Nissan 28, 5772 * April 20, 2012
=========================================
E T H I C S O F O U R F A T H E R S
=========================================
Ulterior Motive
---------------
Hillel would say: Be of the disciples of Aaron---a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves the creatures and draws them close to Torah.
- Ethics of our Fathers, 1:11
* * *
``Love your fellow as yourself,'' never an easy task for the human heart, proves even more difficult when applied to one's ``inferiors''---to those who are spiritually and morally lesser than oneself. How can one honestly perceive another as his equal when his fellow's character and behavior are so obviously corrupt? More specifically, throughout the ages a most divisive issue has been: How is a Jew to regard a fellow Jew who has strayed from the path of Torah?
In the first chapter of the Ethics of our Fathers, the great sage Hillel directs, ``Love the creatures and draw them close to Torah.'' ``Creatures'' (beri'os) is the lowliest of the several Hebrew terms for ``man''; it connotes the lowest common denominator of the human race---the fact that we are all G-d's creations. Says Hillel: Love also the creatures, also those whose only redeeming quality is that they are G-d's creations, and lovingly draw them to the ethos and ideals of Torah.
But Hillel's policy seems to raise more questions than it answers. What does it mean to ``love G-d's creatures and draw them close to Torah''? Is this the unconditional love of tolerance and acceptance, or a love with an ulterior motive, albeit a most selfless and honorable motive? Is this ``Love your fellow as yourself'' or ``love your fellow, so that you can turn him into yourself''?
A Chassid's Approach
Rabbi Schneur Zalman of Liadi, founder of Chabad Chassidism, applies Hillel's saying in the following manner:
Also those who are far from G-d's Torah and His service... one must draw them close with strong cords of love - perhaps one might succeed in bringing them to Torah and the service of G-d. And even if one fails, one has still merited the rewards of the fulfillment of the precept ``Love your fellow.''
Yet also Rabbi Schneur Zalman's words require clarification---he seems to adopt both of these apparently conflicting definitions of ``love.'' In his closing words, he clearly establishes that the precept of loving one's fellow exists independently and regardless of the positive influence it may bring: even if one's efforts accomplish nothing, one has still fulfilled the Torah's injunction to ``Love your fellow.'' On the other hand, Rabbi Schneur Zalman writes that ``one must draw them close with strong cords of love'' because of the chance that ``perhaps one might succeed in bringing them to Torah and the service of G-d''!
Who Is A Jew?
This apparent dichotomy in the nature of relations between Jew and Jew also appears in the words of our sages which describe the very definition of Jewishness and a Jew's relationship with G-d.
The Talmud states: ``A Jew, although he has transgressed, is a Jew.'' He may violate, G-d forbid, the entire Torah, yet his intrinsic bond with the Almighty is not affected. In the words of the Midrash, ``Torah preceded the creation of the world... but the thought of Israel preceded all in the mind of G-d.''
At the same time, many verses and sayings in Torah imply that a Jew relates to G-d through--and only through--the Torah. In the words of the Zohar: ``There are three connections that are bound to each other: G-d, the Torah, and Israel... Israel binds itself with Torah, and Torah with G-d.''
Both are true. A Jew is a Jew is a Jew, no matter what. He enjoys an unequivocal relationship with the Almighty regardless of the extent to which he actualizes it in his daily behavior. But the realization of this relationship, the manner in which also his physical being and daily life can be brought to reflect and actualize his quintessential self, is the Torah way of life.
Furthermore, because a Torah life is the ultimate expression of what a Jew is, it cannot, and will not, remain suppressed indefinitely. Sooner or later, his true self will inevitably come to light.
So love him because of what he is, and love him because your love and concern may prove to be the impetus that will bring him to Torah---the two are one and the same.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Introductory reading to Ethics of the Fathers:
All Israel has a share in the World to Come, as is stated: ``And your people are all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever. They are the shoot of My planting, the work of My hands, in which I take pride.'' (Sanhedrin, 11:1)
Chapter One
1. Moses received the Torah from [G-d at] Sinai and gave it over to Joshua. Joshua gave it over to the Elders, the Elders to the Prophets, and the Prophets gave it over to the Men of the Great Assembly. They [the Men of the Great Assembly] would always say these three things: Be cautious in judgment. Establish many pupils. And make a safety fence around the Torah.
2. Shimon the Righteous was among the last surviving members of the Great assembly. He would say: The world stands on three things: Torah, the service of G-d, and deeds of kindness.
3. Antignos of Socho received the tradition from Shimon the Righteous. He would say: Do not be as slaves, who serve their master for the sake of reward. Rather, be as slaves who serve their master not for the sake of reward. And the fear of Heaven should be upon you.
4. Yossei the son of Yoezer of Tzreidah, and Yossei the son of Yochanan of Jerusalem, received the tradition from them. Yossei the son of Yoezer of Tzreidah would say: Let your home be a meeting place for the sages; dust yourself in the soil of their feet, and drink thirstily of their words.
5. Yossei the son of Yochanan of Jerusalem would say: Let your home be wide open, and let the poor be members of your household. And do not engage in excessive conversation with a woman. This is said even regarding one's own wife---how much more so regarding the wife of another. Hence, the sages said: One who excessively converses with a woman causes evil to himself, neglects the study of Torah, and, in the end, inherits purgatory.
6. Joshua the son of Perachia and Nitai the Arbelite received from them. Joshua the son of Perachia would say: Assume for yourself a master, acquire for yourself a friend, and judge every man to the side of merit.
7. Nitai the Arbelite would say: Distance yourself from a bad neighbor, do not cleave to a wicked person, and do not abandon belief in retribution.
8. Judah the son of Tabbai and Shimon the son of Shotach received from them. Judah the son of Tabbai would say: When sitting in judgement, do not act as a counselor-at-law. When the litigants stand before you, consider them both guilty; and when they leave your courtroom, having accepted the judgement, regard them as equally righteous.
9. Shimon the son of Shotach would say: Increasingly cross-examine the witnesses. Be careful with your words, lest they learn from them how to lie.
10. Shmaayah and Avtalyon received from them. Shmaayah would say: Love work, loath mastery, and avoid intimacy with the government.
11. Avtalyon would say: Scholars, be careful with your words. For you may be exiled to a place inhabited by evil elements [who will distort your words to suit their negative purposes]. The disciples who come after you will then drink of these evil waters and be destroyed, and the Name of Heaven will be desecrated.
12. Hillel and Shammai received from them. Hillel would say: Be of the disciples of Aaron---a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves the creatures and draws them close to Torah.
13. He would also say: One who advances his name, destroys his name. One who does not increase, diminishes. One who does not learn is deserving of death. And one who make personal use of the crown of Torah shall perish.
14. He would also say: If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?
15. Shammai would say: Make your Torah study a permanent fixture of your life. Say little and do much. And receive every man with a pleasant countenance.
16. Rabban Gamliel would say: Assume for yourself a master; stay away from doubt; and do not accustom yourself to tithe by estimation.
17. His son, Shimon, would say: All my life I have been raised among the wise, and I have found nothing better for the body than silence. The essential thing is not study, but deed. And one who speaks excessively brings on sin.
18. Rabbi Shimon the son of Gamliel would say: On three things the world endures: law, truth and peace. As is stated, ``Truth, and a judgement of peace, you should administer at your [city] gates.''
Studied at the conclusion of each lesson of the Ethics:
Rabbi Chananiah the son of Akashiah would say: G-d desired to merit the people of Israel; therefore, He gave them Torah and mitzvot in abundance. As is stated, ``G-d desired, for sake of his righteousness, that Torah be magnified and made glorious.'' (Makot, 3:16)
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
© Copyright
Vaad Hanachos Hatmimim
788 Eastern Parkway, Suite 303
Brooklyn, New York 11213-3409
(718) 774-6448 / FAX (718) 774-7329
Brought to you by Chabad.org
For more daily Torah study, please visit: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=B0973B2E51E8B2BACF63F23A366E3B24&ui=9F7569CACB1B0CBE14C0E9EA5A3497FF
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
** Enjoyed this email? Please help us continue sharing the
study of Torah and Jewish traditions:
Dedicate or sponsor an email to mark your special occasion!
Please click here: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=372ADA81AB42A21636606BAA8C8599C4&ui=9F7569CACB1B0CBE14C0E9EA5A3497FF
Please click here to make a donation to Chabad.org:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=F635727A59F565D5AA49882DC6063B92&ui=9F7569CACB1B0CBE14C0E9EA5A3497FF
** Important Tip: In order to guarantee that your Chabad.org subscription
emails continue to be delivered to you, please make sure to add our
address, subscriptions@chabad.org, to your address book, or "whitelist"
it in any spam filters or spam programs you may have.
** Manage your complete subscription profile online: Subscribes,
unsubscribes, address changes, vacation holds, and more. Register here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=C3F511A8A39CEA02D020D8239CFF00F2&ui=9F7569CACB1B0CBE14C0E9EA5A3497FF&emailpk=_315538_1849700@
** To subscribe to more Chabad.org email lists please click here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=ED89F19C1022BEC590D98C2A1D9FF625&ui=9F7569CACB1B0CBE14C0E9EA5A3497FF
** To be removed from this email list please click here:
http://www.chabad.org/unsub.asp?i=42BEE959C53E05D2F07A3AE9BCA1E600B1B249616EE9EA401B29CBD9FC2509E6
If you would just like your email suspended and resumed at a later
date, please let us know here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=B54D414BB2C2FBFFB6ECC4EE369FF955&ui=9F7569CACB1B0CBE14C0E9EA5A3497FF&email=iqlalsmile.cara@blogger.com
** You are subscribed to the "Ethics of Our Fathers" email list as:
iqlalsmile.cara@blogger.com. If your e-mail address is changing
please send us your new email address here:
http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=AA5A072D16C1373FFCE03A3C8E847A2F&ui=9F7569CACB1B0CBE14C0E9EA5A3497FF&email=iqlalsmile.cara@blogger.com
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Chabad.org
Chabad Lubavitch Media Center
770 Eastern Parkway * Brooklyn, NY * 11213
Web: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=61A16524B0E23084D6496E10E25DF82A&ui=9F7569CACB1B0CBE14C0E9EA5A3497FF
Feedback: http://link.Chabad.org/go.asp?li=969238E74A871701FAE5F01576A9BEF6&ui=9F7569CACB1B0CBE14C0E9EA5A3497FF
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
