Seder Yomi

Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה

In this beautiful chapter of Pirkei Avos, we learn about the deep patterns of Hashem's creation and His hashgachah (divine providence) in the world. The Mishnah begins by showing us how Hashem structured history and nature around the number ten, starting from the ten utterances of creation, through the ten generations from Adam to Noah and Noah to Avraham, and the ten trials of Avraham Avinu. We are also reminded of the ten miracles in Mitzrayim and at the Yam Suf, the ten trials in the Wilderness, the ten wonders in the Beis HaMikdash, and the ten special things created at twilight on Erev Shabbos.

As the chapter continues, the focus shifts to the number seven and the number four, teaching us how to refine our middos and understand the spiritual consequences of our actions. The Mishnah contrasts the seven traits of a wise man with those of a clod, and details the seven types of punishments that come to the world for specific transgressions. Finally, we learn to analyze ourselves through various fourfold categories, including types of temperaments, types of disciples, and types of charity givers, guiding us on how to become truly pious in our service of Hashem.

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

הַבְּרִיאָה בַּעֲשָׂרָה מַאֲמָרוֹת וּשְׂכַר הַצַּדִּיקִיםMishna 1 · The Creation of the World with Ten Utterances and the Reward of the Righteous

בַּעֲשָׂרָהWith tenמַאֲמָרוֹתutterancesנִבְרָאwas createdהָעוֹלָם.the worldוּמַהand whatתַּלְמוּדteachingלוֹמַר,to sayוַהֲלֹאand is it notבְמַאֲמָרwith utteranceאֶחָדoneיָכוֹלit couldלְהִבָּרְאוֹת,be createdאֶלָּאbutלְהִפָּרַעto exact punishmentמִןfromהָרְשָׁעִיםthe wickedשֶׁמְּאַבְּדִיןwho destroyאֶת—הָעוֹלָםthe worldשֶׁנִּבְרָאthat was createdבַעֲשָׂרָהwith tenמַאֲמָרוֹת,utterancesוְלִתֵּןand to giveשָׂכָרrewardטוֹבgoodלַצַּדִּיקִיםto the righteousשֶׁמְּקַיְּמִיןwho sustainאֶת—הָעוֹלָםthe worldשֶׁנִּבְרָאthat was createdבַעֲשָׂרָהwith tenמַאֲמָרוֹת:utterances

This Mishnah explains that Hashem created the world with ten utterances rather than one to emphasize the gravity of destroying or sustaining His creation.

מִשְׁנָה ב

עֲשָׂרָה דוֹרוֹת מֵאָדָם עַד נֹחַ וּמִנֹּחַ עַד אַבְרָהָםMishna 2 · Ten Generations from Adam to Noach and from Noach to Avraham

עֲשָׂרָהTenדוֹרוֹתgenerationsמֵאָדָםfrom Adamוְעַדand untilנֹחַ,Noachלְהוֹדִיעַto make knownכַּמָּהhow muchאֶרֶךְpatienceאַפַּיִםof angerלְפָנָיו,is before Himשֶׁכָּלfor allהַדּוֹרוֹתthe generationsהָיוּwereמַכְעִיסִיןprovokingוּבָאִיןand continuingעַדuntilשֶׁהֵבִיאthat He broughtעֲלֵיהֶםupon themאֶת—מֵיthe waters ofהַמַּבּוּל.the floodעֲשָׂרָהTenדוֹרוֹתgenerationsמִנֹּחַfrom Noachוְעַדand untilאַבְרָהָם,Avrahamלְהוֹדִיעַto make knownכַּמָּהhow muchאֶרֶךְpatienceאַפַּיִםof angerלְפָנָיו,is before Himשֶׁכָּלfor allהַדּוֹרוֹתthe generationsהָיוּwereמַכְעִיסִיןprovokingוּבָאִין,and continuingעַדuntilשֶׁבָּאthat cameאַבְרָהָםAvrahamוְקִבֵּלand receivedעָלָיוupon himselfשְׂכַרthe reward ofכֻּלָּם:all of them

This Mishnah teaches the patience of Hashem with wicked generations and the ultimate reward of the righteous who offset their sins.

מִשְׁנָה ג

עֲשֶׂרֶת הַנִּסְיוֹנוֹת שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּMishna 3 · The Ten Trials of Avraham Our Father

עֲשָׂרָהWith tenנִסְיוֹנוֹתtrialsנִתְנַסָּהwas testedאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאָבִינוּour fatherעָלָיוupon himהַשָּׁלוֹםbe peaceוְעָמַדand he stoodבְּכֻלָּם,in all of themלְהוֹדִיעַto make knownכַּמָּהhow greatחִבָּתוֹthe belovednessשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאָבִינוּour fatherעָלָיוupon himהַשָּׁלוֹם:be peace

This Mishnah teaches that Avraham our father withstood ten distinct trials to demonstrate his immense love for Hashem.

מִשְׁנָה ד

עֲשָׂרָה נִסִּים וַעֲשָׂרָה נִסְיוֹנוֹת בְּמִצְרַיִם וּבַמִּדְבָּרMishna 4 · Ten Miracles and Ten Trials in Mitzrayim and the Wilderness

עֲשָׂרָהTenנִסִּיםmiraclesנַעֲשׂוּwere performedלַאֲבוֹתֵינוּfor our ancestorsבְמִצְרַיִםin Mitzrayimוַעֲשָׂרָהand tenעַלatהַיָּם.the seaעֶשֶׂרTenמַכּוֹתplaguesהֵבִיאbroughtהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy Oneבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heעַלuponהַמִּצְרִיִּיםthe Egyptiansבְּמִצְרַיִםin Mitzrayimוְעֶשֶׂרand tenעַלatהַיָּם.the seaעֲשָׂרָהTenנִסְיוֹנוֹתtrialsנִסּוּtestedאֲבוֹתֵינוּour ancestorsאֶת—הַמָּקוֹםthe Omnipresentבָּרוּךְblessedהוּאis Heבַמִּדְבָּר,in the wildernessשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברBamidbarיד14וַיְנַסּוּand they testedאֹתִיMeזֶהtheseעֶשֶׂרtenפְּעָמִיםtimesוְלֹאand notשָׁמְעוּthey listenedבְּקוֹלִי:to My voice

This Mishnah enumerates the ten miracles performed for our ancestors, the ten plagues brought upon the Egyptians, and the ten times the Jewish people tested Hashem in the wilderness.

מִשְׁנָה ה

עֲשָׂרָה נִסִּים שֶׁנַּעֲשׂוּ לַאֲבוֹתֵינוּ בְּבֵית הַמִּקְדָּשׁMishna 5 · Ten Wonders Wrought for Our Ancestors in the Beis HaMikdash

עֲשָׂרָהTenנִסִּיםwondersנַעֲשׂוּwere doneלַאֲבוֹתֵינוּfor our ancestorsבְּבֵיתin the House ofהַמִּקְדָּשׁ.the Sanctuaryלֹאnotהִפִּילָהmiscarriedאִשָּׁהa womanמֵרֵיחַfrom the odor ofבְּשַׂרthe meat ofהַקֹּדֶשׁ,the holyוְלֹאand notהִסְרִיחַbecame putridבְּשַׂרthe meat ofהַקֹּדֶשׁthe holyמֵעוֹלָם,everוְלֹאand notנִרְאָהwas seenזְבוּבa flyבְּבֵיתin the house ofהַמִּטְבָּחַיִם,the slaughterhouseוְלֹאand notאֵרַעoccurredקֶרִיan impurityלְכֹהֵןto a KohenגָּדוֹלGadolבְּיוֹםon the Day ofהַכִּפּוּרִים,the Atonementsוְלֹאand notכִבּוּextinguishedגְשָׁמִיםrainsאֵשׁthe fireשֶׁלofעֲצֵיthe wood ofהַמַּעֲרָכָה,the altar pileוְלֹאand notנָצְחָהprevailedהָרוּחַthe windאֶת—עַמּוּדthe column ofהֶעָשָׁן,the smokeוְלֹאand notנִמְצָאwas foundפְסוּלan invalidationבָּעֹמֶרin the Omerוּבִשְׁתֵּיand in the twoהַלֶּחֶםloavesוּבְלֶחֶםand in the bread ofהַפָּנִים,the Faceעוֹמְדִיםstandingצְפוּפִיםcrowdedוּמִשְׁתַּחֲוִיםyet bowingרְוָחִים,with ample spaceוְלֹאand notהִזִּיקharmedנָחָשׁa serpentוְעַקְרָבor a scorpionבִּירוּשָׁלַיִםin Yerushalayimמֵעוֹלָם,everוְלֹאand notאָמַרsaidאָדָםa manלַחֲבֵרוֹto his fellowצַרnarrowלִיfor meהַמָּקוֹםis the placeשֶׁאָלִיןthat I should lodgeבִּירוּשָׁלַיִם:in Yerushalayim

This Mishnah enumerates the ten supernatural miracles that occurred regularly in the Beis HaMikdash and in Yerushalayim during the pilgrimage festivals.

מִשְׁנָה ו

עֲשָׂרָה דְבָרִים שֶׁנִּבְרְאוּ בְּעֶרֶב שַׁבָּת בֵּין הַשְּׁמָשׁוֹתMishna 6 · Ten Miraculous Things Created on the Eve of Shabbos at Twilight

עֲשָׂרָהTenדְבָרִיםthingsנִבְרְאוּwere createdבְּעֶרֶבon the eve ofשַׁבָּתShabbosבֵּיןbetweenהַשְּׁמָשׁוֹת,the sunsוְאֵלּוּand theseהֵן,are theyפִּיthe mouth ofהָאָרֶץ,the earthוּפִיand the mouth ofהַבְּאֵר,the wellוּפִיand the mouth ofהָאָתוֹן,the donkeyוְהַקֶּשֶׁת,and the rainbowוְהַמָּן,and the mannaוְהַמַּטֶּה,and the staffוְהַשָּׁמִיר,and the shamirוְהַכְּתָב,and the writingוְהַמִּכְתָּב,and the inscriptionוְהַלּוּחוֹת.and the tabletsוְיֵשׁand someאוֹמְרִים,sayאַףalsoהַמַּזִּיקִין,the demonsוּקְבוּרָתוֹand the burial placeשֶׁלofמשֶׁה,Mosheוְאֵילוֹand the ramשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאָבִינוּ.our fatherוְיֵשׁand someאוֹמְרִים,sayאַףalsoצְבָתtongsבִּצְבָתwith tongsעֲשׂוּיָה:made

This Mishnah lists the supernatural creations that were brought into existence at the very end of the six days of creation, just before the first Shabbos.

מִשְׁנָה ז

הַהֶבְדֵּל בֵּין חָכָם לְגֹלֶםMishna 7 · The Seven Traits of a Wise Man and a Clod

שִׁבְעָהSevenדְבָרִיםthingsבַּגֹּלֶםin a clodוְשִׁבְעָהand sevenבֶחָכָם.in a wise manחָכָםa wise manאֵינוֹdoes notמְדַבֵּרspeakבִּפְנֵיbeforeמִיoneשֶׁהוּאwho isגָדוֹלgreaterמִמֶּנּוּthan heבְחָכְמָהin wisdomוּבְמִנְיָן,and in yearsוְאֵינוֹand does notנִכְנָסinterruptלְתוֹךְintoדִּבְרֵיthe words ofחֲבֵרוֹ,his fellowוְאֵינוֹand is notנִבְהָלhastyלְהָשִׁיב,to answerשׁוֹאֵלhe asksכָּעִנְיָןto the pointוּמֵשִׁיבand answersכַּהֲלָכָה,correctlyוְאוֹמֵרand he speaksעַלofרִאשׁוֹןthe firstרִאשׁוֹןfirstוְעַלand ofאַחֲרוֹןthe lastאַחֲרוֹן,lastוְעַלand concerningמַהwhatשֶּׁלֹּאthat notשָׁמַע,he heardאוֹמֵרhe saysלֹאnotשָׁמָעְתִּי,I have heardוּמוֹדֶהand he admitsעַלtoהָאֱמֶת.the truthוְחִלּוּפֵיהֶןand the reverse of themבַּגֹּלֶם:is in a clod

This Mishnah contrasts the intellectual and social refinement of a wise person with the uncultivated behavior of an unformed person.

מִשְׁנָה ח

שִׁבְעָה מִינֵי פֻרְעָנֻיּוֹת הַבָּאִין לָעוֹלָם עַל עֲבֵרוֹת שׁוֹנוֹתMishna 8 · Seven Kinds of Punishment that Come to the World for Various Transgressions

שִׁבְעָהSevenמִינֵיkinds ofפֻרְעָנֻיּוֹתpunishmentsבָּאִיןcomeלָעוֹלָםto the worldעַלforשִׁבְעָהsevenגוּפֵיcategories ofעֲבֵרָה.transgressionמִקְצָתָןwhen some of themמְעַשְּׂרִיןtitheוּמִקְצָתָןand some of themאֵינָןdo notמְעַשְּׂרִין,titheרָעָבa famineשֶׁלofבַּצֹּרֶתdroughtבָּאָה,comesמִקְצָתָןsome of themרְעֵבִיםare hungryוּמִקְצָתָןand some of themשְׂבֵעִים.are satisfiedגָּמְרוּwhen they decidedשֶׁלֹּאnotלְעַשֵּׂר,to titheרָעָבa famineשֶׁלofמְהוּמָהtumultוְשֶׁלand ofבַּצֹּרֶתdroughtבָּאָה.comesוְשֶׁלֹּאand when notלִטֹּלseparatingאֶת—הַחַלָּה,the challahרָעָבa famineשֶׁלofכְּלָיָהdestructionבָאָה.comesדֶּבֶרpestilenceבָּאcomesלָעוֹלָםto the worldעַלforמִיתוֹתdeath penaltiesהָאֲמוּרוֹתstatedבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torahשֶׁלֹּאthat were notנִמְסְרוּhanded overלְבֵיתto the courtדִּין,of lawוְעַלand forפֵּרוֹתfruits ofשְׁבִיעִית.the seventh yearחֶרֶבa swordבָּאָהcomesלָעוֹלָםto the worldעַלforעִנּוּיdelay ofהַדִּין,justiceוְעַלand forעִוּוּתperversion ofהַדִּין,justiceוְעַלand forהַמּוֹרִיםthose who teachבַּתּוֹרָהthe Torahשֶׁלֹּאnotכַהֲלָכָה:according to halacha

This Mishnah details how specific societal sins, such as neglecting tithes, perverting justice, and misinterpreting Torah, bring corresponding divine punishments like famine, pestilence, and war.

מִשְׁנָה ט

עוֹנְשֵׁי הָעֲבֵרוֹת וּזְמַנֵּי הַדֶּבֶרMishna 9 · Punishments for Transgressions and the Times of Pestilence

חַיָּהBeastרָעָהevilבָאָהcomesלָעוֹלָםto the worldעַלforשְׁבוּעַתswearingשָׁוְא,in vainוְעַלand forחִלּוּלprofanation ofהַשֵּׁם.the NameגָּלוּתExileבָּאָהcomesלָעוֹלָםto the worldעַלforעוֹבְדֵיworshipers ofעֲבוֹדָהworshipזָרָה,foreignוְעַלand forגִלּוּיuncovering ofעֲרָיוֹת,nakednessוְעַלand forשְׁפִיכוּתspilling ofדָּמִים,bloodוְעַלand forהַשְׁמָטַתrelease ofהָאָרֶץ.the landבְּאַרְבָּעָהAt fourפְרָקִיםperiodsהַדֶּבֶרthe pestilenceמִתְרַבֶּה,increasesבָּרְבִיעִית,in the fourthוּבַשְּׁבִיעִית,and in the seventhוּבְמוֹצָאֵיand at the departure ofשְׁבִיעִית,the seventhוּבְמוֹצָאֵיand at the departure ofהֶחָגthe Festivalשֶׁבְּכָלwhich is in everyשָׁנָהyearוְשָׁנָה.and yearבָּרְבִיעִית,In the fourthמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמַעְשַׂרtithe ofעָנִיthe poorשֶׁבַּשְּׁלִישִׁית.which is in the thirdבַּשְּׁבִיעִית,In the seventhמִפְּנֵיbecause ofמַעְשַׂרtithe ofעָנִיthe poorשֶׁבַּשִּׁשִּׁית.which is in the sixthוּבְמוֹצָאֵיAnd at the departure ofשְׁבִיעִית,the seventhמִפְּנֵיbecause ofפֵרוֹתfruits ofשְׁבִיעִית.the seventhוּבְמוֹצָאֵיAnd at the departure ofהֶחָגthe Festivalשֶׁבְּכָלwhich is in everyשָׁנָהyearוְשָׁנָה,and yearמִפְּנֵיbecause ofגֶזֶלtheft ofמַתְּנוֹתgifts ofעֲנִיִּים:the poor

This Mishnah details the specific sins that bring wild beasts and exile to the world, and explains the agricultural tithe-related sins that trigger pestilence at four specific times.

מִשְׁנָה י

אַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת בִּנְתִינָה וּבִנְטִילָהMishna 10 · Four Character Traits Regarding Giving and Taking

אַרְבַּעFourמִדּוֹתcharacter traitsבָּאָדָם.in manהָאוֹמֵרone who saysשֶׁלִּיmineשֶׁלִּיis mineוְשֶׁלְּךָand yoursשֶׁלָּךְ,is yoursזוֹthisמִדָּהis a traitבֵינוֹנִית.averageוְיֵשׁand someאוֹמְרִים,sayזוֹthisמִדַּתis the trait ofסְדוֹם.Sedomשֶׁלִּיmineשֶׁלְּךָis yoursוְשֶׁלְּךָand yoursשֶׁלִּי,is mineעַםan amהָאָרֶץ.ha'aretzשֶׁלִּיmineשֶׁלְּךָis yoursוְשֶׁלְּךָand yoursשֶׁלָּךְ,is yoursחָסִיד.a pious personשֶׁלִּיmineשֶׁלִּיis mineוְשֶׁלְּךָand yoursשֶׁלִּי,is mineרָשָׁע:a wicked person

This Mishnah outlines four distinct ethical attitudes toward personal property and charity, ranging from the wicked to the pious.

מִשְׁנָה יא

אַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת בַּדֵּעוֹת וּבְכַעַסMishna 11 · Four Types of Temperaments and Dispositions Regarding Anger

אַרְבַּעFourמִדּוֹתtemperamentsבַּדֵּעוֹת.in dispositionsנוֹחַEasyלִכְעֹסto become angryוְנוֹחַand easyלִרְצוֹת,to be appeasedיָצָאgoes outשְׂכָרוֹhis rewardבְהֶפְסֵדוֹ.in his lossקָשֶׁהHardלִכְעֹסto become angryוְקָשֶׁהand hardלִרְצוֹת,to be appeasedיָצָאgoes outהֶפְסֵדוֹhis lossבִשְׂכָרוֹ.in his rewardקָשֶׁהHardלִכְעֹסto become angryוְנוֹחַand easyלִרְצוֹת,to be appeasedחָסִיד.a pious personנוֹחַEasyלִכְעֹסto become angryוְקָשֶׁהand hardלִרְצוֹת,to be appeasedרָשָׁע:a wicked person

This Mishnah outlines four categories of human temperament based on how quickly a person becomes angry and how easily they are appeased.

מִשְׁנָה יב

אַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת בַּתַּלְמִידִים בַּהֲבָנָה וּבִזְכִירָהMishna 12 · Four Character Traits of Students in Comprehension and Retention

אַרְבַּעFourמִדּוֹתcharacter traitsבַּתַּלְמִידִים.among studentsמַהֵרQuickלִשְׁמֹעַto understandוּמַהֵרand quickלְאַבֵּד,to loseיָצָאgoes outשְׂכָרוֹhis rewardבְהֶפְסֵדוֹ.in his lossקָשֶׁהSlowלִשְׁמֹעַto understandוְקָשֶׁהand slowלְאַבֵּד,to loseיָצָאgoes outהֶפְסֵדוֹhis lossבִשְׂכָרוֹ.in his rewardמַהֵרQuickלִשְׁמֹעַto understandוְקָשֶׁהand slowלְאַבֵּד,to loseחָכָם.a wise personקָשֶׁהSlowלִשְׁמֹעַto understandוּמַהֵרand quickלְאַבֵּד,to loseזֶהthisחֵלֶקportionרָע:bad

This Mishnah categorizes students based on how quickly they grasp Torah concepts and how well they retain them.

מִשְׁנָה יג

אַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת בְּנוֹתְנֵי צְדָקָהMishna 13 · Four Attributes Among Givers of Charity

אַרְבַּעFourמִדּוֹתattributesבְּנוֹתְנֵיamong givers ofצְדָקָה.charityהָרוֹצֶהOne who wantsשֶׁיִּתֵּןthat he should giveוְלֹאand notיִתְּנוּshould giveאֲחֵרִים,othersעֵינוֹhis eyeרָעָהis evilבְּשֶׁלtowards that ofאֲחֵרִים.othersיִתְּנוּshould giveאֲחֵרִיםothersוְהוּאand heלֹאnotיִתֵּן,should giveעֵינוֹhis eyeרָעָהis evilבְשֶׁלּוֹ.towards his ownיִתֵּןhe should giveוְיִתְּנוּand should giveאֲחֵרִים,othersחָסִיד.a pious personלֹאnotיִתֵּןshould giveוְלֹאand notיִתְּנוּshould giveאֲחֵרִים,othersרָשָׁע:a wicked person

This Mishnah categorizes the four different attitudes people have toward giving charity and encouraging others to do so.

מִשְׁנָה יד

אַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת בְּהוֹלְכֵי לְבֵית הַמִּדְרָשׁMishna 14 · Four Character Traits Among Those Who Frequent the House of Study

אַרְבַּעFourמִדּוֹתcharacter traitsבְּהוֹלְכֵיamong those who goלְבֵיתto the house ofהַמִּדְרָשׁ.studyהוֹלֵךְone who goesוְאֵינוֹand does notעוֹשֶׂה,practiceשְׂכַרthe reward ofהֲלִיכָהgoingבְיָדוֹ.is in his handעוֹשֶׂהone who practicesוְאֵינוֹand does notהוֹלֵךְ,goשְׂכַרthe reward ofמַעֲשֶׂהpracticeבְיָדוֹ.is in his handהוֹלֵךְone who goesוְעוֹשֶׂה,and practicesחָסִיד.a pious manלֹאone who does notהוֹלֵךְgoוְלֹאand does notעוֹשֶׂה,practiceרָשָׁע:a wicked man

This Mishnah categorizes the spiritual standing of individuals based on their attendance at the house of study and their practical observance of the Torah.

מִשְׁנָה טו

אַרְבַּע מִדּוֹת בַּתַּלְמִידִים הַיּוֹשְׁבִים לִפְנֵי חֲכָמִיםMishna 15 · Four Types of Students Who Sit Before the Sages

אַרְבַּעFourמִדּוֹתtraitsבְּיוֹשְׁבִיםamong those who sitלִפְנֵיbeforeחֲכָמִים.Sagesסְפוֹג,a spongeוּמַשְׁפֵּךְ,and a funnelמְשַׁמֶּרֶת,a strainerוְנָפָה.and a sieveסְפוֹג,a spongeשֶׁהוּאwhichסוֹפֵגabsorbsאֶת—הַכֹּל.everythingמַשְׁפֵּךְ,a funnelשֶׁמַּכְנִיסthat takes inבְּזוֹat thisוּמוֹצִיאand lets outבְזוֹ.at thisמְשַׁמֶּרֶת,a strainerשֶׁמּוֹצִיאָהthat lets outאֶת—הַיַּיִןthe wineוְקוֹלֶטֶתand retainsאֶת—הַשְּׁמָרִים.the dregsוְנָפָה,and a sieveשֶׁמּוֹצִיאָהthat lets outאֶת—הַקֶּמַחthe flourוְקוֹלֶטֶתand retainsאֶת—הַסֹּלֶת:the fine flour

This Mishnah categorizes the different ways students absorb and retain the Torah teachings they hear from their Rabbis.

מִשְׁנָה טז

אַהֲבָה הַתְּלוּיָה בְּדָבָר וְאַהֲבָה שֶׁאֵינָהּ תְּלוּיָה בְּדָבָרMishna 16 · Love Dependent on a Thing and Love Not Dependent on a Thing

כָּלEveryאַהֲבָהloveשֶׁהִיאthat isתְלוּיָהdependentבְדָבָר,on a thingבָּטֵלceasesדָּבָר,the thingבְּטֵלָהceasesאַהֲבָה.the loveוְשֶׁאֵינָהּand that is notתְּלוּיָהdependentבְדָבָר,on a thingאֵינָהּis notבְּטֵלָהceasingלְעוֹלָם.foreverאֵיזוֹWhichהִיאisאַהֲבָהloveהַתְּלוּיָהthat is dependentבְדָבָר,on a thingזוֹthis isאַהֲבַתthe love ofאַמְנוֹןAmnonוְתָמָר.and Tamarוְשֶׁאֵינָהּand that is notתְּלוּיָהdependentבְדָבָר,on a thingזוֹthis isאַהֲבַתthe love ofדָּוִדDovidוִיהוֹנָתָן:and Yehonasan

The Mishnah contrasts selfish love based on external factors with selfless, enduring love.

מִשְׁנָה יז

מַחֲלֹקֶת לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִם וּמַחֲלֹקֶת שֶׁאֵינָהּ לְשֵׁם שָׁמַיִםMishna 17 · Disputes for the Sake of Heaven and Those That Are Not

כָּלEveryמַחֲלֹקֶתdisputeשֶׁהִיאthat isלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofשָׁמַיִם,Heavenסוֹפָהּits end isלְהִתְקַיֵּם.to endureוְשֶׁאֵינָהּand that which is notלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofשָׁמַיִם,Heavenאֵיןis notסוֹפָהּits endלְהִתְקַיֵּם.to endureאֵיזוֹWhichהִיאisמַחֲלֹקֶתa disputeשֶׁהִיאthat isלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofשָׁמַיִם,HeavenזוֹThis isמַחֲלֹקֶתthe dispute ofהִלֵּלHillelוְשַׁמַּאי.and Shammaiוְשֶׁאֵינָהּand that which is notלְשֵׁםfor the sake ofשָׁמַיִם,Heavenזוֹthis isמַחֲלֹקֶתthe dispute ofקֹרַחKorachוְכָלand allעֲדָתוֹ:his congregation

This Mishnah contrasts constructive disputes motivated by truth, like those of Hillel and Shammai, with destructive disputes motivated by self-interest, like that of Korach.

מִשְׁנָה יח

הַמְזַכֶּה אֶת הָרַבִּים וְהַמַּחֲטִיא אֶת הָרַבִּיםMishna 18 · One Who Leads the Multitudes to Merit or to Sin

כָּלAnyהַמְזַכֶּהwho causes to be righteousאֶת—הָרַבִּים,the multitudesאֵיןnoחֵטְאsinבָּאcomesעַלthroughיָדוֹ.his handוְכָלand anyהַמַּחֲטִיאwho causes to sinאֶת—הָרַבִּים,the multitudesאֵיןthey do notמַסְפִּיקִיןprovide opportunityבְּיָדוֹin his handלַעֲשׂוֹתto doתְּשׁוּבָה.repentanceמשֶׁהMosheזָכָהwas meritoriousוְזִכָּהand caused to be righteousאֶת—הָרַבִּים,the multitudesזְכוּתthe merit ofהָרַבִּיםthe multitudesתָּלוּיis hungבּוֹ,on himשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidדבריםDevarimלג33צִדְקַתthe righteousness ofה'Hashemעָשָׂהhe executedוּמִשְׁפָּטָיוand His ordinancesעִםwithיִשְׂרָאֵל.YisraelיָרָבְעָםYaravamחָטָאsinnedוְהֶחֱטִיאand caused to sinאֶת—הָרַבִּים,the multitudesחֵטְאthe sin ofהָרַבִּיםthe multitudesתָּלוּיis hungבּוֹ,on himשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמלכיםMelachimאIטו15עַלforחַטֹּאותthe sins ofיָרָבְעָםYaravamבֶּןson ofנְבָטNevatאֲשֶׁרwhichחָטָאhe sinnedוַאֲשֶׁרand whichהֶחֱטִיאhe caused to sinאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵל:Yisrael

This Mishnah contrasts the eternal reward of Moshe, who led Yisrael to righteousness, with the severe punishment of Yaravam, who led them to sin.

מִשְׁנָה יט

מִדּוֹתֵיהֶם שֶׁל תַּלְמִידֵי אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ וְתַלְמִידֵי בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁעMishna 19 · The Traits of the Disciples of Avraham and the Disciples of Bilaam

כָּלEveryמִיwhoשֶׁיֵּשׁthat hasבְּיָדוֹin his handשְׁלשָׁהthreeדְבָרִיםthingsהַלָּלוּ,theseמִתַּלְמִידָיוfrom the disciplesשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאָבִינוּ.our fatherוּשְׁלשָׁהand threeדְבָרִיםthingsאֲחֵרִים,otherמִתַּלְמִידָיוfrom the disciplesשֶׁלofבִּלְעָםBilaamהָרָשָׁע.the wickedעַיִןAn eyeטוֹבָה,goodוְרוּחַand a spiritנְמוּכָה,lowlyוְנֶפֶשׁand a soulשְׁפָלָה,humbleמִתַּלְמִידָיוfrom the disciplesשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאָבִינוּ.our fatherעַיִןAn eyeרָעָה,evilוְרוּחַand a spiritגְּבוֹהָה,haughtyוְנֶפֶשׁand a soulרְחָבָה,broadמִתַּלְמִידָיוfrom the disciplesשֶׁלofבִּלְעָםBilaamהָרָשָׁע.the wickedמַהWhatבֵּיןbetweenתַּלְמִידָיוthe disciplesשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאָבִינוּour fatherלְתַלְמִידָיוto the disciplesשֶׁלofבִּלְעָםBilaamהָרָשָׁע.the wickedתַּלְמִידָיוThe disciplesשֶׁלofאַבְרָהָםAvrahamאָבִינוּ,our fatherאוֹכְלִיןeatבָּעוֹלָםin the worldהַזֶּהthisוְנוֹחֲלִיןand inheritבָּעוֹלָםin the worldהַבָּא,the comingשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמשליMishleiח8לְהַנְחִילto cause to inheritאֹהֲבַיthose who love meיֵשׁ,substanceוְאֹצְרֹתֵיהֶםand their treasuriesאֲמַלֵּא.I will fillאֲבָלButתַּלְמִידָיוthe disciplesשֶׁלofבִּלְעָםBilaamהָרָשָׁעthe wickedיוֹרְשִׁיןinheritגֵּיהִנֹּםGehinnomוְיוֹרְדִיןand descendלִבְאֵרto the pit ofשַׁחַת,destructionשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidתהליםTehillimנה55וְאַתָּהAnd YouאֱלֹהִיםG-dתּוֹרִידֵםwill bring them downלִבְאֵרto the pit ofשַׁחַת,destructionאַנְשֵׁיmen ofדָמִיםbloodshedוּמִרְמָהand deceitלֹאnotיֶחֱצוּshall live out halfיְמֵיהֶם,their daysוַאֲנִיand Iאֶבְטַחwill trustבָּךְ:in You

This Mishnah contrasts the noble character traits and ultimate reward of Avraham's disciples with the destructive traits and punishment of Bilaam's disciples.

מִשְׁנָה כ

הַזְּרִיזוּת בַּעֲבוֹדַת הַבּוֹרֵא וּבוֹשֶׁת פָּנִיםMishna 20 · Alacrity in Serving the Creator and the Virtue of Shamefacedness

יְהוּדָהYehudahבֶןson ofתֵּימָאTemaאוֹמֵר,saysהֱוֵיbeעַזboldכַּנָּמֵר,as the leopardוְקַלand swiftכַּנֶּשֶׁר,as the eagleוְרָץand fleetכַּצְּבִי,as the gazelleוְגִבּוֹרand strongכָּאֲרִי,as the lionלַעֲשׂוֹתto doרְצוֹןthe will ofאָבִיךָyour Fatherשֶׁבַּשָּׁמָיִם.Who is in HeavenהוּאHeהָיָהused toאוֹמֵר,sayעַזthe brazenפָּנִיםfacedלְגֵיהִנֹּם,is for Gehinnomוּבֹשֶׁתand the shameפָּנִיםfacedלְגַןis for the Garden ofעֵדֶן.EdenיְהִיMay it beרָצוֹןthe willמִלְּפָנֶיךָfrom before YouיְיָHashemאֱלֹהֵינוּour Godשֶׁתִּבְנֶהthat You rebuildעִירְךָYour cityבִּמְהֵרָהspeedilyבְיָמֵינוּin our daysוְתֵןand grantחֶלְקֵנוּour portionבְתוֹרָתֶךָ:in Your Torah

This Mishnah exhorts a person to serve Hashem with the strength and speed of animals, while warning against brazenness and praying for the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash.

מִשְׁנָה כא

הַשְּׁלַבִּים בְּחַיֵּי הָאָדָם מִנֹּעַר וְעַד זִקְנָהMishna 21 · The Stages of a Person's Life from Youth to Old Age

הוּאHeהָיָהused toאוֹמֵר,sayבֶּןat the age ofחָמֵשׁfiveשָׁנִיםyearsלַמִּקְרָא,for Scriptureבֶּןat the age ofעֶשֶׂרtenלַמִּשְׁנָה,for Mishnahבֶּןat the age ofשְׁלשׁthirteenעֶשְׂרֵה·לַמִּצְוֹת,for mitzvosבֶּןat the age ofחֲמֵשׁfifteenעֶשְׂרֵה·לַתַּלְמוּד,for Talmudבֶּןat the age ofשְׁמֹנֶהeighteenעֶשְׂרֵה·לַחֻפָּה,for the bridal canopyבֶּןat the age ofעֶשְׂרִיםtwentyלִרְדֹּף,for pursuitבֶּןat the age ofשְׁלשִׁיםthirtyלַכֹּחַ,for strengthבֶּןat the age ofאַרְבָּעִיםfortyלַבִּינָה,for understandingבֶּןat the age ofחֲמִשִּׁיםfiftyלָעֵצָה,for counselבֶּןat the age ofשִׁשִּׁיםsixtyלַזִּקְנָה,for old ageבֶּןat the age ofשִׁבְעִיםseventyלַשֵּׂיבָה,for fullness of yearsבֶּןat the age ofשְׁמֹנִיםeightyלַגְּבוּרָה,for special strengthבֶּןat the age ofתִּשְׁעִיםninetyלָשׁוּחַ,for a bent bodyבֶּןat the age ofמֵאָהone hundredכְּאִלּוּis as ifמֵתhe is deadוְעָבַרand has passed awayוּבָטֵלand is ceasedמִןfromהָעוֹלָם:the world

This Mishnah outlines the ideal ages for milestones in Torah study, marriage, and physical and spiritual development throughout a person's life.

מִשְׁנָה כב

עֵרֶךְ הַתּוֹרָה וְהַהֲפִיכָה בָּהּMishna 22 · The Supreme Value of Torah and Constant Study of It

בֶּןBenבַּגBagבַּגBagאוֹמֵר,saysהֲפֹךְTurnבָּהּitוַהֲפֹךְand turnבָּהּ,itדְּכֹלָּאfor allבָהּ.is in itוּבָהּand in itתֶּחֱזֵי,gazeוְסִיבand grow oldוּבְלֵהand wear outבָהּ,in itוּמִנַּהּand from itלֹאdo notתָזוּעַ,budgeשֶׁאֵיןfor there is notלְךָto youמִדָּהa measureטוֹבָהbetterהֵימֶנָּה:than it

Ben Bag Bag teaches that one must constantly delve into the Torah because everything is contained within it.

מִשְׁנָה כג

שְׂכַר הַמִּצְוָה לְפִי הַקֹּשִׁיMishna 23 · The Reward of a Mitzvah is According to the Difficulty

בֶּןBenהֵאHeהֵאHeאוֹמֵר,saysלְפוּםAccording toצַעֲרָאthe painאַגְרָא:is the reward

Ben He He teaches that the spiritual reward for performing a mitzvah is commensurate with the effort and hardship endured in its fulfillment.

Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם

The chapter flows beautifully from cosmic history to personal avodah. It begins by establishing how Hashem created the world with ten utterances to reward the righteous and punish the wicked, tracing the ten generations of His long-suffering patience until Avraham Avinu withstood his ten trials. After detailing the miracles of the Exodus, the Beis HaMikdash, and the twilight creations of Erev Shabbos, the Mishnah transitions to the seven traits of a wise person versus a clod, and the seven spiritual punishments, like famine and pestilence, that come from neglecting mitzvos like tithes, shemittah, and justice. It concludes with a practical breakdown of human nature into four types of character, temperaments, disciples, and charity givers, showing us the path of the chassid (pious person) who strives to be slow to anger, quick to learn, and generous with his own possessions.

לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home

My dear talmid, look at the beautiful picture our Mishnah paints of the Beis HaMikdash. When the Yidden stood in the Azarah, they were packed together so tightly that there was no room to move. Yet, when the time came to bow down before the Ribono shel Olam, a miracle occurred: "ovdim tzfuﬁm umishtachavim revachim", they stood pressed together, but when they bowed, they had ample, spacious room.

This is not just a historical miracle of the past; it is a profound blueprint for our daily avodah. When we stand stiffly, holding onto our own space, our own ego, and our own demands, saying "mine is mine and yours is yours", the world feels incredibly tight, crowded, and full of friction. But the moment a Yid learns to bend, to humble himself, and to bow before Hashem and before his fellow Jew, Hashem creates a miracle of expansion. Suddenly, there is room for everyone. Humility does not diminish us; it is the very thing that creates space in our lives and in our homes.

Think about your interactions today. When we insist on being right, we crowd others out. But when we are "modeh al ha'emes", when we acknowledge the truth and yield our pride, just like the wise man described in our Mishnah, we bring the peace and spaciousness of the Beis HaMikdash into our very own lives.

Today, when you find yourself in a situation of tension or disagreement, consciously choose to "bow", yield on a small point of pride or let someone else have the last word, and watch how Hashem opens up the room around you.