Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
In this beautiful and inspiring perek, known as Perek Kinyan Torah, we are invited to enter the inner sanctum of the Torah's greatness. The chapter opens with a warm and heartfelt praise of those who dedicate their lives to Hashem's Torah for its own sake, showing how the Torah refines a person's neshama, bringing them to humility, yiras Shamayim, and true spiritual royalty. We hear the powerful echo of the bat kol from Mount Horeb, reminding us of our deep connection to the Torah and the true freedom that comes only through its study.
As we progress, the perek guides us in the proper derech eretz and middos required to acquire this precious gift. We learn the immense honor we must show to anyone who teaches us even a single letter of Torah, and we are introduced to the forty-eight essential pathways through which Torah is acquired. From minimizing worldly pleasures to loving our fellow creatures and sharing their burdens, these mishnayos lay out a complete guide for our avodah.
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
מַעֲלַת הָעוֹסֵק בַּתּוֹרָה לִשְׁמָהּMishna 1 · The Greatness of One Who Occupies Himself with Torah for Its Own Sake
שָׁנוּtaughtחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesבִּלְשׁוֹןin the language ofהַמִּשְׁנָה,the MishnahבָּרוּךְBlessedשֶׁבָּחַרwho choseבָּהֶםthemוּבְמִשְׁנָתָם:and their teachingרַבִּיRabbiמֵאִירMeirאוֹמֵרsaysכָּלanyoneהָעוֹסֵקwho occupies himselfבַּתּוֹרָהwith the Torahלִשְׁמָהּ,for its own sakeזוֹכֶהmeritsלִדְבָרִיםthingsהַרְבֵּה.manyוְלֹאand notעוֹדonlyאֶלָּאbutשֶׁכָּלthat all ofהָעוֹלָםthe worldכֻּלּוֹentirelyכְדַיworthyהוּאisלוֹ.for himנִקְרָאhe is calledרֵעַ,friendאָהוּב,belovedאוֹהֵבlovesאֶת—הַמָּקוֹם,the Omnipresentאוֹהֵבlovesאֶת—הַבְּרִיּוֹת,humankindמְשַׂמֵּחַgladdensאֶת—הַמָּקוֹם,the Omnipresentמְשַׂמֵּחַgladdensאֶת—הַבְּרִיּוֹת.humankindוּמַלְבַּשְׁתּוֹand it clothes him inעֲנָוָהhumilityוְיִרְאָה,and reverenceוּמַכְשַׁרְתּוֹand it prepares himלִהְיוֹתto beצַדִּיקrighteousוְחָסִידand piousוְיָשָׁרand uprightוְנֶאֱמָן,and trustworthyוּמְרַחַקְתּוֹand it distances himמִןfromהַחֵטְא,sinוּמְקָרַבְתּוֹand it brings him closeלִידֵיto the hands ofזְכוּת,meritוְנֶהֱנִיןand people benefitמִמֶּנּוּfrom himעֵצָהcounselוְתוּשִׁיָּהand wisdomבִּינָהunderstandingוּגְבוּרָה,and strengthשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמשליProverbsחeightלִיmine isעֵצָהcounselוְתוּשִׁיָּהand wisdomאֲנִיI amבִינָהunderstandingלִיmine isגְבוּרָה.strengthוְנוֹתֶנֶתand it givesלוֹto himמַלְכוּתroyaltyוּמֶמְשָׁלָהand dominionוְחִקּוּרand analysis ofדִּין,judgmentוּמְגַלִּיןand they revealלוֹto himרָזֵיthe secrets ofתוֹרָה,Torahוְנַעֲשֶׂהand he becomesכְמַעְיָןlike a springהַמִּתְגַּבֵּרthat flows increasinglyוּכְנָהָרand like a riverשֶׁאֵינוֹthat does notפוֹסֵק,ceaseוֶהֱוֵיand he becomesצָנוּעַmodestוְאֶרֶךְand patient ofרוּחַ,spiritוּמוֹחֵלand forgivingעַלofעֶלְבּוֹנוֹ,insult to himוּמְגַדַּלְתּוֹand it magnifies himוּמְרוֹמַמְתּוֹand it exalts himעַלaboveכָּלallהַמַּעֲשִׂים:the creations
This passage details the spiritual and character-refining benefits that a person attains by studying Torah purely for its own sake.
מִשְׁנָה ב
עֶלְבּוֹנָהּ שֶׁל תּוֹרָה וְהַחֵרוּת הָאֲמִתִּיתMishna 2 · The Insult of Neglecting Torah and the True Freedom of Torah Study
אָמַרsaidרַבִּיRabbiיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaבֶּןson ofלֵוִי,Leviבְּכָלon everyיוֹםdayוָיוֹםand dayבַּתa daughter ofקוֹלa voiceיוֹצֵאתgoes outמֵהַרfrom MountחוֹרֵבChorevוּמַכְרֶזֶתand proclaimsוְאוֹמֶרֶת,and saysאוֹיwoeלָהֶםto themלַבְּרִיּוֹתto the creationsמֵעֶלְבּוֹנָהּfrom the insultשֶׁלofתּוֹרָה.Torahשֶׁכָּלfor everyoneמִיwhoשֶׁאֵינוֹwho is notעוֹסֵקoccupyingבַּתּוֹרָהin the Torahנִקְרָאis calledנָזוּף,rebukedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמשליMishleiיא11נֶזֶםa ring ofזָהָבgoldבְּאַףin the snout ofחֲזִירa pigאִשָּׁהa womanיָפָהbeautifulוְסָרַתand turning away fromטָעַם.discretionוְאוֹמֵרand it saysשמותShemosלב32וְהַלֻּחֹתand the tabletsמַעֲשֵׂהthe work ofאֱלֹהִיםGodהֵמָּהtheyוְהַמִּכְתָּבand the writingמִכְתַּבthe writing ofאֱלֹהִיםGodהוּאitחָרוּתengravedעַלuponהַלֻּחֹת,the tabletsאַלdo notתִּקְרָאreadחָרוּתengravedאֶלָּאunlessחֵרוּת,freedomשֶׁאֵיןfor there is notלְךָto youבֶןa son ofחוֹרִיןfreedomאֶלָּאunlessמִיoneשֶׁעוֹסֵקwho occupiesבְּתַלְמוּדin the study ofתּוֹרָה.Torahוְכָלand everyoneמִיwhoשֶׁעוֹסֵקwho occupiesבְּתַלְמוּדin the study ofתּוֹרָהTorahהֲרֵיbeholdזֶהthis oneמִתְעַלֶּה,is exaltedשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidבמדברBamidbarכא21וּמִמַּתָּנָהand from MattanahנַחֲלִיאֵלNachalielוּמִנַּחֲלִיאֵלand from Nachalielבָּמוֹת:Bamos
This passage teaches that true freedom and spiritual elevation are only achieved through diligent Torah study, while neglecting it brings spiritual rebuke.
מִשְׁנָה ג
הַחוֹבָה לִנְהוֹג כָּבוֹד בְּמִי שֶׁלִּמֵּד אֲפִלּוּ אוֹת אַחַתMishna 3 · The Obligation to Treat Anyone Who Taught You Even a Single Letter with Honor
הַלּוֹמֵדOne who learnsמֵחֲבֵרוֹfrom his fellowפֶּרֶקchapterאֶחָדoneאוֹorהֲלָכָהhalachaאַחַתoneאוֹorפָסוּקverseאֶחָדoneאוֹorדִבּוּרwordאֶחָדoneאוֹorאֲפִלּוּevenאוֹתletterאַחַת,oneצָרִיךְneedsלִנְהוֹגto behaveבּוֹtoward himכָבוֹד,with honorשֶׁכֵּןfor soמָצִינוּwe findבְדָוִדwith Dovidמֶלֶךְking ofיִשְׂרָאֵל,Yisraelשֶׁלֹּאwho notלָמַדlearnedמֵאֲחִיתֹפֶלfrom Achitofelאֶלָּאexceptשְׁנֵיtwoדְבָרִיםthingsבִּלְבָד,aloneקְרָאוֹcalled himרַבּוֹhis masterאַלּוּפוֹhis guideוּמְיֻדָּעוֹ,and his acquaintanceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidתהליםTehillimנה55וְאַתָּהAnd youאֱנוֹשׁa manכְּעֶרְכִּיmy equalאַלּוּפִיmy guideוּמְיֻדָּעִי.and my acquaintanceוַהֲלֹאAnd is it notדְבָרִיםmatters ofקַלa lightוָחֹמֶר,and heavyוּמַהAnd ifדָּוִדDovidמֶלֶךְking ofיִשְׂרָאֵל,Yisraelשֶׁלֹּאwho notלָמַדlearnedמֵאֲחִיתֹפֶלfrom Achitofelאֶלָּאexceptשְׁנֵיtwoדְבָרִיםthingsבִּלְבַדaloneקְרָאוֹcalled himרַבּוֹhis masterאַלּוּפוֹhis guideוּמְיֻדָּעוֹ,and his acquaintanceהַלּוֹמֵדone who learnsמֵחֲבֵרוֹfrom his fellowפֶּרֶקchapterאֶחָדoneאוֹorהֲלָכָהhalachaאַחַתoneאוֹorפָסוּקverseאֶחָדoneאוֹorדִבּוּרwordאֶחָדoneאוֹorאֲפִלּוּevenאוֹתletterאַחַת,oneעַלuponאַחַתoneכַּמָּהhow muchוְכַמָּהand how muchשֶׁצָּרִיךְthat he needsלִנְהוֹגto behaveבּוֹtoward himכָבוֹד.with honorוְאֵיןAnd there is noכָּבוֹדhonorאֶלָּאexceptתוֹרָה,Torahשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמשליMishleiג3כָּבוֹדHonorחֲכָמִיםsagesיִנְחָלוּ,shall inheritמשליMishleiכח28וּתְמִימִיםand the perfectיִנְחֲלוּshall inheritטוֹב,goodוְאֵיןAnd there is noטוֹבgoodאֶלָּאexceptתוֹרָה,Torahשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמשליMishleiד4כִּיForלֶקַחinstructionטוֹבgoodנָתַתִּיI have givenלָכֶםto youתּוֹרָתִיmy Torahאַלdo notתַּעֲזֹבוּ:forsake
This halacha teaches that even the smallest amount of Torah knowledge received from another obligates a person to show them great respect, as demonstrated by King Dovid's honor for Achitofel.
מִשְׁנָה ד
הַדֶּרֶךְ לִקְנִיַּת הַתּוֹרָה בְּחַיֵּי צַעַרMishna 4 · The Way to Acquire Torah Through a Life of Privation
כַּךְSuchהִיאisדַּרְכָּהּthe wayשֶׁלofתּוֹרָה,Torahפַּתbreadבְּמֶלַחwith saltתֹּאכַל,you shall eatוּמַיִםand waterבִּמְשׂוּרָהby measureתִשְׁתֶּה,you shall drinkוְעַלand onהָאָרֶץthe groundתִּישַׁן,you shall sleepוְחַיֵּיand a life ofצַעַרprivationתִּחְיֶה,you shall liveוּבַתּוֹרָהand in the Torahאַתָּהyouעָמֵל,laborאִםifאַתָּהyouעֹשֶׂהdoכֵן,soתהליםTehillimקכח128אַשְׁרֶיךָpraiseworthy are youוְטוֹבand it is goodלָךְ.for youאַשְׁרֶיךָpraiseworthy are youבָּעוֹלָםin the worldהַזֶּהthisוְטוֹבand it is goodלָךְfor youלָעוֹלָםin the worldהַבָּא:to come
This Mishnah outlines the path of self-denial and intense labor required to truly acquire Torah knowledge.
מִשְׁנָה ה
הַרְחָקָה מִן הַכָּבוֹד וַעֲשִׂיַּת הַתּוֹרָהMishna 5 · Distance from Honor and Performing the Torah
אַלDo notתְּבַקֵּשׁseekגְּדֻלָּהgreatnessלְעַצְמְךָ,for yourselfוְאַלand do notתַּחְמֹדcovetכָּבוֹד,honorיוֹתֵרmoreמִלִּמּוּדְךָthan your learningעֲשֵׂה,doוְאַלand do notתִּתְאַוֶּהyearnלְשֻׁלְחָנָםfor their tableשֶׁלofמְלָכִים,kingsשֶׁשֻּׁלְחָנְךָfor your tableגָדוֹלis greaterמִשֻּׁלְחָנָם,than their tableוְכִתְרְךָand your crownגָדוֹלis greaterמִכִּתְרָם,than their crownוְנֶאֱמָןand faithfulהוּאisבַּעַלthe Master ofמְלַאכְתְּךָyour workשֶׁיְּשַׁלֵּםWho will payלְךָto youשְׂכַרthe reward ofפְּעֻלָּתֶךָ:your labor
This halacha warns against seeking honor and greatness, emphasizing that one's actions must exceed one's learning, and that the spiritual reward of Torah is greater than any earthly royalty.
מִשְׁנָה ו
מַעֲלַת הַתּוֹרָה וְאַרְבָּעִים וּשְׁמֹנָה דְּבָרִים שֶׁהִיא נִקְנֵית בָּהֶםMishna 6 · The Greatness of Torah and the Forty-Eight Qualities by Which It Is Acquired
גְּדוֹלָהGreaterתוֹרָהTorahיוֹתֵרmoreמִןthanהַכְּהֻנָּהthe priesthoodוּמִןand thanהַמַּלְכוּת,the royaltyשֶׁהַמַּלְכוּתfor the royaltyנִקְנֵיתis acquiredבִּשְׁלֹשִׁיםwith thirtyמַעֲלוֹת,stagesוְהַכְּהֻנָּהand the priesthoodבְּעֶשְׂרִיםwith twentyוְאַרְבַּע,and fourוְהַתּוֹרָהbut the Torahנִקְנֵיתis acquiredבְּאַרְבָּעִיםwith fortyוּשְׁמֹנָהand eightדְבָרִים.thingsוְאֵלוּand theseהֵן,are theyבְּתַלְמוּד,by studyבִּשְׁמִיעַתby hearing ofהָאֹזֶן,the earבַּעֲרִיכַתby expression ofשְׂפָתַיִם,lipsבְּבִינַתby understanding ofהַלֵּב,the heartבְּשִׂכְלוּתby discernment ofהַלֵּב,the heartבְּאֵימָה,by aweבְּיִרְאָה,by fearבַּעֲנָוָה,by humilityבְּשִׂמְחָה,by joyבְּטָהֳרָה,by purityבְּשִׁמּוּשׁby attendance ofחֲכָמִים,Sagesבְּדִקְדּוּקby sharp analysis ofחֲבֵרִים,colleaguesוּבְפִלְפּוּלand by debate ofהַתַּלְמִידִים,the disciplesבְּיִשּׁוּב,by composureבַּמִּקְרָא,by Scriptureבַּמִּשְׁנָה,by Mishnahבְּמִעוּטby minimization ofסְחוֹרָה,businessבְּמִעוּטby minimization ofדֶּרֶךְway ofאֶרֶץ,the landבְּמִעוּטby minimization ofתַּעֲנוּג,pleasureבְּמִעוּטby minimization ofשֵׁינָה,sleepבְּמִעוּטby minimization ofשִׂיחָה,chatterבְּמִעוּטby minimization ofשְׂחוֹק,laughterבְּאֶרֶךְby patience ofאַפַּיִם,countenanceבְּלֵבby a heartטוֹב,goodבֶּאֱמוּנַתby faith inחֲכָמִים,Sagesוּבְקַבָּלַתand by acceptance ofהַיִּסּוּרִין,the sufferingsהַמַּכִּירone who recognizesאֶת—מְקוֹמוֹ,his placeוְהַשָּׂמֵחַand one who rejoicesבְּחֶלְקוֹ,in his portionוְהָעוֹשֶׂהand one who makesסְיָגa fenceלִדְבָרָיו,for his wordsוְאֵינוֹand does notמַחֲזִיקclaimטוֹבָהcreditלְעַצְמוֹ,for himselfאָהוּב,belovedאוֹהֵבlovingאֶת—הַמָּקוֹם,the Omnipresentאוֹהֵבlovingאֶת—הַבְּרִיּוֹת,the creaturesאוֹהֵבlovingאֶת—הַצְּדָקוֹת,the righteous waysאוֹהֵבlovingאֶת—הַמֵּישָׁרִים,the uprightnessאוֹהֵבlovingאֶת—הַתּוֹכָחוֹת,the reproofsמִתְרַחֵקkeeping farמִןfromהַכָּבוֹד,the honorוְלֹאand notמֵגִיסmaking haughtyלִבּוֹhis heartבְתַלְמוּדוֹ,in his studyוְאֵינוֹand does notשָׂמֵחַrejoiceבְּהוֹרָאָה,in rulingנוֹשֵׂאbearingבְעֹלthe yokeעִםwithחֲבֵרוֹ,his fellowמַכְרִיעוֹjudging himלְכַףto the scale ofזְכוּת,meritמַעֲמִידוֹestablishing himעַלuponהָאֱמֶת,the truthוּמַעֲמִידוֹand establishing himעַלuponהַשָּׁלוֹם,the peaceמִתְיַשֵּׁבsettlingלִבּוֹhis heartבְתַלְמוּדוֹ,in his studyשׁוֹאֵלaskingוּמֵשִׁיב,and answeringשׁוֹמֵעַlisteningוּמוֹסִיף,and addingהַלּוֹמֵדone who learnsעַלonמְנָתconditionלְלַמֵּדto teachוְהַלּוֹמֵדand one who learnsעַלonמְנָתconditionלַעֲשׂוֹת,to practiceהַמַּחְכִּיםone who makes wiseאֶת—רַבּוֹ,his teacherוְהַמְכַוֵּןand one who clarifiesאֶת—שְׁמוּעָתוֹ,his received teachingוְהָאוֹמֵרand one who saysדָּבָרa matterבְּשֵׁםin the name ofאוֹמְרוֹ,its authorהָאbeholdלָמַדְתָּyou have learnedשֶׁכָּלthat everyoneהָאוֹמֵרwho saysדָּבָרa matterבְּשֵׁםin the name ofאוֹמְרוֹits authorמֵבִיאbringsגְאֻלָּהredemptionלָעוֹלָם,to the worldשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidאסתרEstherבtwoוַתֹּאמֶרand she saidאֶסְתֵּרEstherלַמֶּלֶךְto the kingבְּשֵׁםin the name ofמָרְדֳּכָי:Mordechai
This Mishnah details the forty-eight essential character traits and methods of study required to acquire Torah knowledge, contrasting it with royalty and priesthood.
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מַעֲלַת הַתּוֹרָה וְהַחַיִּים הַנִּצְחִיִּים לְעוֹסְקֶיהָMishna 7 · The Greatness of Torah and the Eternal Life It Grants to Its Practitioners
גְּדוֹלָהGreatתוֹרָהis Torahשֶׁהִיאfor itנוֹתֶנֶתgivesחַיִּיםlifeלְעֹשֶׂיהָto those who practice itבָּעוֹלָםin the worldהַזֶּהthisוּבָעוֹלָםand in the worldהַבָּא,the comingשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמשליProverbsדfourכִּיForחַיִּיםlifeהֵםtheyלְמֹצְאֵיהֶםto those who find themוּלְכָלand to allבְּשָׂרוֹhis fleshמַרְפֵּא.a healingוְאוֹמֵרAnd it saysשםthereגthreeרִפְאוּתA cureתְּהִיit will beלְשָׁרֶךָto your navelוְשִׁקּוּיand a marrowלְעַצְמוֹתֶיךָ.to your bonesוְאוֹמֵרAnd it saysשםthereגthreeעֵץA tree ofחַיִּיםlifeהִיאitלַמַּחֲזִיקִיםto those who hold fastבָּהּto itוְתֹמְכֶיהָand those who support itמְאֻשָּׁר.are happyוְאוֹמֵרAnd it saysשםthereאoneכִּיForלִוְיַתa wreath ofחֵןgraceהֵםtheyלְרֹאשֶׁךָto your headוַעֲנָקִיםand necklacesלְגַרְגְּרֹתֶיךָ.to your throatוְאוֹמֵרAnd it saysשםthereדfourתִּתֵּןShe will giveלְרֹאשְׁךָto your headלִוְיַתa wreath ofחֵןgraceעֲטֶרֶתa crown ofתִּפְאֶרֶתgloryתְּמַגְּנֶךָּ.she will bestow on youוְאוֹמֵרAnd it saysשםthereטnineכִּיForבִיthrough meיִרְבּוּwill multiplyיָמֶיךָyour daysוְיוֹסִיפוּand they will increaseלְךָfor youשְׁנוֹתyears ofחַיִּים.lifeוְאוֹמֵרAnd it saysשםthereגthreeאֹרֶךְLength ofיָמִיםdaysבִּימִינָהּis in her right handבִּשְׂמֹאולָהּin her left handעֹשֶׁרrichesוְכָבוֹד.and honorוְאוֹמֵרAnd it saysשםthereכִּיForאֹרֶךְlength ofיָמִיםdaysוּשְׁנוֹתand years ofחַיִּיםlifeוְשָׁלוֹםand peaceיוֹסִיפוּthey will increaseלָךְ.for youוְאוֹמֵרAnd it saysשםthereדְּרָכֶיהָHer waysדַּרְכֵיare ways ofנֹעַםpleasantnessוְכָלand allנְתִיבוֹתֶיהָher pathwaysשָׁלוֹם:are peace
This Mishnah lists numerous verses from Proverbs to demonstrate that Torah study brings physical health, honor, and eternal life in both worlds.
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הַמִּדּוֹת הַנָּאוֹת לַצַּדִּיקִים וְהִתְקַיְּמוּתָן בְּרַבִּי וּבָנָיוMishna 8 · The Seven Qualities Becoming to the Righteous and Their Fulfillment in Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi
רַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonבֶּןbenיְהוּדָהYehudahמִשּׁוּםin the name ofרַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonבֶּןbenיוֹחַאיYochaiאוֹמֵר,saysהַנּוֹיbeautyוְהַכֹּחַand strengthוְהָעֹשֶׁרand wealthוְהַכָּבוֹדand honorוְהַחָכְמָהand wisdomוְהַזִּקְנָהand old ageוְהַשֵּׂיבָהand gray hairוְהַבָּנִים,and childrenנָאֶהare becomingלַצַּדִּיקִיםto the righteousוְנָאֶהand becomingלָעוֹלָם,to the worldשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidשםthereטזsixteenעֲטֶרֶתa crown ofתִּפְאֶרֶתglory isשֵׂיבָהgray hairבְּדֶרֶךְin the way ofצְדָקָהrighteousnessתִּמָּצֵא.it is foundוְאוֹמֵרand it saysשםthereכtwentyתִּפְאֶרֶתthe glory ofבַּחוּרִיםyouths isכֹּחָםtheir strengthוַהֲדַרand the beauty ofזְקֵנִיםold men isשֵׂיבָה.gray hairוְאוֹמֵרand it saysשםthereידfourteenעֲטֶרֶתthe crown ofחֲכָמִיםthe wise isעָשְׁרָם.their wealthוְאוֹמֵרand it saysשםthereיזseventeenעֲטֶרֶתthe crown ofזְקֵנִיםold men isבְּנֵיgrandchildrenבָנִים·וְתִפְאֶרֶתand the glory ofבָּנִיםchildren isאֲבוֹתָם.their fathersוְאוֹמֵרand it saysישעיהYeshayahuכדtwenty-fourוְחָפְרָהand shall be confoundedהַלְּבָנָהthe moonוּבוֹשָׁהand ashamedהַחַמָּה,the sunכִּיforמָלַךְreignsה'Hashemצְבָאוֹתof Hostsבְּהַרon MountצִיּוֹןZionוּבִירוּשָׁלַיִםand in Yerushalayimוְנֶגֶדand beforeזְקֵנָיוHis eldersכָּבוֹד.is honorרַבִּיRabbiשִׁמְעוֹןShimonבֶּןbenמְנַסְיָאMenasyaאוֹמֵר,saysאֵלּוּtheseשֶׁבַעsevenמִדּוֹתqualitiesשֶׁמָּנוּwhich listedחֲכָמִיםthe Sagesלַצַּדִּיקִים,for the righteousכֻּלָּםall of themנִתְקַיְּמוּwere fulfilledבְרַבִּיin Rabbiוּבְבָנָיו:and in his sons
This passage lists seven physical and spiritual blessings that are fitting for the righteous and the world, noting that all of them were realized in Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi and his family.
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מַעֲלַת הַתּוֹרָה וּמְקוֹם הַתּוֹרָה עַל פְּנֵי עֹשֶׁרMishna 9 · The Supreme Value of Dwelling in a Place of Torah Over Material Wealth
אָמַרSaidרַבִּיRabbiיוֹסֵיYoseבֶןson ofקִסְמָא,KismaפַּעַםtimeאַחַתoneהָיִיתִיI wasמְהַלֵּךְwalkingבַּדֶּרֶךְon the wayוּפָגַעand metבִּיmeאָדָםmanאֶחָד,oneוְנָתַןand gaveלִיto meשָׁלוֹם,greetingוְהֶחֱזַרְתִּיand I returnedלוֹto himשָׁלוֹם.greetingאָמַרHe saidלִי,to meרַבִּי,Rabbiמֵאֵיזֶהfrom whichמָקוֹםplaceאַתָּה.are youאָמַרְתִּיI saidלוֹ,to himמֵעִירfrom a cityגְּדוֹלָהgreatשֶׁלofחֲכָמִיםsagesוְשֶׁלand ofסוֹפְרִיםscribesאָנִי.I amאָמַרHe saidלִי,to meרַבִּי,Rabbiרְצוֹנְךָis your desireשֶׁתָּדוּרthat you dwellעִמָּנוּwith usבִמְקוֹמֵנוּ,in our placeוַאֲנִיand Iאֶתֵּןwill giveלְךָto youאֶלֶףa thousandאֲלָפִיםthousandsדִּינְרֵיdinars ofזָהָבgoldוַאֲבָנִיםand stonesטוֹבוֹתpreciousוּמַרְגָּלִיּוֹת.and pearlsאָמַרְתִּיI saidלוֹ,to himבְּנִי,my sonאִםifאַתָּהyouנוֹתֵןgiveלִיto meכָלallכֶּסֶףsilverוְזָהָבand goldוַאֲבָנִיםand stonesטוֹבוֹתpreciousוּמַרְגָּלִיּוֹתand pearlsשֶׁבָּעוֹלָם,that are in the worldאֵינִיI do notדָרdwellאֶלָּאexceptבִמְקוֹםin a place ofתּוֹרָה.Torahוְלֹאand notעוֹד,onlyאֶלָּאexceptשֶׁבִּשְׁעַתthat at the hour ofפְּטִירָתוֹpassingשֶׁלofאָדָםmanאֵיןdo notמְלַוִּיןaccompanyלוֹhimלָאָדָםthe manלֹאnotכֶסֶףsilverוְלֹאand notזָהָבgoldוְלֹאand notאֲבָנִיםstonesטוֹבוֹתpreciousוּמַרְגָּלִיּוֹת,and pearlsאֶלָּאexceptתוֹרָהTorahוּמַעֲשִׂיםand deedsטוֹבִיםgoodבִּלְבַד,aloneשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidמשליProverbsוsixבְּהִתְהַלֶּכְךָwhen you walkתַּנְחֶהit will leadאֹתָךְ,—בְּשָׁכְבְּךָwhen you lie downתִּשְׁמֹרit will watchעָלֶיךָ,over youוַהֲקִיצוֹתָand when you awakeהִיאitתְשִׂיחֶךָ.will talk with youבְּהִתְהַלֶּכְךָwhen you walkתַּנְחֶהit will leadאֹתָךְ,—בָּעוֹלָםin the worldהַזֶּה,thisבְּשָׁכְבְּךָwhen you lie downתִּשְׁמֹרit will watchעָלֶיךָ,over youבַּקֶּבֶר,in the graveוַהֲקִיצוֹתָand when you awakeהִיאitתְשִׂיחֶךָ,will talk with youלָעוֹלָםin the worldהַבָּא.to comeוְכֵןand soכָּתוּבit is writtenבְּסֵפֶרin the book ofתְּהִלִּיםPsalmsעַלbyיְדֵיthe hand ofדָוִדDovidמֶלֶךְking ofיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelתהליםPsalmsקיטone hundred and nineteen,טוֹבGoodלִיfor meתוֹרַתthe Torah ofפִּיךָYour mouthמֵאַלְפֵיthan thousands ofזָהָבgoldוָכָסֶף.and silverוְאוֹמֵרAnd it saysחגיHaggaiבtwoלִיMine isהַכֶּסֶףthe silverוְלִיand mine isהַזָּהָבthe goldאָמַרsaysה'Hashem ofצְבָאוֹת:Hosts
Rabbi Yose ben Kisma emphasizes that spiritual achievements and Torah study are the only true possessions that accompany a person after death.
מִשְׁנָה י
חֲמִשָּׁה קִנְיָנִים שֶׁקָּנָה הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא בְּעוֹלָמוֹMishna 10 · The Five Possessions Acquired by the Holy One Blessed is He in His World
חֲמִשָּׁהFiveקִנְיָנִיםpossessionsקָנָהacquiredלוֹfor Himselfהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy OneבָּרוּךְBlessedהוּאis Heבְעוֹלָמוֹ,in His worldוְאֵלּוּand theseהֵן,are theyתּוֹרָהTorahקִנְיָןpossessionאֶחָד,oneשָׁמַיִםheavenוָאָרֶץand earthקִנְיָןpossessionאֶחָד,oneאַבְרָהָםAvrahamקִנְיָןpossessionאֶחָד,oneיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelקִנְיָןpossessionאֶחָד,oneבֵּיתthe House ofהַמִּקְדָּשׁthe Sanctuaryקִנְיָןpossessionאֶחָד.oneתּוֹרָהTorahמִנַּיִן,from whereדִּכְתִיבas it is writtenמשליMishleiח8,ה'Hashemקָנָנִיpossessed meרֵאשִׁיתat the beginning ofדַּרְכּוֹHis wayקֶדֶםbeforeמִפְעָלָיוHis worksמֵאָז.of oldשָׁמַיִםheavenוָאָרֶץand earthקִנְיָןpossessionאֶחָדoneמִנַּיִן,from whereדִּכְתִיבas it is writtenישעיהYeshayahסו66,כֹּהthusאָמַרsaidה'Hashemהַשָּׁמַיִםthe heavenכִּסְאִיis My throneוְהָאָרֶץand the earthהֲדֹםthe footstool ofרַגְלָיMy feetאֵיwhereזֶהis thisבַיִתhouseאֲשֶׁרthatתִּבְנוּyou will buildלִיfor Meוְאֵיand whereזֶהis thisמָקוֹםplace ofמְנוּחָתִי,My restוְאוֹמֵרand it saysתהליםTehillimקד104מָהhowרַבּוּmanifold areמַעֲשֶׂיךָYour worksה'Hashemכֻּלָּםall of themבְּחָכְמָהwith wisdomעָשִׂיתָYou madeמָלְאָהfull isהָאָרֶץthe earth ofקִנְיָנֶךָ.Your possessionsאַבְרָהָםAvrahamקִנְיָןpossessionאֶחָדoneמִנַּיִן,from whereדִּכְתִיבas it is writtenבראשיתBereishisיד14,וַיְבָרְכֵהוּand he blessed himוַיֹּאמַרand he saidבָּרוּךְblessed isאַבְרָםAvramלְאֵלto GodעֶלְיוֹןMost HighקֹנֵהPossessor ofשָׁמַיִםheavenוָאָרֶץ.and earthיִשְׂרָאֵלYisraelקִנְיָןpossessionאֶחָדoneמִנַּיִן,from whereדִּכְתִיבas it is writtenשמותShemosטו15,עַדuntilיַעֲבֹרpasses overעַמְּךָYour peopleה'Hashemעַדuntilיַעֲבֹרpasses overעַםthe nationזוּthisקָנִיתָ,You have acquiredוְאוֹמֵרand it saysתהליםTehillimטז16לִקְדוֹשִׁיםto the holy onesאֲשֶׁרwhoבָּאָרֶץare in the earthהֵמָּהtheyוְאַדִּירֵיand the mighty onesכָּלallחֶפְצִיmy desireבָם.is in themבֵּיתthe House ofהַמִּקְדָּשׁthe Sanctuaryקִנְיָןpossessionאֶחָדoneמִנַּיִן,from whereדִּכְתִיבas it is writtenשמותShemosטו15,מָכוֹןthe foundation ofלְשִׁבְתְּךָYour dwellingפָּעַלְתָּYou have madeה'Hashemמִקְּדָשׁthe Sanctuaryה'Hashemכּוֹנְנוּestablishedיָדֶיךָ.Your handsוְאוֹמֵרand it saysתהליםTehillimעח78וַיְבִיאֵםand He brought themאֶלtoגְּבוּלthe border ofקָדְשׁוֹHis holinessהַרmountainזֶהthisקָנְתָהacquiredיְמִינוֹ:His right hand
This Mishnah lists the five special entities that Hashem designated as His cherished possessions in the universe, proving each from verses in Tanach.
מִשְׁנָה יא
כָּל מַה שֶּׁבָּרָא הַקָּדוֹשׁ בָּרוּךְ הוּא לִכְבוֹדוֹ וְרִבּוּי הַתּוֹרָה וְהַמִּצְוֹתMishna 11 · Everything Created for His Glory and the Abundance of Torah and Mitzvos
כָּלAllמַהthatשֶּׁבָּרָאwhich createdהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy OneבָּרוּךְBlessedהוּאis Heבְּעוֹלָמוֹ,in His worldלֹאnotבְרָאוֹdid He create itאֶלָּאexceptלִכְבוֹדוֹ,for His gloryשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidישעיהYeshayahuמג43,כֹּלeveryoneהַנִּקְרָאwho is calledבִשְׁמִיby My nameוְלִכְבוֹדִיand for My gloryבְּרָאתִיוI created himיְצַרְתִּיוI formed himאַףevenעֲשִׂיתִיו,I made himוְאוֹמֵרand it saysשמותShemosטו15,יְהֹוָהHashemיִמְלֹךְwill reignלְעֹלָםforeverוָעֶד.and everרַבִּיRabbiחֲנַנְיָאChananyaבֶּןbenעֲקַשְׁיָאAkashyaאוֹמֵר,saysרָצָהdesiredהַקָּדוֹשׁthe Holy OneבָּרוּךְBlessedהוּאis Heלְזַכּוֹתto meritאֶת—יִשְׂרָאֵל,YisraelלְפִיכָךְthereforeהִרְבָּהHe multipliedלָהֶםfor themתּוֹרָהTorahוּמִצְוֹת,and mitzvosשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidישעיהYeshayahuמב42ה'Hashemחָפֵץdesiresלְמַעַןfor the sake ofצִדְקוֹHis righteousnessיַגְדִּילto make greatתּוֹרָהTorahוְיַאְדִּיר:and make glorious
This passage concludes Pirkei Avos by explaining that all creation serves Hashem's glory and that He gave Yisrael many mitzvos to increase their merit.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter begins by extolling the immense spiritual rewards of learning Torah l'shma, explaining how it elevates a person above all worldly honors and grants them deep wisdom and refined middos. It warns against neglecting this holy pursuit, emphasizing that true freedom is found only in the Torah, and outlines the simple, self-disciplined lifestyle of one who labors in it. Finally, the perek details the forty-eight specific attributes and practices necessary to acquire Torah, concluding with the profound lesson that bringing Torah to life and citing our teachers in their name brings ultimate deliverance and eternal life to the world.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
In this beautiful perek, Chazal teach us a profound secret about true freedom: "There is no free man but one who occupies himself with the study of Torah." We often think of freedom as having no boundaries, no rules, and the ability to indulge in every passing desire. But the Mishnah turns this on its head. A person who is ruled by their physical desires, their worries about parnassah, or their pursuit of honor is not free at all; they are a prisoner to their own impulses and the expectations of society.
When you sit down to learn Torah, you are breaking those chains. You are connecting your neshama to the eternal, stepping above the noise of the world, and entering a realm of true spiritual independence. This is why the Torah is acquired through "a minimum of pleasure" and "a minimum of sleep." It is not about self-deprivation for its own sake; it is about realizing that your table is greater than the table of kings, and your crown is greater than theirs. You do not need the world's validation when you have Hashem's Torah.
To live this today, do not look at your set times for learning as another obligation on your to-do list. Look at it as your daily escape to freedom. Even if you only have fifteen minutes, step away from your phone, your business worries, and your daily stress. Realize that in these moments, you are a ben chorin, a truly free person.
Today, when you sit down for your daily shiur or open a sefer, take thirty seconds beforehand to close your eyes, breathe deeply, and consciously think: "For the next few minutes, I am leaving the worries of the world behind to experience true freedom with Hashem's Torah."