Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Ethics of Our Fathers: Chapter 1 Mishna 1: Jewish Continuity
11:06 AM | 
Posted by
Rabbi Chaim Coffman |
The first Mishna in Pirke Avos says, "Moshe received the Torah at Sinai and handed it down to Joshua, Joshua to the elders, the elders to the prophets and the prophets handed it down to the men of the Great Assmebly. The latter said three things: Be patient in the administration of justice, develop many students, and make a fence around the Torah.
The Mishna here established that G-d gave the Torah to Moshe, both the written Torah and the Oral tradition as well. Without an Oral tradition, the Torah is unfathomable. An example would be when the Torah tells us that "You shall dwell in booths for a seven-day period, every native in Israel shall dwell in booths." (Leviticus 23:42)
What do the booths look like? What are their dimensions? How many walls do they have? Without an Oral tradition we would not know the answers to these questions. Not only that, everyone would come up with their own ideas of what they thought it meant! If everyone did what they wanted, their would be no continuity into tradition and everyone would pass something different down to their children!
After the Mishna gives the genealogy of how the Torah was transferred throughout the generations, the Mishna tells us that we should be patient in administrating justice. This means that when one comes with a question to a rabbinical authority, that rav should answer automatically but think carefully about the question before answering. Otherwise, without carefully analyzing the question, it would be very easy to make a mistake.
The Mishna is also careful to mention justice more than anything else here because it is essence of knowing G-d. None other than the great prophet Jeremiah tells us "For only with this may one glorify himslef - contemplating and knowing Me, for I am Hashem who does kindness, justice and righteousness in theland, for in these is My desire the word of Hashem" (Jeremiah 9:23)
How will a person come to know Hashem? When a person learns the laws of damages and understands administration of justice because this is what Hashem does. The world is based on judgement and when we understand better these laws, we see G-d's greatness in running the world.
The Mishna also teaches us that we should have many students. Many students means that we should teach those who want to learn and grow. The student should be modest, honest and have fear of heaven. Having many students that will listen and soak up what the rebbe teaches is great for them but it also makes the rebbe sharper through their questions..
When a rebbe has proper students, it inspires him to reach higher levels to help the students reach their unlimited potential so it a win-win situation for both!
The last thing the Mishna mentions is that a person should make a fence around the Torah. It is a great thing to make a fence around the Torah so a person will not come to make a mistake. Making a fence around the Torah gives a person a higher awareness of what his purpose is in this world and helps them reach higher spiritual goals.
Since they are more careful with what they do now and in the future, they will be more careful with their actions and have a higher level of fear of heaven!
The Mishna here established that G-d gave the Torah to Moshe, both the written Torah and the Oral tradition as well. Without an Oral tradition, the Torah is unfathomable. An example would be when the Torah tells us that "You shall dwell in booths for a seven-day period, every native in Israel shall dwell in booths." (Leviticus 23:42)
What do the booths look like? What are their dimensions? How many walls do they have? Without an Oral tradition we would not know the answers to these questions. Not only that, everyone would come up with their own ideas of what they thought it meant! If everyone did what they wanted, their would be no continuity into tradition and everyone would pass something different down to their children!
After the Mishna gives the genealogy of how the Torah was transferred throughout the generations, the Mishna tells us that we should be patient in administrating justice. This means that when one comes with a question to a rabbinical authority, that rav should answer automatically but think carefully about the question before answering. Otherwise, without carefully analyzing the question, it would be very easy to make a mistake.
The Mishna is also careful to mention justice more than anything else here because it is essence of knowing G-d. None other than the great prophet Jeremiah tells us "For only with this may one glorify himslef - contemplating and knowing Me, for I am Hashem who does kindness, justice and righteousness in theland, for in these is My desire the word of Hashem" (Jeremiah 9:23)
How will a person come to know Hashem? When a person learns the laws of damages and understands administration of justice because this is what Hashem does. The world is based on judgement and when we understand better these laws, we see G-d's greatness in running the world.
The Mishna also teaches us that we should have many students. Many students means that we should teach those who want to learn and grow. The student should be modest, honest and have fear of heaven. Having many students that will listen and soak up what the rebbe teaches is great for them but it also makes the rebbe sharper through their questions..
When a rebbe has proper students, it inspires him to reach higher levels to help the students reach their unlimited potential so it a win-win situation for both!
The last thing the Mishna mentions is that a person should make a fence around the Torah. It is a great thing to make a fence around the Torah so a person will not come to make a mistake. Making a fence around the Torah gives a person a higher awareness of what his purpose is in this world and helps them reach higher spiritual goals.
Since they are more careful with what they do now and in the future, they will be more careful with their actions and have a higher level of fear of heaven!
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