Bernard S. Antin's Blog – June 2008 Archive (5)

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AVOTH 3:5 CHOOSING WHAT MATTERS

Rabbi Nechunyah teaches that humanity’s independence is very limited. People’s lives are circumscribed by powerful outside forces. The positive, empowering aspect is one can choose which type of powerful force one is subject to. However, it is inescapable each person is subject to a yoke, something beyond oneself.



The choices are the Yoke Of Torah or the Yoke Of Government and Livelihood. Rabbi Ovadia Bartenuera ZY’A defines Yoke Of Government and Livelihood as the burden officialdom… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 26, 2008 at 2:15am — No Comments

AVOT 2:3 PEOPLE OR POWER?

One reading this Mishna may come away thinking government cannot be trusted. The Mishna casts politicians as being solely motivated by self interest. Politicians cultivate friendships to achieve an advantage but abandon a friend when s/he becomes a liability or an inconvenience.



Yet, Rabbi Chanayah the deputy of the Chohanim taught in Avoth 3:2 that government is deserving of one’s prayers because it serves the essential function of maintaining order and thereby facilitating civility… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 19, 2008 at 3:30am — No Comments

AVOTH 1:8 IT IS HOW YOU PLAY THE GAME

Rabbi Yehuda ben Tabi’s exhortation that one should not arrange judgment. The Tiferth Yisrael ZY’A on the Mishna describes an advisor who assists a litigant in organizing his testament for greatest effect. While not lying outright, person spoken of is so deft at manipulating facts to advance someone’s cause so that what results is not a lie but not quite the truth. Maimonidies’ takes this theme a step further, the concern is that the arranging facts goes past assisting one in advocacy to… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 12, 2008 at 3:03am — No Comments

Some thoughts on the BESHET

As Shavous is the Yahrziet of Rabbi Yisrael ben Eliezer, the Baal Shem Tov ZTVK’L ZY’A it is appropriate to mention some about him and the Chassidic movement he led.



Maybe his most enduring teaching is that “the whole is filled with His glory” is no abstract concept. G-D is very near and very concerned with the most minute details of His creation. He is always there and involved. This is something that on some level is available to every Jew not just the scholars but each person… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 8, 2008 at 10:05am — No Comments

Avoth 6:1 TURNING THE SCHOLASTIC INTO THE SPIRITUAL

Rabbi Meir’s proclaiming “Whoever studies Torah for its own sake merits many things.” appears as a preface all that follows. However, the text says that ” . . . not only this, but the whole of existence coming in to being is worthwhile for one who learns Torah for its own sake ” implying the “many things” one merits is something separate.



Torah Study for its own sake lies as the lodestone of the many things and everything else the Mishna lists. The Midrash Rivash Tov quoting Sefer… Continue

Added by Bernard S. Antin on June 5, 2008 at 6:21am — No Comments

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