Ethical Living in Pursuit of Wisdom: From Judaism – The Talmud, Part 1 of 2

In today’s episode, we invite you to listen to selections from the Tractate Aboth or Fathers of the Mishna in the Talmud, which touch on the benefits of studying the Torah, moral principles, and the connection between our actions and the Divine.

“Akabia ben Mahalalel says: Consider three things before thou commit a transgression: whence come thou, and where are thou going, and before Whom thou shall give an accounting.”

“Rabbi Haninah ben Teradion says: Two who sit without words of learning between them are as a session of scoffers, as was said: (Psalms 1:1) Nor sitteth in the seat of the scoffers. But two who sit and entertain words of the Torah, — the spirit of the Lord rests among them, as was said: (Malachi 3:16) Then they that feared the Lord spake often, one to the other and the Lord hearkened, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord and that thought upon His name. Of two it is spoken, but even one who sits by himself and studies the Law, the Lord, blessed be He, designates his reward, as was said: (Lamentations 3:28) He sitteth alone and keepeth silence, because he hath borne it upon him.”

“Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa says: He that puts the fear of sin above his wisdom, his wisdom will endure, but he that puts his wisdom above the fear of sin, his wisdom will not endure. He would say: He whose deeds are greater than his wisdom, his wisdom will endure, but he whose wisdom is greater than his deeds, his wisdom will not endure.

He used to say: He that gives satisfaction to men, satisfied the Lord, but he with whom mankind is not satisfied, does not satisfy the Lord.

Rabbi Dosa ben Harkinas says: Morning sleep, midday wine, childish talk, and sitting in the company of ignorant men, put a man out of the world.

Rabbi Eleazar of Modeim says: He that desecrates that which is holy, that profanes the feast days and shames his fellowman in public, that breaks the covenant of our father Abraham; he that interprets the Law not in accordance with the statutes— even if he possesses learning and good deeds— shall not have a share in the world to come.”