitzvah , I accord to you a great reward, as if you yourselves had carried it out - with your very own resources (Bartenura).

PIRKEI AVOT: CHAPTER 2: MISHNAH 3

Be cautious with the authorities, for they do not befriend a man except for their own advantage; they appear as friends when it is to their benefit, but they do not stand by a man in his time of distress.

Kehati

Our Mishnah continues to quote Rabban Gamliel, the son of Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi. Midrash Sh'muel links Rabban Gamliel's opinions to Shemayah's statement (Chap. 1:1O, above): “Love labor and hate mastery; and do not seek familiarity with the ruling authorities." Concerning the love of work, Rabban Gamliel adds that it must go hand in hand with Torah, as it is good to combine the study of Torah with a worldly occupation. Shemayah's admonition to hate prominence is qualified by Rabban Gamliel who says that it is not necessary to reject the reins of power as long as they are used for the sake of Heaven and not for one's own benefit. And Shemayah's warning against seeking familiarity with the authorities, is modified by Rabban Gamliel from total withdrawal, an impossible demand from those involved in public affairs who must often be in touch with the authorities, to the need of exercising great caution, as stated in this Mishnah.

Be cautious with the authorities - when dealing with the ruling powers, do not reveal to its agents too much of your affairs, and do not rely on their promises, for they do not befriend a man except for their own advantage - even when they seem to welcome you, know that they do so only in their own self-interest. They appear as friends when it is to their benefit - e.g., when they receive gifts from you, but they do not stand by a man in his time of distress - ignoring all the favors they enjoyed in the past, they fail to come to your aid.

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