Humility, Proper Conduct and the Importance of Peace: From Judaism – The Talmud, Part 1 of 2

We are honored to present excerpts from Chapter 6 of “Tract Aboth,” commonly known as “Ethics of the Fathers,” a profound and timeless section of the Talmud. Rabbi Joshua ben Levi teaches that true freedom and spiritual greatness come through the study and practice of the Torah, which surpasses all worldly honors. Even learning a single word from another deserves respect, and a life devoted to Torah brings blessings in this world and the next.

Tract Aboth Chapter 6

“Rabbi Simeon ben Menassia said in the name of Rabbi Simeon ben Jo’hai: ‘Comeliness, and strength, and wealth, and honor, and wisdom, and age, and hoariness, and sons are becoming to the righteous, and becoming to the world, as it is written [Proverbs 16:31]: 'An ornamental crown is the hoary head, on the way of righteousness can it be found.' And it is also written [Proverbs 20:29]: 'The ornament of young men is their strength; and the glory of old men is a hoary head'; and again [Proverbs 17:6]: 'The crown of old men is children's children; and the ornament of children are their fathers'; and again [Isaiah 24:23]; 'And the Moon shall be put to the blush, and the Sun be made ashamed; for the Lord of Hosts will reign on Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before His ancients in glory.'’ Rabbi Simeon ben Menassia said: ‘Those seven qualities which the wise have reckoned to the righteous were all of them confirmed in Rabbi and his sons.’ […]”

“Rabbi Jose ben Qisma said: ‘[…] He said to me: “Rabbi, from what place are thou?” I said to him: “From a great city of wise men and scribes am I.” He said to me: “Rabbi, should you like to dwell with us in our place? I will give thee a thousand thousand dinars of gold, and goodly stones, and jewels.” I said to him: If thou should give me all the silver, gold, and goodly stones, and jewels that are in the world, I would not dwell but in a place of Torah, as it is written in the Book of Psalms by the hand of David, King of Israel [Psalms 119:72]: “Better is unto Me the law of thy mouth than thousands of gold and silver.” Moreover, in the hour of a man’s decease, not silver, not gold, nor goodly stones and jewels, accompany the man, but Torah and good words alone, as it is written [Proverbs 6:22]: “When thou walk it shall lead thee, when thou lies down it shall watch over thee; when thou are awake it shall converse with thee.” […]’”