Pirkei Avot

‍‍17 Tishre 5770 - October 5, 2009 | Author BFM

Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak

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Mishnah 18

The world endures on three things–justice, truth and peace

The institution of “justice” maintains an orderly system of personal wealth. The pursuit of “truth” enriches the intellect. The pursuit of “peace” enhances our personal existence by ensuring that one person domain of existence does not encroach on his neighbor’s existence.

…justice

The Creator has allocated possessions to each of us and it is improper for one person to take what HaShem has intended for another. Competent “justice” maintains proper allocation of material possessions and enables the world to endure in the way that HaShem planned for each person.

…truth

When one pursues “truth,” intellect emerges into the world. When falsehood prevails, the intellectual side of life is abrogated.

…peace

“Peace” address the human being himself. The world requires peace to endure, because it is an intrinsic part of human nature to conflict with other people. Each of us believes from birth that “everything is mine” and conflict arises because the very existence of other people interferes with “me and mine”.

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Pirkei Avot

‍‍10 Tishre 5770 - September 28, 2009 | Author BFM

Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak

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Mishnah 17

All my days I have been raised among the Sages
Rashi explains this statement to mean, “I observed that the Sages practice silence and I have found that it is good even for them (although they have wise things to say). Therefore, how much more so is silence suitable for ordinary people, who are not sages.”

…and I found nothing better for the body than silence

Shimon regards speech as a physical faculty, in that it is not purely cognitive. It is true that speech can be the handmaiden of emotional and creative thinking, however, the Mishnah is concerned with directed, analytical thought. Because speech occupies our concentration, we are more likely to err while talking than while given solely reflection.

…not study, but practice is the main thing

One might erroneously conclude from this that the exposition of the Torah, is primary and that its practice, is secondary. The truth is that, while study is great, practice is the foundation on which intellectual achievement must be built. One can acquire the highest level of intellect only by building, a level at a time, on this firm foundation.

…and everyone who talks excessively brings on sin

This Mishnah is not a mere repetition of the verse, “In a multitude of words sin will not cease.” That passage means that one cannot avoid wasted words and foolishness in a large volume of speech.

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Pirkei Avot

‍‍4 Tishre 5770 - September 22, 2009 | Author BFM

Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak

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Torah Transmission up to Hillel and Shammai

This mishnah concludes the mussar of the fifth and last of the rabbinical pairs who formally transmitted the Torah from one generation to the next. From this point onward, there no longer were designated recipients in the chain of Torah transmission, for the students of Shammai and Hillel did not apprentice adequately to synthesize the full spectrum of Torah principles. Therefore it is appropriate to pause and reflect upon the development of Torah and rabbinical leadership from Moshe to Hillel and Shammai.

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Pirkei Avot

‍‍25 Elul 5769 - September 14, 2009 | Author BFM

Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak

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Mishnah 14

…if I am not for myself, who will be for me?

If we dot not put forth effort to perfect ourselves through Torah and mitzvot, whose Torah and mitzvot will contribute to our spiritual growth?

…and if I am for myself, what am I?

Hillel means: “Even if I fulfill my obligation to perform mitzvot, I am but flesh and blood and I cannot put in the amount of effort that the soul requires.”

…and if not now, when?

The third limitation to achievement is that life is very short. If we do not act now, when else is there?

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Pirkei Avot

‍‍18 Elul 5769 - September 7, 2009 | Author BFM

Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
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Mishnah 13
…and he who refuses to teach (Torah) deserves death

If a person does not study Torah at all, they actively bring death upon themselves, for they distance themselves from Torah and oppose it.

…and he who exploits the crown of Torah shall fade away

One makes personal use of the holy Torah is liable to death through Divine intervention, which is the penalty for deriving personal benefit from any sacred object.

…and he who exploits the crown of Torah shall fade away

This statement can also be viewed in the context of the opening words of the mishnah—“Power is its name? Destruction is its name”—which caution against seeking a position of authority. The crown of Torah is the essence of authority; it is a sacred crown above all other crowns and must not be exploited.

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Pirkei Avot

‍‍12 Elul 5769 - September 1, 2009 | Author BFM

Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
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Mishnah 12

…loving peace and pursuing peaces

The phrase “loving peace” refers to preventing disputes from arising. The phase “pursuing peace” refers to restoring a harmonious relationship if a dispute did arise. Hillel uses the term “pursing” in this context because people who quarrel keep at a distant from each other, and anything at a distance requires pursuit.

…loving people

What kind of a person will be effective in bringing about harmony? Someone who loves people and seeks their best interests. Only when we love people so genuinely that we feel at one with them can we succeed in drawing people together to be one with each other.

…and bringing them closer to the Torah

Just as we should create harmony among people, so we should create harmony and unity between Israel and their Father in Heaven, and that is done by drawing near those who are at a distance from HaShem’s Torah and mitzvot.

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Pirkei Avot

‍‍5 Elul 5769 - August 25, 2009 | Author BFM

Biblical Faith – with Shmuel “Sam” Peak
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Mishnah 11

“Evil waters” is a metaphor for unworthy students. This concern is associated specially with being exiled, because that is where students of unrefined character are likely to be encountered. Furthermore, in their home town the Rav would be in position to be more discriminating and selective in accepting only students of upright character.

People will not be disillusioned when they see that the first generation of students depart from Torah values, because they know that those students are not worthy of being Torah scholars. Avtalyon is concerned for the students of those students, who could well, be of good character and therefore cause HaShem’s Name to be profaned through the corrupted doctrines they received.

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