RaYBaSH’s Ponderings of the Perkei Avot
Chapter 4:14
By: Yehudah ben Shomeyr
“Rabbi Yochanan the Sandal-Maker would say: Every gathering that is for the sake of
Heaven, will endure; that is not for the sake of Heaven, will not endure.”
He was right and this was reiterated in the Brit Chadasha. If it’s is not for Heaven
(Sometimes an idiom for God) it’s all worthless and in vain.
1Cor. 10:31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Shalom,
-- Yehudah ben
Shomeyr
RaYBaSH’s Ponderings of the Perkei Avot
Chapter 4:15
By: Yehudah ben Shomeyr
“Rabbi Eliezer the son of Shamua would say: The dignity of your student should be as
precious to you as your own; the dignity of your colleague, as your awe of your master;
and your awe of your master as your awe of Heaven.”
“Rendering honor to others is so important that one should always treat them as though
they are on a higher level than they really are.” – Perkei Avot commentary.
When someone sticks up for you, you never forget it and visa versa, so when ever you
fall into trouble you will always have someone in your corner and who knows who you
help may be as a mouse, but tomorrow they may be as a lion. This is not strange in
regards to the Torah, for a student that is as a mouse can become a great lion of a
Torah Scholar. Also, even if they are small, so what, what is the mouse in Aesop's Fable
that chewed through the net that trapped the mighty lion? Was it not a mouse that removed
the painful thorn in the lions foot? Never underestimate ones ability to help.
Honor others and that honor will return to you when needed.
In the relationship to Rabbi’s and Students, it is very important to note that what the
student does reflects upon the Rabbi. Just as our actions in the world whether we
like it or not renders a type of commentary upon the God we serve in the eyes of others.
So everyone’s reputation is somewhat connected and what I do ultimately in some way
will reflect on you.
In this world of prejudice and racism what do many people foolishly think when they
see one of another ethnicity apprehended and jailed? They falsely think everyone of
that race must be like that. So to when we do something wrong, whether good or evil
will reflect on other Jews and what people think of them.
Honor can be as simple as a smile and a polite nod to one you pass on the street to say,
hey you are important, I acknowledge you. Or it can be as complex as assisting
someone in clearing their name.
This kind of goes back to the golden rule of doing to others as you would have them
do to you.
Shalom,
