RaYBaSH’s Ponderings of the Perkei Avot
Chapter 2:17-21
By: Yehudah ben Shomeyr
v.17c “Let all
your deeds be for the sake of Heaven.
I
Cor. 10:31 Whether
therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
v.18a “Be diligent
in the study of Torah and know what to answer a heretic.”
I
Peter 3:15 But sanctify
the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man
that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:
Titus 3:9-11 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and
strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A man that is an
heretick after the first and second admonition reject; Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being
condemned of himself.
v.20 “Rabbi Tarfon would say: The day is short, the work is
much, the workers are lazy, the reward is great, and the Master is pressing.”
v.21a (Rabbi Tarfon) He would also say: It is not incumbent
upon you to finish the task, but neither are you free to absolve yourself from
it.
Heb.
11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having
seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and
confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
John
8:56 Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad.
Luke 9:62 And Jesus (YESHUA) said
unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit
for the kingdom
of God
Much of what we do
in life we will never see the end result, for it is really for the ones who
come after us. Like the oak tree you planted a few years back; you may never
see it as the mighty oak it will be 50 years, but your children and
grandchildren will. Much of what we do here and now paves the way for the
coming generations. It’s the whole “Olympic passing the torch” thing; run like
you are the one who will/must finish it.
Shalom,
-- Yehudah ben Shomeyr
