B"H

Monday, Iyar 12, 5777 / May 8, 2017 (27th day of the Omer)

The past Shabbat, we recited the third chapter of Pirkei Avot. Here are a few excerpts:

Akaviya ben Mahalalel said, “Reflect on three things and you will not come within the grip of sin; Know from where you came, and where you are going and before whom you are destined to give a future judgment and accounting. “From where you came - from a putrid drop; Where you are going – to a place of dust, worms and maggots; and before whom you are destined to a future judgment and accounting – before the supreme King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.”

Rabbi Eliezer of Bartota said:  "Give to Him of that which is His, for you and whatever is yours are His".  Rabbi Eliezer of Bartota teaches us that we must realize that whatever we give to charity we are in reality giving back to Hashem that which is His. Withholding whatever we are required to give to charity (Tzedakah) is like taking something which is not ours.

Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa said:   Anyone with whom his fellowmen are pleased, G-d is pleased with him; but anyone with whom his fellowmen are not pleased, G-d is not pleased with him." 

Rabbi Eliezer ben Azariya said:  "Anyone whose wisdom exceeds his good deeds, to what can he be compared? To a tree whose branches are numerous but whose roots are few, and the wind comes and uproots it and turns it upside down. But anyone whose good deeds exceed his wisdom, to what can he be compared?  To a tree whose branches are few but whose roots are numerous, so that even if all the winds in the world were to come and blow against it, they could not move it from its place."

The Torah tells us that, "man is compared to the tree of the field" (Deut. 20:19).  Good deeds are like roots which keep the tree firmly in place. It is of great importance to train children from a very young age in the performance of mitzvot, kindness and good deeds. This way we are planting deep roots which will guard and guide them throughout life.

A visitor to Israel attended a concert at the Moscovitz Auditorium and he was quite impressed with the architecture and acoustics. He inquired of the tour guide, "Is this magnificent auditorium named after Chaim Moscovitz, the famous Talmudic scholar?"

"No," replied the guide. "It is named after Sam Moscovitz, the writer."

"I never heard of him. What did he write?"

"A check," replied the guide.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY