Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this chapter, our holy Sages guide us on how to direct our hearts and actions to serve Hashem with true yiras Shamayim. We begin with the golden advice of Rabbi Yehudah Hanasi on choosing a straight path in life, balancing Torah study with a worldly occupation, and working for the sake of Heaven. The Mishnah warns us to be careful with the ruling authorities and teaches us to nullify our own will before the will of Hashem, ensuring our avodah is pure and complete.
We then learn the profound teachings of Hillel, who cautions us against separating from the community or trusting in ourselves before the day of our death. The chapter transitions into the legacy of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai and his five chashuve disciples. Through their holy discussions, we are shown the ultimate traits a Yid must cleave to, such as a good heart, and the destructive traits we must run away from, alongside practical guidance on honoring our friends and guarding ourselves from the yetzer hara.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
מִשְׁנָה א
הַדֶּרֶךְ הַיְּשָׁרָה וּזְהִירוּת בְּמִצְוֹתMishna 1 · The Straight Path and Caution in Mitzvos
רַבִּיRabbiאוֹמֵר,saysאֵיזוֹהִיwhich isדֶרֶךְa pathיְשָׁרָהstraightשֶׁיָּבֹרthat should chooseלוֹfor himselfהָאָדָם,a personכֹּלanyשֶׁהִיאthat isתִפְאֶרֶתan honorלְעוֹשֶׂיהָto its doerוְתִפְאֶרֶתand an honorלוֹto himמִןfromהָאָדָם.peopleוֶהֱוֵיand beזָהִירcarefulבְּמִצְוָהwith a mitzvahקַלָּהlightכְבַחֲמוּרָה,as with a grave oneשֶׁאֵיןfor notאַתָּהyouיוֹדֵעַknowמַתַּןthe giving ofשְׂכָרָןtheir rewardשֶׁלofמִצְוֹת.mitzvosוֶהֱוֵיand beמְחַשֵּׁבcalculatingהֶפְסֵדthe loss ofמִצְוָהa mitzvahכְּנֶגֶדagainstשְׂכָרָהּ,its rewardוּשְׂכַרand the reward ofעֲבֵרָהa transgressionכְנֶגֶדagainstהֶפְסֵדָהּ.its lossוְהִסְתַּכֵּלand lookבִּשְׁלשָׁהat threeדְבָרִיםthingsוְאִיand notאַתָּהyouבָאwill comeלִידֵיto the hands ofעֲבֵרָה,transgressionדַּעknowמַהwhat isלְּמַעְלָהaboveמִמְּךָ,youעַיִןan eyeרוֹאָהseeingוְאֹזֶןand an earשׁוֹמַעַת,hearingוְכָלand all ofמַעֲשֶׂיךָyour deedsבַסֵּפֶרin a bookנִכְתָּבִין:are written
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi teaches how to choose a proper path in life, the importance of valuing all mitzvos equally, and how constant awareness of Hashem prevents sin.
מִשְׁנָה ב
שִׁלּוּב תּוֹרָה וּמְלָאכָה וּפְעֻלָּה לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִםMishna 2 · Combining Torah Study with Work and Laboring for the Sake of Heaven
רַבָּןRabbanגַּמְלִיאֵלGamlielבְּנוֹhis sonשֶׁלofרַבִּיRabbiיְהוּדָהYehudahהַנָּשִׂיאthe Nasiאוֹמֵר,saysיָפֶהexcellent isתַלְמוּדstudy ofתּוֹרָהTorahעִםwithדֶּרֶךְworldlyאֶרֶץ,occupationשֶׁיְּגִיעַתfor the toil ofשְׁנֵיהֶםboth of themמְשַׁכַּחַתcauses to forgetעָוֹן.sinוְכָלand allתּוֹרָהTorahשֶׁאֵיןthat is notעִמָּהּwith itמְלָאכָה,workסוֹפָהּits end isבְּטֵלָהnullifiedוְגוֹרֶרֶתand dragsעָוֹן.sinוְכָלand allהָעֲמֵלִיםwho laborעִםwithהַצִּבּוּר,the communityיִהְיוּshouldעֲמֵלִיםlaborעִמָּהֶםwith themלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofשָׁמַיִם,Heavenשֶׁזְּכוּתfor the merit ofאֲבוֹתָםtheir forefathersמְסַיַּעְתָּןassists themוְצִדְקָתָםand their righteousnessעוֹמֶדֶתenduresלָעַד.foreverוְאַתֶּם,and as for youמַעֲלֶהreckonאֲנִיIעֲלֵיכֶםupon youשָׂכָרrewardהַרְבֵּהmuchכְּאִלּוּas ifעֲשִׂיתֶם:you accomplished
Rabban Gamliel teaches the importance of combining Torah study with a worldly occupation and serving the community with pure intentions.
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הַזְּהִירוּת מִן הַמַּלְכוּת וְהַשִּׁלְטוֹןMishna 3 · Being Careful in Dealings with the Ruling Authorities
הֱווּBeזְהִירִיןcarefulבָּרָשׁוּת,with the ruling-authorityשֶׁאֵיןfor they do notמְקָרְבִיןdraw nearלוֹ·לָאָדָםa personאֶלָּאexceptלְצֹרֶךְfor the need ofעַצְמָן.themselvesנִרְאִיןthey appearכְּאוֹהֲבִיןlike friendsבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofהֲנָאָתָן,their benefitוְאֵיןbut they do notעוֹמְדִיןstandלוֹfor himלָאָדָםfor a personבִּשְׁעַתat the time ofדָּחְקוֹ:his distress
This Mishnah warns a person not to rely on the friendship of government officials, as they only act out of self-interest.
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עֲשִׂיַּת רְצוֹן הַשֵּׁם וְהַנְהָגַת הָאָדָם עִם הַצִּבּוּרMishna 4 · Doing the Will of Hashem and Proper Conduct with the Community
הוּאHeהָיָהused toאוֹמֵר,sayעֲשֵׂהDoרְצוֹנוֹHis willכִרְצוֹנְךָ,like your willכְּדֵיso thatשֶׁיַּעֲשֶׂהHe will doרְצוֹנְךָyour willכִרְצוֹנוֹ.like His willבַּטֵּלNullifyרְצוֹנְךָyour willמִפְּנֵיbeforeרְצוֹנוֹ,His willכְּדֵיso thatשֶׁיְּבַטֵּלHe will nullifyרְצוֹןthe will ofאֲחֵרִיםothersמִפְּנֵיbeforeרְצוֹנֶךָ.your willהִלֵּלHillelאוֹמֵר,saysאַלDo notתִּפְרֹשׁseparate yourselfמִןfromהַצִּבּוּר,the communityוְאַלand do notתַּאֲמִיןtrustבְּעַצְמְךָin yourselfעַדuntilיוֹםthe day ofמוֹתְךָ,your deathוְאַלand do notתָּדִיןjudgeאֶת—חֲבֵרְךָyour fellowעַדuntilשֶׁתַּגִּיעַyou reachלִמְקוֹמוֹ,his placeוְאַלand do notתֹּאמַרsayדָּבָרa thingשֶׁאִיthat is notאֶפְשָׁרpossibleלִשְׁמֹעַ,to understandשֶׁסּוֹפוֹthat in the endלְהִשָּׁמַע.it will be understoodוְאַלand do notתֹּאמַרsayלִכְשֶׁאִפָּנֶהWhen I am freeאֶשְׁנֶה,I will studyשֶׁמָּאperhapsלֹאyou will notתִפָּנֶה:be free
This Mishnah teaches the importance of aligning one's will with Hashem's will, and provides essential ethical guidance from Hillel regarding community, humility, and Torah study.
מִשְׁנָה ה
מִדּוֹת הָאָדָם בְּתוֹרָה וּבְהַנְהָגַת הָעוֹלָםMishna 5 · Personal Traits for Torah Study and Ethical Conduct in Society
הוּאHeהָיָהused toאוֹמֵר,sayאֵיןnotבּוּרa bruteיְרֵאis fearing ofחֵטְא,sinוְלֹאand notעַםan ignoramusהָאָרֶץ·חָסִיד,piousוְלֹאand notהַבַּיְשָׁןthe bashful personלָמֵד,learnsוְלֹאand notהַקַּפְּדָןthe impatient personמְלַמֵּד,teachesוְלֹאand notכָלeveryoneהַמַּרְבֶּהwho increasesבִסְחוֹרָהin businessמַחְכִּים.becomes wiseוּבְמָקוֹםand in a placeשֶׁאֵיןwhere there are noאֲנָשִׁים,menהִשְׁתַּדֵּלstriveלִהְיוֹתto beאִישׁ:a man
Hillel teaches the essential character traits required for acquiring Torah, teaching others, and taking responsibility in a leaderless community.
מִשְׁנָה ו
מִדָּה כְּנֶגֶד מִדָּה וְעֹנֶשׁ הָרְשָׁעִיםMishna 6 · Measure for Measure and the Ultimate Punishment of Evildoers
אַףAlsoהוּאheרָאָהsawגֻלְגֹּלֶתa skullאַחַתoneשֶׁצָּפָהthat floatedעַלonפְּנֵיthe face ofהַמַּיִם.the waterאָמַרhe saidלָהּ,to itעַלbecauseדַּאֲטֵפְתְּ,you drownedאַטְפוּךְ.they drowned youוְסוֹףand the end ofמְטִיפַיִךְthose who drowned youיְטוּפוּן:will be drowned
Hillel Hazaken saw a floating skull and noted that those who commit violence will ultimately suffer the same fate.
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הַמַּרְבֶּה בְּתוֹרָה וּבִצְדָקָה מַרְבֶּה חַיִּים וְשָׁלוֹםMishna 7 · Increasing Torah and Charity Brings Life and Peace while Materialism Brings Worry
הוּאHeהָיָהused toאוֹמֵר,sayמַרְבֶּהOne who increasesבָשָׂר,fleshמַרְבֶּהincreasesרִמָּה.wormsמַרְבֶּהone who increasesנְכָסִים,possessionsמַרְבֶּהincreasesדְאָגָה.worryמַרְבֶּהone who increasesנָשִׁים,wivesמַרְבֶּהincreasesכְשָׁפִים.witchcraftמַרְבֶּהone who increasesשְׁפָחוֹת,maidservantsמַרְבֶּהincreasesזִמָּה.lewdnessמַרְבֶּהone who increasesעֲבָדִים,servantsמַרְבֶּהincreasesגָזֵל.robberyמַרְבֶּהone who increasesתוֹרָה,Torahמַרְבֶּהincreasesחַיִּים.lifeמַרְבֶּהone who increasesיְשִׁיבָה,sittingמַרְבֶּהincreasesחָכְמָה.wisdomמַרְבֶּהone who increasesעֵצָה,counselמַרְבֶּהincreasesתְבוּנָה.understandingמַרְבֶּהone who increasesצְדָקָה,charityמַרְבֶּהincreasesשָׁלוֹם.peaceקָנָהOne who has acquiredשֵׁםa nameטוֹב,goodקָנָהhas acquiredלְעַצְמוֹ.for himselfקָנָהone who has acquiredלוֹfor himselfדִבְרֵיwords ofתוֹרָה,Torahקָנָהhas acquiredלוֹfor himselfחַיֵּיthe life ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldהַבָּא:to come
Hillel teaches that while physical and material pursuits increase negative outcomes, spiritual pursuits like Torah study, wisdom, and charity bring lasting peace and eternal life.
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תַּלְמִידֵי רַבָּן יוֹחָנָן בֶּן זַכַּאי וּשְׁבָחָםMishna 8 · The Disciples of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai and Their Unique Virtues
רַבָּןRabbanיוֹחָנָןYohananבֶּןbenזַכַּאיZakkaiקִבֵּלreceivedמֵהִלֵּלfrom Hillelוּמִשַּׁמָּאי.and from ShammaiהוּאHeהָיָהused toאוֹמֵר,sayאִםIfלָמַדְתָּyou have learnedתוֹרָהTorahהַרְבֵּה,muchאַלdo notתַּחֲזִיקclaimטוֹבָהcreditלְעַצְמְךָ,for yourselfכִּיbecauseלְכָךְfor thisנוֹצָרְתָּ.you were createdחֲמִשָּׁהFiveתַלְמִידִיםdisciplesהָיוּwereלוֹto himלְרַבָּןto RabbanיוֹחָנָןYohananבֶּןbenזַכַּאי,Zakkaiוְאֵלּוּand theseהֵן,are theyרַבִּיRabbiאֱלִיעֶזֶרEliezerבֶּןbenהוֹרְקְנוֹס,Hyrcanusוְרַבִּיand RabbiיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaבֶּןbenחֲנַנְיָה,Hananiahוְרַבִּיand RabbiיוֹסֵיYoseהַכֹּהֵן,the Priestוְרַבִּיand RabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonבֶּןbenנְתַנְאֵל,Nethaneelוְרַבִּיand RabbiאֶלְעָזָרEleazarבֶּןbenעֲרָךְ.ArachהוּאHeהָיָהused toמוֹנֶהlistשִׁבְחָן.their praiseרַבִּיRabbiאֱלִיעֶזֶרEliezerבֶּןbenהוֹרְקְנוֹס,Hyrcanusבּוֹרis a cisternסוּדplasteredשֶׁאֵינוֹthat does notמְאַבֵּדloseטִפָּה.a dropרַבִּיRabbiיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaבֶּןbenחֲנַנְיָה,Hananiahאַשְׁרֵיpraiseworthy isיוֹלַדְתּוֹ.she who bore himרַבִּיRabbiיוֹסֵיYoseהַכֹּהֵן,the Priestחָסִיד.is a pious manרַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonבֶּןbenנְתַנְאֵל,Nethaneelיְרֵאfearsחֵטְא.sinוְרַבִּיand RabbiאֶלְעָזָרEleazarבֶּןbenעֲרָךְ,Arachמַעְיָןis a springהַמִּתְגַּבֵּר.that gathers forceהוּאHeהָיָהused toאוֹמֵר,sayאִםIfיִהְיוּthere would beכָלallחַכְמֵיthe Sages ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבְּכַףon a scale ofמֹאזְנַיִם,a balanceוֶאֱלִיעֶזֶרand EliezerבֶּןbenהוֹרְקְנוֹסHyrcanusבְּכַףon a scaleשְׁנִיָּה,secondמַכְרִיעַhe would outweighאֶת—כֻּלָּם.all of themאַבָּאAbbaשָׁאוּלShaulאוֹמֵרsaysמִשְּׁמוֹ,in his nameאִםIfיִהְיוּthere would beכָלallחַכְמֵיthe Sages ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelבְּכַףon a scale ofמֹאזְנַיִםa balanceוְרַבִּיand RabbiאֱלִיעֶזֶרEliezerבֶּןbenהוֹרְקְנוֹסHyrcanusאַףevenעִמָּהֶם,with themוְרַבִּיand RabbiאֶלְעָזָרEleazarבֶּןbenעֲרָךְArachבְּכַףon a scaleשְׁנִיָּה,secondמַכְרִיעַhe would outweighאֶת—כֻּלָּם:all of them
This Mishnah lists the five primary disciples of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai, detailing their unique spiritual and intellectual strengths.
מִשְׁנָה ט
הַדֶּרֶךְ הַיְּשָׁרָה וְהַדֶּרֶךְ הָרָעָה לָאָדָםMishna 9 · The Straight Path to Cleave to and the Evil Path to Avoid
אָמַרsaidלָהֶם,to themצְאוּgo outוּרְאוּand seeאֵיזוֹהִיwhich isדֶרֶךְa pathיְשָׁרָהstraightשֶׁיִּדְבַּקthat should cleaveבָּהּto itהָאָדָם.a personרַבִּיRabbiאֱלִיעֶזֶרEliezerאוֹמֵר,saysעַיִןan eyeטוֹבָה.goodרַבִּיRabbiיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaאוֹמֵר,saysחָבֵרa companionטוֹב.goodרַבִּיRabbiיוֹסֵיYoseאוֹמֵר,saysשָׁכֵןa neighborטוֹב.goodרַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonאוֹמֵר,saysהָרוֹאֶהone who seesאֶת—הַנּוֹלָד.the outcomeרַבִּיRabbiאֶלְעָזָרElazarאוֹמֵר,saysלֵבa heartטוֹב.goodאָמַרsaidלָהֶם,to themרוֹאֶהseeאֲנִיIאֶת—דִּבְרֵיthe words ofאֶלְעָזָרElazarבֶּןson ofעֲרָךְArachמִדִּבְרֵיכֶם,above your wordsשֶׁבִּכְלָלfor included inדְּבָרָיוhis wordsדִּבְרֵיכֶם.are your wordsאָמַרsaidלָהֶםto themצְאוּgo outוּרְאוּand seeאֵיזוֹהִיwhich isדֶרֶךְa pathרָעָהevilשֶׁיִּתְרַחֵקthat should distance himselfמִמֶּנָּהfrom itהָאָדָם.a personרַבִּיRabbiאֱלִיעֶזֶרEliezerאוֹמֵר,saysעַיִןan eyeרָעָה.evilרַבִּיRabbiיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaאוֹמֵר,saysחָבֵרa companionרָע.evilרַבִּיRabbiיוֹסֵיYoseאוֹמֵר,saysשָׁכֵןa neighborרָע.evilרַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonאוֹמֵר,saysהַלֹּוֶהone who borrowsוְאֵינוֹand does notמְשַׁלֵּם.repayאֶחָדoneהַלֹּוֶהwho borrowsמִןfromהָאָדָם,manכְּלֹוֶהis like one who borrowsמִןfromהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentבָּרוּךְblessedהוּא,is Heשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidתהליםTehillimלז37לֹוֶהborrowsרָשָׁעthe wickedוְלֹאand does notיְשַׁלֵּם,repayוְצַדִּיקbut the righteousחוֹנֵןis graciousוְנוֹתֵן.and givesרַבִּיRabbiאֶלְעָזָרElazarאוֹמֵר,saysלֵבa heartרָע.evilאָמַרsaidלָהֶם,to themרוֹאֶהseeאֲנִיIאֶת—דִּבְרֵיthe words ofאֶלְעָזָרElazarבֶּןson ofעֲרָךְArachמִדִּבְרֵיכֶם,above your wordsשֶׁבִּכְלָלfor included inדְּבָרָיוhis wordsדִּבְרֵיכֶם:are your words
Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai asks his disciples to identify the ultimate good trait and the ultimate bad trait for a person to adopt or avoid.
מִשְׁנָה י
כְּבוֹד חָבֵר וּמוֹרָא תַּלְמִידֵי חֲכָמִיםMishna 10 · Honoring One's Friend and Fearing the Sages
הֵםTheyאָמְרוּsaidשְׁלשָׁהthreeדְבָרִים.thingsרַבִּיRabbiאֱלִיעֶזֶרEliezerאוֹמֵר,saysיְהִיLet beכְבוֹדthe honor ofחֲבֵרְךָyour friendחָבִיבdearעָלֶיךָto youכְּשֶׁלָּךְ,as your ownוְאַלand do notתְּהִיbeנוֹחַeasyלִכְעֹס.to angerוְשׁוּבand repentיוֹםdayאֶחָדoneלִפְנֵיbeforeמִיתָתְךָ.your deathוֶהֱוֵיand beמִתְחַמֵּםwarming yourselfכְּנֶגֶדoppositeאוּרָןthe fire ofשֶׁל·חֲכָמִים,the Sagesוֶהֱוֵיand beזָהִירcarefulבְּגַחַלְתָּןwith their coalשֶׁלֹּאso that notתִכָּוֶה,you will be burnedשֶׁנְּשִׁיכָתָןfor their biteנְשִׁיכַתis the bite ofשׁוּעָל,a foxוַעֲקִיצָתָןand their stingעֲקִיצַתis the sting ofעַקְרָב,a scorpionוּלְחִישָׁתָןand their hissלְחִישַׁתis the hiss ofשָׂרָף,a serpentוְכָלand all ofדִּבְרֵיהֶםtheir wordsכְּגַחֲלֵיare like coals ofאֵשׁ:fire
Rabbi Eliezer teaches the importance of respecting others, controlling anger, repenting daily, and treating Torah scholars with immense caution and respect.
מִשְׁנָה יא
הַדְּבָרִים הַמּוֹצִיאִים אֶת הָאָדָם מִן הָעוֹלָםMishna 11 · Traits and Behaviors That Remove a Person from the World
רַבִּיRabbiיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaאוֹמֵר,saysעַיִןan eyeהָרָע,the evilוְיֵצֶרand the inclinationהָרָע,the evilוְשִׂנְאַתand hatred ofהַבְּרִיּוֹת,the creationsמוֹצִיאִיןremoveאֶת—הָאָדָםthe personמִןfromהָעוֹלָם:the world
Rabbi Yehoshua warns against the destructive spiritual and physical consequences of an evil eye, the evil inclination, and misanthropy.
מִשְׁנָה יב
כְּבוֹד מָמוֹן חֲבֵרוֹ וְעָמָל הַתּוֹרָהMishna 12 · Cherishing the Property of Others and Exerting Oneself in Torah Study
רַבִּיRabbiיוֹסֵיYoseאוֹמֵר,saysיְהִיlet beמָמוֹןthe property ofחֲבֵרְךָyour fellowחָבִיבas preciousעָלֶיךָupon youכְּשֶׁלָּךְ,as your ownוְהַתְקֵןand prepareעַצְמְךָyourselfלִלְמֹדto studyתּוֹרָה,Torahשֶׁאֵינָהּfor it is notיְרֻשָּׁהan inheritanceלָךְ.to youוְכָלand let allמַעֲשֶׂיךָyour deedsיִהְיוּbeלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofשָׁמָיִם:Heaven
Rabbi Yose teaches us to value our fellow's money as our own, to realize Torah requires personal effort rather than inheritance, and to dedicate all actions to Heaven.
מִשְׁנָה יג
הַזְּהִירוּת בִּקְרִיאַת שְׁמַע וּבַתְּפִלָּה וְשֶׁלֹּא לִהְיוֹת רָשָׁע בִּפְנֵי עַצְמוֹMishna 13 · Carefulness in Shema and Prayer and Not Viewing Oneself as Wicked
רַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonאוֹמֵר,saysהֱוֵיbeזָהִירcarefulבִּקְרִיאַתwith the reading ofשְׁמַעShemaוּבַתְּפִלָּה.and with the prayerוּכְשֶׁאַתָּהand when youמִתְפַּלֵּל,prayאַלdo notתַּעַשׂmakeתְּפִלָּתְךָyour prayerקֶבַע,a fixed routineאֶלָּאbutרַחֲמִיםcompassionוְתַחֲנוּנִיםand supplicationsלִפְנֵיbeforeהַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentבָּרוּךְblessedהוּא,is Heשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidיואלYoelבtwoכִּיforחַנּוּןgraciousוְרַחוּםand mercifulהוּאis Heאֶרֶךְslowאַפַּיִםto angerוְרַבand abundant inחֶסֶדkindnessוְנִחָםand relentingעַלofהָרָעָה.the evilוְאַלand do notתְּהִיbeרָשָׁעwickedבִּפְנֵיin front ofעַצְמְךָ:yourself
Rabbi Shimon teaches that prayer must be a heartfelt plea rather than a rote obligation, and that one should never despair and view themselves as irredeemably wicked.
מִשְׁנָה יד
שְׁקִידָה בַּתּוֹרָה, תְּשׁוּבָה לְאֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס, וְהַכָּרַת הַבּוֹרֵאMishna 14 · Diligence in Torah Study, Answering Heretics, and Knowing Your Employer
רַבִּיRabbiאֶלְעָזָרElazarאוֹמֵר,saysהֱוֵיbeשָׁקוּדdiligentלִלְמֹדto learnתּוֹרָה,Torahוְדַעand knowמַהwhatשֶּׁתָּשִׁיבto answerלְאֶפִּיקוֹרוֹס.to an epicurosוְדַעand knowלִפְנֵיbeforeמִיwhomאַתָּהyouעָמֵל.toilוְנֶאֱמָןand faithfulהוּאisבַעַלthe Master ofמְלַאכְתְּךָyour workשֶׁיְּשַׁלֶּםWho will payלָךְto youשְׂכַרthe reward ofפְּעֻלָּתֶךְ:your labor
Rabbi Elazar teaches the importance of diligent Torah study to defend the faith, and reminds us of the ultimate reward from our Divine Employer.
מִשְׁנָה טו
הַיּוֹם קָצָר וְהַמְּלָאכָה מְרֻבָּה בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁםMishna 15 · The Shortness of Life and the Greatness of Torah Study
רַבִּיRabbiטַרְפוֹןTarfonאוֹמֵר,saysהַיּוֹםthe dayקָצָרis shortוְהַמְּלָאכָהand the workמְרֻבָּה,is plentifulוְהַפּוֹעֲלִיםand the laborersעֲצֵלִים,are lazyוְהַשָּׂכָרand the rewardהַרְבֵּה,is greatוּבַעַלand the Masterהַבַּיִתof the Houseדּוֹחֵק:is pressing
Rabbi Tarfon uses the metaphor of a short workday and a pressing master to emphasize the urgency of Torah study and mitzvos.
מִשְׁנָה טז
הַחוֹבָה לַעֲסוֹק בַּתּוֹרָה וּשְׂכַר הַצַּדִּיקִיםMishna 16 · The Obligation to Study Torah and the Reward of the Righteous
הוּאHeהָיָהwasאוֹמֵר,sayingלֹאnotעָלֶיךָupon youהַמְּלָאכָהthe workלִגְמֹר,to completeוְלֹאand notאַתָּהyouבֶןa son ofחוֹרִיןfreedomלִבָּטֵלto desistמִמֶּנָּה.from itאִםifלָמַדְתָּyou studiedתוֹרָהTorahהַרְבֵּה,muchנוֹתְנִיםthey giveלְךָto youשָׂכָרrewardהַרְבֵּה.muchוְנֶאֱמָןand faithfulהוּאisבַעַלthe Master ofמְלַאכְתְּךָyour workשֶׁיְּשַׁלֵּםWho will payלְךָto youשְׂכַרthe reward ofפְּעֻלָּתֶךָ.your laborוְדַעand knowמַתַּןthe giving ofשְׂכָרָןthe reward ofשֶׁלofצַדִּיקִיםthe righteousלֶעָתִידis in the futureלָבֹא:to come
Rabbi Tarfon teaches that while one is not expected to complete the infinite task of Torah study, one is never free to abandon it, and the ultimate reward is paid in the World to Come.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter flows from foundational principles of personal avodah and communal responsibility into the deep teachings of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai and his disciples. We are taught to weigh the temporary loss of a mitzvah against its eternal reward, to avoid anger, and to repent daily. The Sages outline how positive traits like a good heart, a good eye, and a good companion bring a person closer to Hashem, while warning that an evil eye, the yetzer hara, and hatred of others can completely remove a person from the world. Ultimately, we are exhorted to treat our fellow's property with the same care as our own and to warm ourselves in the fire of the wise.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
In this chapter, Rabban Yohanan ben Zakkai asks his greatest disciples to find the one path a person must cleave to above all else. While they suggest beautiful paths like a good eye or a good friend, he points to the answer of Rabbi Elazar ben Arach: a "lev tov", a good heart. The Rebbe explains that a good heart is the root of everything; if the heart is pure and aligned with Hashem, then the eyes, the actions, and the relationships will naturally follow.
We often get caught up trying to fix every external detail of our lives, but the real avodah starts from within. When you work on cultivating a lev tov, you are building a foundation of genuine love for Hashem and His creations. This inner goodness is what transforms a person's entire life, ensuring that their Torah study and mitzvos are alive, warm, and true.
Today, before you speak to a family member, a coworker, or a neighbor, pause for one second and consciously bring a feeling of warmth and genuine goodwill into your heart toward them, letting your words flow from a true lev tov.