4.3: Talmud
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Reading Three: Talmud: Treatise 12 (The Fathers), Chapter Six
One of the main themes of the Talmud is praise for studying the Torah and Halakha, which are both often called the “law” in the Talmud. So this section discusses how great and blessed is the man who studies the Torah.
This section focuses on all the qualities of the man who studies the law and how much it will benefit his life. At the beginning of the passage it mentioned the “Mishna” which is the oldest portion of commentary on the Torah. The Mishna is one part of the commentary (with the Gemara being the other) that is collected into the Talmud.
The passage also mentions several rabbis (that’s what the R. stands for): Rabbi Meier and Rabbi Joshua. This is typical of the Talmud, which brings together around a single topic hundreds of years of writing/opinions of revered Jewish scholars. The passage also includes a few sentences discussing King David, a figure from the Tanakh, and his behavior towards a man who taught him about God’s law. This is also very typical of the Talmud – it will recount a passage from the Tanakh and then discuss what it should mean for our behavior today. So just as David, a King, treated a man with lower social standing than him with respect for teaching him, we should be very respectful to anyone who teaches us about God’s law.
Treatise 12: The Fathers, Chapter Six
The sages studied in the language of the Mishna; blessed be He who made a choice of them and their learning. R. Meier said, “he who is engaged in the study of the law for its own sake merits many things, and not only so, but the whole world is under the greatest obligation to him; he is called a dear friend, dear to God and dear to mankind; he rejlices God and rejoices his creatures. It clothes him with meekness and the fear of God, and directs him to become just, pious, righteous, and faithful; it removes him from sin, and brings him near to merit, and the world is benefited by his counsel, sound wisdom, understanding, and strength; as is said, "Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength." 2 It also bestows on him empire, dominion, and perception in judgment. It reveals the secrets of the law to him, and he shall be an increasing fountain, and a never-failing river; and it will cause him to be modest, slow to anger, and ready to pardon an injury done to him; and it will magnify and exalt him above all things…
He who learns from his companion one chapter, sentence, verse, or expression, ought to behave towards him with respect; for thus we find by David, King of Israel, who having learned only two things from Ahitophel, called him his teacher, guide, and acquaintance, as is said, "But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance." Hence it may be deduced that if David, King of Israel, who having learned only two things from Ahitophel, called him his "teacher, guide, and acquaintance," how much more ought he who learns from his companion a single chapter, sentence, verse, or expression, to show him the utmost respect? And there is no glory but the knowledge of the law; as is said, "The wise shall inherit glory;" and the perfect shall inherit the good; but nothing is really good but the law, as is said, "For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law."
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