B"H

Friday, Sivan 10, 5785 / June 6, 2025

This Shabbat we read Parshat Naso whichis the second Parsha in the Book of Numbers.

This Shabbat, which is the first Shabbat after the holiday of Shavuot, we begin studying Pirkei Avot- Chapters of our Fathers, for the second time this year. This Shabbat we study the first chapter. Many wonderful sayings and lessons of the Talmudic sages are recorded in Pirkei Avot. 

Pirkei Avot begins; "Moshe received the Torah from Mount Sinai and transmitted it to Joshua; Joshua [transmitted it] to the Elders; the Elders to the Prophets; and the Prophets transmitted it to the Men of the Great Assembly..."

Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi, compiler of Pirkei Avot, begins the Pirkei Avot by telling us the importance of the Torah teachings, for they were transmitted to us from generation to generation all the way back to Moshe at Mount Sinai.  This transmission link has never been broken for over 3000 years since the Giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai!

The following episode is told about an elderly Rabbi who was traveling with his grandson. The reverence and respect the grandson exhibited for his elder grandfather was very evident in the lad's conduct.  He listened attentively to every word his grandfather said and without hesitation obeyed whatever his grandfather asked him to do.  The other passengers were amazed at the young boy's behavior.

At last, one passenger said to the Rabbi, "I couldn't help but observe the great respect and reverence your grandchild has for you.  I also have children and grandchildren, but they think that they are much smarter than I and have little to learn from me.  How were you able to accomplish what I couldn’t."

"You believe the Torah story of creation?" asked the Rabbi. The man answered that he did not. 

The Rabbi replied, "There you have the answer to your question.  Your children and grandchildren were taught that they evolved from monkeys and apes. My grandson was taught and believes in the Torah story of creation that we come from Adam & Eve, who were created by G-d.”

“Your grandchildren, who think that you and they have evolved from an ape, are two generations further from the ape than you are, thus they consider themselves smarter and more intelligent than you… My grandson believes that I am two generations closer to Adam & Eve, who were created by G-d Al-mighty Himself.  Therefore, he considers memore intelligent and has much to learn from me!"

Pirkei Avot begins with the origin of the Torah and how it was transmitted through the generations.  Knowing that these teachings come from our Talmudic sages who were closer to the Giving of the Torah and knowing that the chain of transmission of the Torah was never broken since Moshe, gives these teachings great validity, holiness and truth, teaching purpose in life which bring us closer to G-d.

SHABBAT  SHALOM

Montreal candle lighting time: 8:22 / Shabbat ends: 9:39

OUR HEARTS ARE WITH OUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS IN CAPTIVITY - MAY THEY ALL BE RELEASED NOW