<p><br></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">רַבִּי אוֹמֵר…&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; וֶהֱוֵי זָהִיר בְּ<span style="text-decoration: underline;" _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;">מִצְוָה קַלָּה כְּבַחֲמוּרָה</span>, שֶׁאֵין אַתָּה יוֹדֵעַ מַתַּן שְׂכָרָן שֶׁל <span style="text-decoration: underline;" _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;">מִצְוֹת</span>.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; וֶהֱוֵי מְחַשֵּׁב הֶפְסֵד <span style="text-decoration: underline;" _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;">מִצְוָה </span>כְּנֶגֶד שְׂכָרָהּ, ושְׂכַר עֲבֵרָה כְּנֶגֶד הֶפְסֵדָהּ (אבות ב:א):</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">בֶּן עַזַּאי אוֹמֵר, הֱוֵי רָץ לְ<span style="text-decoration: underline;" _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;">מִצְוָה קַלָּה כְּבַחֲמוּרָה</span>, וּבוֹרֵחַ מִן הָעֲבֵרָה. <span style="text-decoration: underline;" _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;">שֶׁמִּצְוָה </span>גּוֹרֶרֶת <span style="text-decoration: underline;" _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;">מִצְוָה</span>, וַעֲבֵרָה גוֹרֶרֶת עֲבֵרָה. שֶׁשְּׂכַר <span style="text-decoration: underline;" _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;">מִצְוָה</span>, <span style="text-decoration: underline;" _mce_style="text-decoration: underline;">מִצְוָה</span>. וּשְׂכַר עֲבֵרָה, עֲבֵרָה (אבות ד:ב):</span></p> <p>&nbsp; <span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">Two <em>mishnayot </em>in <em>Pirkei Avot</em>, one that quotes Rebbi Yehudah HaNasi<a href="#_ftn1" _mce_href="#_ftn1">^{^[1]}</a> and one that quotes Ben Azzai,<a href="#_ftn2" _mce_href="#_ftn2">^{^[2]}</a><em> </em>encourage us to value <em>mitzvah </em>fulfillment and avoid <em>aveirah </em>transgression<em>.</em> The <em>mishnayot </em>are similar in that both begin with the word <em>“havei” </em>and both encourage<a href="#_ftn3" _mce_href="#_ftn3">^{^[3]}</a> us to properly value <em>mitzvah </em>observance. <em></em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;"><strong>&nbsp; <br></strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;"><strong>Cost/Benefit&nbsp; </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">Let’s begin our study of Rebbi’s <em>mishneh </em>with the second part of his teaching, which urges us to conduct a cost/benefit analysis of the performance of both <em>mitzvot</em> and <em>aveirot</em>.<a href="#_ftn4" _mce_href="#_ftn4">^{^[4]}</a> Though <em>mitzvah</em> observance can sometimes be cumbersome, we should compare the great reward<a href="#_ftn5" _mce_href="#_ftn5">^{^[5]}</a> we receive to the (relatively) small sacrifice we make by observing them.<a href="#_ftn6" _mce_href="#_ftn6">^{^[6]}</a> Conversely, when tempted to violate <em>aveirot</em>, we should remind ourselves that the long-term loss outweighs the short-term pleasure or gain.</span></p> <p>&nbsp;<span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">The Gemara in Avodah Zarah<a href="#_ftn7" _mce_href="#_ftn7">^{^[7]}</a> elaborates on our <em>mishnah</em> and explains that the <em>yetzer hara </em>often lures us to sin by highlighting the pleasure we will receive from it. We need to “regain control” of ourselves by reflecting upon the long-term loss sin causes. The Gemara in Sotah<a href="#_ftn8" _mce_href="#_ftn8">^{^[8]}</a> teaches that people only sin if they are dominated by a <em>ruach shetut </em>(foolish spirit). One who carefully considers the true consequences of their actions<a href="#_ftn9" _mce_href="#_ftn9">^{^[9]}</a> will choose to fulfill <em>mitzvot </em>and avoid <em>aveirot.</em></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">In addition to helping us avoid future sins, our accurate appraisal of sin is also critical to our <em>teshuva</em> for sins committed in the past. We express this idea in the words we add to our <em>viduy</em> (confession of sin): “<em>Sarnu mi’mitzvotecha… v’lo shavah lanu — </em>We have veered from the path of your <em>mitzvot</em> and it was not worth it.”<a href="#_ftn10" _mce_href="#_ftn10">^{^[10]}</a> This admission and honest evaluation of our past sins distances us from them and helps us avoid future mistakes.</span></p> <p><br></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;"><strong>The Long-Term</strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">We have seen that Rebbi encourages us to consider the reward for <em>mitzvah </em>observance<em> </em>and the loss caused by sin. What kind of reward and loss is Rebbi referring to? Many commentaries<a href="#_ftn11" _mce_href="#_ftn11">^{^[11]}</a> understand Rebbi as focusing upon the <em>sechar </em>(reward) and <em>onesh </em>(punishment) we receive in the next world. The loss involved in performing a <em>mitzvah </em>and the pleasure offered by sin pale in comparison to the next world’s eternal and more meaningful reward and punishment.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">We can add that observing <em>mitzvah </em>and avoiding <em>aveirot </em>are beneficial to us in this world as well. Sin often offers instant gratification, but impacts us negatively later in life. This is why the Torah often uses the word <em>“yom”</em> to describe a person who chooses sin. For example, Yaakov asked Eisav to sell him the <em>bechor </em>(firstborn) rights “<em>hayom</em> — today.”<a href="#_ftn12" _mce_href="#_ftn12">^{^[12]}</a> The Seforno<a href="#_ftn13" _mce_href="#_ftn13">^{^[13]}</a> explains that Yaakov used this word to highlight why Eisav was unworthy of the <em>bechor </em>rights. One who prefers the short-term pleasures of today over meaningful long-term goals cannot be a link in the chain of Jewish generations that is rooted in eternal values.<a href="#_ftn14" _mce_href="#_ftn14">^{^[14]}</a>&nbsp;</span></p> <p><br></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;"><strong>What We Don’t Know </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">Though the cost/benefit analysis is helpful, it can also have a negative impact on the nature of our fulfillment. The focus on reward can cause people to pursue only the <em>mitzvot </em>they think offer the most reward. Rebbi preempts this at the start of the mishneh by noting that we do not actually know the exact reward given for each mitzvah. We should therefore “care” about all <em>mitzvot </em>equally — those we assume to be less significant as much as those we assume to be more.<a href="#_ftn15" _mce_href="#_ftn15">^{^[15]}</a></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">For this reason, <em>halachah </em>mandates principles like <em>“Ha’osek b’mitzvah patur min ha’mitzvah”<a href="#_ftn16" _mce_href="#_ftn16">^{<strong>^[16]</strong>}</a> </em>and<em> “Ein ma’avirin al ha’mitzvot”<a href="#_ftn17" _mce_href="#_ftn17">^{<strong>^[17]</strong>}</a> </em>which reject the prioritization of <em>mitzvot </em>presumed to be of greater significance. We seek to fulfill all <em>mitzvot </em>with equal passion and commitment irrespective of the different amount of reward we associate with each.</span></p> <p><br></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;"><strong>Why We Don’t Know </strong></span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;"><em>Chazal<a href="#_ftn18" _mce_href="#_ftn18">^{<strong>^[18]</strong>}</a></em> take this idea a step further by explaining that Hashem intentionally concealed the amount of <em>sechar</em> awarded for each <em>mitzvah </em>in order to avoid selective fulfillment.<em> </em>As we do not know the reward associated with each mitzvah, we have no choice but to commit ourselves to all them equally. The Midrash<a href="#_ftn19" _mce_href="#_ftn19">^{^[19]}</a> conveys this idea by comparing Hashem to a king who asks his subjects to plant an orchard for him. He avoids revealing his favorite type of tree in order to ensure that all the necessary species are planted.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">One question still remains: why does Hashem want us to fulfill all of the various <em>mitzvot</em> instead of focusing on the most important ones? Many <em>meforshim</em><a href="#_ftn20" _mce_href="#_ftn20">^{^[20]}</a> compare <em>mitzvot </em>to medicines or vitamins. Even if certain ones are more crucial to our health, all of them need to be included in our diet. Others<a href="#_ftn21" _mce_href="#_ftn21">^{^[21]}</a> link different <em>mitzvot </em>to various body parts. Our fingers may be less important than our heart, but they are still important; so too are the mitzvot meant to purify and sustain them.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">The Chasid Yavetz makes an additional point. Though we benefit from <em>mitzvah </em>observance, our main goal should be the fulfillment of Hashem’s will. <em>Avot</em>’s first <em>perek</em><a href="#_ftn22" _mce_href="#_ftn22">^{^[22]}</a> made this point when it warned us not to serve Hashem in order to receive reward. In this sense, all <em>mitzvot </em>are equal, as they are all expressions of Hashem’s will.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">In a similar vein, the Ramban<a href="#_ftn23" _mce_href="#_ftn23">^{^[23]}</a> quotes our <em>mishnah </em>as the basis of his assertion that all <em>mitzvot</em> are precious because they are all our way of thanking Hashem for having created us. As each <em>mitzvah</em> is an equal expression of Hashem’s will, they are each an equally precious way of thanking Him.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: large; font-family: times new roman, times;">Let’s make sure to heed Rebbi’s advice and constantly remind ourselves of how much we gain from <em>mitzvah </em>fulfillment and the price we pay for sin. May this inspire us to make wise decisions.</span></p> <div><br> <hr size="1"> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref1" _mce_href="#_ftnref1">^{^[1]}</a> Masechet Avot 2:1.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref2" _mce_href="#_ftnref2">^{^[2]}</a> Masechet Avot 4:2.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref3" _mce_href="#_ftnref3">^{^[3]}</a> The Maharal and Tosafot Yom Tov explain that this formulation implies that it is not just an <em>eitzah</em>; it is a directive, a <em>chiyuv</em>.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref4" _mce_href="#_ftnref4">^{^[4]}</a> Though our mitzvah observance should be motivated by the mission to serve Hashem as opposed to the goal of receiving reward (See Avot 1:3), reminding ourselves of the reward can help motivate us.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref5" _mce_href="#_ftnref5">^{^[5]}</a> Though Rebbi begins this <em>mishnah </em>by emphasizing that we do not know the exact reward received for each <em>mitzvah</em>, we do know that the reward received outweighs the “loss” incurred by performing it.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref6" _mce_href="#_ftnref6">^{^[6]}</a> The <em>Sefat Emet </em>adds that even if a <em>mitzvah </em>involves a <em>hefsed</em>, based upon the <em>mishnah </em>later in Avot (<em>l’fum tza’ara, agra — </em>Masechet Avot 5:23) we know that the <em>sechar</em> is even greater.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref7" _mce_href="#_ftnref7">^{^[7]}</a> Masechet Bava Batra 78b.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref8" _mce_href="#_ftnref8">^{^[8]}</a> Masechet Sotah 3a.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref9" _mce_href="#_ftnref9">^{^[9]}</a> In line with Rebbi Shimon’s statement in Masechet Avot 2:9 that the <em>derech yeshara </em>is <em>ha’roeh et ha’nolad.</em></span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref10" _mce_href="#_ftnref10">^{^[10]}</a> The literal meaning of the words also implies that sin is beneath us.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref11" _mce_href="#_ftnref11">^{^[11]}</a> See, for example, the commentary of the Rashbatz to the <em>mishnah</em>.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref12" _mce_href="#_ftnref12">^{^[12]}</a> Sefer Bereishit 25:31.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref13" _mce_href="#_ftnref13">^{^[13]}</a> Ibid. See also Ramban on Bereishit 25:34.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref14" _mce_href="#_ftnref14">^{^[14]}</a> For another example, see Sefer Bereishit 39:11 in light of the Gemara in Sotah 36b.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref15" _mce_href="#_ftnref15">^{^[15]}</a> See the commentaries of Rabbeinu Yonah and the Maharal to the <em>mishnah</em>,<em> </em>who explain that even regarding<em> lo taaseh’s</em> (prohibitions), the reward granted for avoiding the sin is not always proportional to the degree of punishment the Torah prescribes for their violation.</span></p> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;">The Rambam adds that even if we were able to gauge the <em>sechar</em> of one <em>mitzvah </em>relative to others, we would still not know how much reward we receive for a single <em>mitzvah</em>. Even small <em>mitzvot</em> earn a tremendous amount of reward. We should therefore be careful about them too.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref16" _mce_href="#_ftnref16">^{^[16]}</a> See Masechet Sukkah 25a.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref17" _mce_href="#_ftnref17">^{^[17]}</a> See Masechet Pesachim 64b.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref18" _mce_href="#_ftnref18">^{^[18]}</a> See Talmud Yerushalmi, Masechet Peah 1:1, Devarim Rabbah 6:2, Midrash Tanchuma Eikev 2 and Midrash Tehillim 9.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref19" _mce_href="#_ftnref19">^{^[19]}</a> Ibid.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref20" _mce_href="#_ftnref20">^{^[20]}</a> Such as Sefer Ha’Ikarim 4:20.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref21" _mce_href="#_ftnref21">^{^[21]}</a> See Tiferet Yisrael to Masechet Avot 2:1.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref22" _mce_href="#_ftnref22">^{^[22]}</a> Mesechet Avot 1:3.</span></p> </div> <div> <p><span style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;" _mce_style="font-size: medium; font-family: times new roman, times;"><a href="#_ftnref23" _mce_href="#_ftnref23">^{^[23]}</a> Ramban to Sefer Shemot 13:16.</span></p> </div> </div>