RABBI BEN ZION SNEH
In Pirkei Avos, Shamai says: One must learn Torah, making it the most important thing in one’s life. Speak little and accomplish much. But lastly, treat all people with respect and honor them no matter who they are.
We can learn much from the juxtaposition of all of Shammai’s statements. Yes, we must learn Torah, understanding that it is important. So important that the world itself rests upon our learning of the Torah.
We must not brag about our learning, we must speak little and accomplish much, Shamai tells us. Middos are important- don’t think you are better than everyone else if you take the time to work on yourself. Remember, humility is a worthy goal, sterling middos, and kabbalos or resolutions – are all wonderful and praiseworthy, the right things for us to concentrate on.
But, once we start to grow, we should never become haughty and think that we are better than others who have not undertaken to learn and to correct their middos, because that would be inconsistent with the Torah itself!
We must treat all people with respect. If we honor and love our fellow Jews we will accomplish much. Our Torah learning and the good middos we strive to perfect should never ever lead to us demeaning anyone!
Sefirah is over. But we still need to work on our middos. Let’s work on one important one. Being nice!
Good Shabbos! Good Shabbos!
