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Pirkei Avot
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Chapter 6
Mishnah Two
Mount Horeb is another name for Mount Sinai, famous as the site where G-d gave the Torah. The word Horeb, חורב comes from the same Hebrew root as does חורבך, churban, meaning “destruction.” Why does Rabbi Levi refer to Mount Sinai by the term that designates “Mount Destruction”? We would have expected the opposite, for Torah brings structure and security to the world, fashioning it into an edifice.
The truth is that the Torah has a double-edged power. For people who seek the Torah, it brings fulfillment and structure to their lives.
Dedicated to Robert Wright
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Chapter 6
Mishnah One (continues)
From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.
The Zohar comments that before Sinai, all the creatures were controlled by the cosmic forces. Once the Torah was given to Yisra’el they were freed from the control of these forces. Indeed, one who studies Torah for its own sake actually controls the forces of nature. He can change them at will, and they fear him. In this context, the Mishnah comments that Torah gives him sovereignty and dominion.
Dedicated to Deana McGluflin
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Mishnah One (continues)
He loves the Omnipresent, he loves people . . .
We said one that learns Torah for its own sake is a “friend” and “beloved” of both G-d and people. It is the study and practice of Torah that infuse the world with its values. Since Torah flows from G-d, and Torah lives in people, a person who is embodiment of Torah is tightly bound up with both G-d and mankind.
Indeed, one who learns Torah for its own sake is the vehicle through which the spiritual and physical lanes of existence unite.
Dedicated to Deana McGluflin
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” PeakChapter 6
Mishnah One (continues)
From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.
The Torah shields and saves. Mitzvoth (commandments) shield but do not save. The mitzvoth actually represent a healthy diet and life style. When a human being performs a commandment they are surrounded by an aurora of holiness that shields them from their own evil inclination. However, once a human being becomes sick through the sins they have committed, and then they are required Torah study for its own sake, because the evil inclination attacks aggressively the impurity in their own heart. The Torah not only shields them from the evil inclination, but it also purges the evil in their heart and makes that individual fit to embark upon the journey of righteousness and repentance.
In memory of Jerry Dean
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” PeakChapter 6
Mishnah One (continues)
From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.
Humility is not just a mitzvah, meaning a set of rules and actions which a person has to follow, rather humility is a state of mind. A person must naturally develop an attitude as to where they are not so important, so they feel they are humble toward others (Pirkei Avot 4 Mishnah 1).
In memory of Jerry Dean
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” PeakChapter 6
Mishnah One (continues)
From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.
The world was created for the sake of the Torah and those that believe in it. As the Talmud explains HaShem created the world with a stipulation that the Jews had to accept the Torah. Otherwise the entire universe would revert to Tohu-Va-Vohu. Therefore the Zohar states that HaShem, the Torah and those that believe in it are One. The Midrash also expounds on this concept, HaShem calls the Jewish Nation, “My perfect Dove” (Song of Songs 5:2).
Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” PeakChapter 6
Mishnah One (continues)
From a teaching by Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Ruach Chaim.
Anyone that studies Torah for its own sake merits many things. Not only is that, the entire world, the entire Creation, worthwhile for them. He is called a beloved friend, he loves the Omnipresent One, he loves people and he makes HaShem glad. And he gladdens people, and the Creation. The study of the Torah clothes him in humility, and in fear of HaShem, and it prepares him to be righteous and straight forward. It distance him from sin and brings him close to merit.
Dedicated to Cherrie Shackleford and Son’s