1 - Situations - Introduction
It is customary to read these lines as an introduction to reading and learning each chapter of Pirkay Avos, despite the fact that they are not a part of it.
Utilizing the timeless wisdom from Pirkei Avos (Ethics of our Fathers), this series offers additional ways to improve our thinking regarding our relationships with others.
It is customary to read these lines as an introduction to reading and learning each chapter of Pirkay Avos, despite the fact that they are not a part of it.
Perek Aleph, Mishna Aleph. He'vay M'sunim Ba'din - Be Deliberate in Judgment
The mishna uses the phrase “set up†rather than “teach†because a teacher must ultimately set up each student to eventually stand on his own. He or she must teach students not just facts and material, but also must breathe life into it, full
Perek Aleph, Mishna Aleph Part 3. V'Asu Siyag LaTorah - And Make a Fence Around the Torah
Perek Aleph, Mishna Bays Part 1. V'Al G'milus Chassadim - And Upon Deeds of Kindness
Perek Aleph, Mishna Hai Part 1. Y'hi Baischa Pasu'ach Lirvacha - Open Your Home Wide
A person should treat poor guests with no less consideration than he gives to the members of his own family.
“Making†a teacher means that a person must invest great effort in acquiring a mentor.
A friend can see things from a fresh perspective and offer the wisdom of a sympathetic and objective onlooker. And, a friend can be a source of comfort when sharing one's burden in troubled times.
Instead of focusing on relatively minor flaws, concentrate on the more favorable and positive character traits. Judge a person not on the basis of an isolated act but in the context of his entire being.
It is not enough to simply love peace. We must actively pursue it. Some people avoid confrontation but make no real effort to create harmony between themselves and others.
come. When you love others, as a natural consequence, you will bring them close to Torah.
A person does not discharge his obligations simply by perfecting his character; rather he must improve his environment and those amenable to his influence.
Some people speak about themselves at length, giving others, and perhaps themselves as well, the impression that they are accomplishing a great deal, when in truth their deeds may be paltry and few. The proper way to conduct oneself is to speak litt
Greet people pleasantly. Show them that their presence is welcome to you. Extend such kindness even to a wicked person, for perhaps you will blow into the flame a spark of repentance in his heart.
“When I speak, I have reason to regret. But when I am silent, I have nothing to regret. Before I speak, I am the master over my words; once the words leave my mouth, they rule over me.â€
that a correct decision must meet two criteria: what one does must be helpful to oneself, and it must also be considered praiseworthy by others.
the qualities of justice, truth and peace are complementary, creating the foundation for the continued existence of the universe. The blend of these three qualities exists within each individual as well, corresponding to his deeds, speech, and thoug
“Do not calculate which mitzvos yield the greatest reward,†otherwise you will confine yourself to performing them alone.
An individual's strength is enhanced when he is part of a community...when a Jew is part of a community, his deeds and prayers are accepted even if they are flawed.
We cannot judge someone else until we stand in his shoes. Even if we find ourselves in the exact same position as him, we still may not be in his shoes, because we come at life from a different angle, with different strengths and deficits.
“A teacher should not be angry or short-tempered. He should instead be calm and reply to everyone and to every question. If his answer is not clear, he should explain again until people understand.†Otherwise, his students will remain ignorant
says Hillel, do not allow yourself to slip into mediocrity, do not compare yourself merely to those in your immediate vicinity. Strive to be a man, a person who fulfills his potential.
a person with a good eye is happy to see the happiness and well-being of others.
A good companion is a friend who serves as a positive role model, who influences one's life for the better, and in whose presence one is ashamed to be any less than one’s best
When a person has a good heart, he views others beneficently, he loves and is beloved, his character is pleasant, his bearing is mild, his thinking is healthy, and his deeds are pleasing.
, we must view every Jew as our brother and gain pleasure from his successes, recognizing that his good fortune does not detract from ours, for “no one touches that which is prepared for someone elseâ€
Anger unsettles a person, causing him to act thoughtlessly and impelling him to aggressive behavior.
Not only must we help others not lose money, but we must also help them succeed.
We must intend to immediately put everything that we learn into practice. Rashi explains that when a person's knowledge is not theoretical, he fulfills the goal of the Torah, that its teachings be carried out.
a person who humiliates someone else does not realize the gravity of his offense. He thinks, “What have I done? I did not hit him or steal from him.
Although not everyone possesses this natural ability to empathize with others, it can be acquired,
The Torah contains many positive commandments and prohibitions that affect a person's character.
While others may have attained some wisdom, only one who has the ability to learn from everyone is a truly wise person.
we can best appreciate the superiority of moral strength over physical might if we realize that only the morally strong are in control of themselves.
If attaining money causes a person to feel ever more what he lacks, then, paradoxically, the more money he has, the poorer he is.
Only a person who treats others respectfully is in turn treated the same way.
Rashi defines a “light mitzva†as “one that appears easy to youâ€, i.e., it is not expensive, difficult to perform or time consuming.
Do not belittle anyone, since you do not know what he will achieve in the future.
one must strive for absolutely total humility.
unless repentance results in good deeds, it remains inadequate.
The Honor of Your Students Should Be As Beloved To You As Your Own
“a person should always…turn aside wrath and increase peace with his brothers, relatives, and (all) men…so that he will be beloved in heaven and on earth, and accepted by people†(B'rachos 17a).
It offers counsel on how to conduct oneself under difficult circumstances. In the Rambam's words, the mishna speaks of “moral matters regarding proper human relations.â€
Often a person who is suffering appreciates a helping hand and an empathetic presence. But if he has withdrawn from public view so that one must make effort to seek him out, that is a sign that he does not want help.
a person's wisdom cannot be gauged by his age. One cannot judge a book by his cover. Wisdom depends principally upon a person’s spirit, and the degree to which he works on developing his soul.
Jealousy and the pursuit of honor are the source of all social ills, such as hatred, hypocrisy, injustice, slander and rejoicing in others' misfortune.
Although a wise person has worthwhile things to say, he prefers to first listen to those greater than he, for his soul desires wisdom and yearns to gain knowledge and perfection, rather than recognition.
The wise person allows the person speaking to him to complete his thoughts without interrupting him.
The highest caliber of personality, the mishna teaches, is someone who gets angry only rarely, and only after great provocation. Even then he is easily and quickly appeased.
Any love that depends upon something, when that thing ceases, the love will cease. But if it is not dependent on anything, it will never cease..." (Perek Hai, Mishna Yud Tes).
A person who shares the burden of his colleague empathizes with him, desires his success as much as he desires his own, and averts his eyes from his colleague's flaws.