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Timeless Wisdom from the Jewish Sages

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Chapter 1, Mishna 5 – The Kindness Paradox

July 8, 2007

Genuine kindness occurs when our sole motivation is caring about the welfare of others. Yossi ben Yochanon from Jerusalem said: “Let your home be open wide to the multitudes. Let the poor be like children of your home. And don’t overemphasize light conversation with your spouse.” They said this about one’s own spouse, how much […]

Filed Under: Perek 1, The Potential of Man, Year 18

Chapter 1, Mishna 4 – Active Learning

June 8, 2007

To truly understand Torah, philosophical principles need to be translated into action.   Yossi Ben Yo’ezer from Tzreida and Yossi Ben Yochanon from Jerusalem received the tradition from them. Yossi Ben Yo’ezer from Tzreida said: “Let your home be a gathering place for scholars, get dusty (wrestle) in the dust of their feet, and drink […]

Filed Under: 1:4, Perek 1, The Potential of Man, Year 18

Chapter 1, Mishna 3 – Mind-Boggling Choices

May 8, 2007

God could have created a bunch of puppets. He created humans instead. Antigonos of Sokho received the tradition from Shimon HaTzaddik. He used to say: “Be not like servants who serve the master on condition that they receive a reward. Rather be like servants who serve the master irrespective of any reward. And let the […]

Filed Under: 1:3, Perek 1, The Potential of Man, Year 18

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