RaYBaSH’s Ponderings of the Perkei Avot
Chapter 3:2-4, 7
By: Rabbi Yehudah ben Shomeyr
“Rabbi Chanina,
deputy to the kohanim, would say: Pray
for the integrity of the government; for were it not for the fear of its
authority, a man would swallow his neighbor alive.”
Especially in exile,
especially in a pagan, non-Torah, non-theocratic government! Just as recorded
in the Tanak, so goes the king, so goes the people, EVERYTIME! Good kings
brought revival, bad kings brought idolatry and ruin.
“Rabbi Chanina son
of Tradyon would say: Two who sit and no words of Torah
pass between them, this is a session of scorners, as is stated, "And in a
session of scorners he did not sit" (Psalms
1:1). But two who sit and exchange words of Torah, the Divine Presence rests
amongst them, as is stated, "Then the G-d-fearing conversed with one
another, and G-d listened and heard; and it was
inscribed before Him in a book of remembrance for those who fear G-d and give
thought to His name" (Malachi 3:16). From
this, I know only concerning two individuals; how do I know that even a single
individual who sits and occupies himself with the Torah, G-d designates reward
for him? From the verse, "He sits alone in meditative stillness; indeed,
he receives [reward] for it" (Lamentations 3:28 ).
Rabbi Shimon would say: Three who eat at one table and do
not speak words of Torah, it is as if they have eaten of idolatrous sacrifices;
as is stated, "Indeed, all tables are filled with vomit and filth, devoid
of the Omnipresent" (Isaiah 28:8). But
three who eat at one table and speak words of Torah, it is as if they have
eaten at G-d's table, as is stated, "And he said to me: This is the table
that is before G-d" (Ezekiel 41:22).
Rabbi Chalafta the
son of Dosa of the village
of Chanania 3:16 ). And from where do we know that such is
the case even with a single individual? From the verse, "Every place where
I have My name mentioned, I shall come to you and bless you" (Exodus 20:21 ).”
This one is pretty
much self explanatory and has Scripture references to it. But allow me to add a
verse from the Brit Chadasha. Rav Sha’ul said:
1Cor. 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat,
or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
We should even
seek God and the things of God even in our “down time” and casual encounters
with others. All time is sacred and holy. God created it and should be
acknowledged in it, whether we actually talk about God and Torah, or whether we
are engaged in doing something the Torah commands or that is noble and holy,
like complimenting or encouraging others. This too brings glory to God.
Shalom,
-- Yehudah ben
Shomeyr
