Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Ponderings of the Perkei Avot 2:17-21


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.”

Matt. 9:37-38 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.

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