B"H

Thursday, Iyar 11, 5776 / May 19, 2016 – HAKHEL YEAR

This Shabbat, in the Diaspora, we will read Parshat Emor, from the Book of Leviticus. In Pirkei Avot (Chapters of our Fathers), we will recite the third chapter. The following are a few excerpts from this chapter of Pirkei Avot:

Rabbi Akiva said: "Everything is given on collateral and a net is spread over all the living; the shop is open, the shopkeeper extends credit, the ledger is open, the hand writes, and whoever wishes to borrow, let him come and borrow; the collectors make their rounds regularly, each day, and exact payment from man with or without his knowledge… And everything is prepared for the feast".

How well we understand these words, which were said 2,000 years ago, in today's world when society relies so much on credit. It may seem free in the beginning, but there is a payment to be made one day.

According to Rabbi Akiva, "The store is open." This world is like a store. We have free choice in whatever we do. However, "the ledger is open and the hand writes." An accurate record is kept up in heaven, for which accountability will have to be given. 

Rabbi Akiva concludes with, "Everything is prepared for the feast." This implies that there is great reward for those who have conducted themselves accordingly and who have accomplished in this world. They lived their life knowing that there is accountability and a price to be paid for everything.

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 G-d that which is His to begin with. It was given to us on the condition, so we can do good deeds with it.

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 educate children from a very young age in the performance of mitzvot, kindness and good deeds. These deep roots will guard and guide them throughout life.

HAVE A VERY GOOD, HAPPY, HEALTHY AND SUCCESSFUL DAY