By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin

The Pesach memories are slowly fading. Our calendar is moving on. We are in the midst of counting Sefira, the days leading up to Shavuos, the yom tov commemorating HaShem’s giving us the Torah, and our continued commitment to it.

Sefira is our time to prepare for Shavuos. To reflect upon how we can better ourselves before renewing our vow of na’aseh v’nishma, we will do and we will listen. To think of what traits we can improve and contemplate ways to bring bracha into the lives of others, and while in the process find our own self-fulfillment.

We live in a world filled with countless self-help books, postings and podcasts on perfecting our relationships. As Jews, we are gifted with Pirkei Avos, the ultimate guidebook. A book filled with the timeless words of wisdom and advice from our sages. A guide to become a better you, to live an inspired life.

Pirkei Avos shares with us Torah teachings on religion, family, friends, work, community and even government. In short – the total human experience. Issues that are as much relevant today as they were generations ago.

On the long Shabbos afternoons between Pesach and Shavuos, it is customary to open our siddurim and turn to the teachings of Pirkei Avos. Six chapters, one for each of the Shabbosos of Sefira. The perfect Shavuos prep.

Pirkei Avos – literally, Chapters of the Fathers. The Bnei Yissaschar comments that the fathers are our avos, Avraham, Yitzchak and Yaakov. The teachings of Pirkei Avos reflect the life lessons gleaned from their actions.

An additional understanding is that the fathers of Pirkei Avos are our teachers, the “fathers of the Mishna”. Hillel and Shamai, Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, and so many others. Lastly, the avos includes us, those who transmit the teachings of our ancestors m’dor l’dor, from generation to generation.

This Shabbos, we study the second chapter of Pirkei Avos. It opens with a teaching of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, who compiled the Mishna, and was a master teacher. The Mishna opens with the word “Rebbi” and all know that this is referring to Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. He was a true tzaddik, earning him the additional title of Rabbeinu HaKadosh.

There are many stories of Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and the emperor Antoninus. Their connection goes back to their infancy. It was during the difficult years of Roman rule in Eretz Yisroel. Rav Shimon ben Gamliel and his wife were blessed with a baby boy, Yehuda. Defying Roman law, the baby underwent a bris. The Roman authorities learned of it, and Rav Gamliel, his wife and newborn were summoned to appear in court. Imagine the parents fear and trepidation as they made the trip to Rome. Tears were shed, and many tefillos were davened.

During their travels, they met a compassionate Roman woman, who also was a mother to a newborn. The two mothers began talking, and Rav Gamliel’s wife bared her heart to the Roman woman. The woman came up with a plan – the two mothers would make a switch. She would care for baby Yehuda, while Rav Gamliel’s wife would present the uncircumcised Roman infant, Antoninus, to the court.

The plan worked. The judges were in shock. Rav Gamliel and his wife were free to return home. After the two mothers re-exchanged their infants, they pledged that their sons would remain connected.

The Jewish baby grew to be the leader, Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. The Roman, to be the emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.

Rebbi and Antoninus, descendants of Yaakov and Eisav, representing Bnei Yisroel and the Roman Empire. Two opposing forces, yet with defiance and motherly love, a relationship was forged. A connection that led to a period of quiet and easing of the harsh persecution the Jews were subjected to under Hadrian rule.

There are many stories of Rebbi and Antoninus. Antoninus would often turn to Rebbi for advice and counsel. He would send gifts to Rebbi, who would then reciprocate. One time, Antoninus sent a most valuable gemstone. Rebbi reciprocated with a mezuzah. Antoninus was puzzled, asking how a simple piece of parchment could be worthier than a priceless stone. With his sharp acumen, Rebbi replied, “You sent me a gift I have to watch over, while I sent you a gift that will guard and protect you at all times.”

In this week’s Perek, Rebbi poses a question. “Which is the straight path that a person should choose for himself?” Among his teachings is, “Contemplate three things and you will not come to sin. Know what is above you. An eye that sees, an ear that hears, and all of your actions are written in a Book.” (Pirkei Avos 2:1) As I read the Mishna, my mother’s bracha came back to me. “Chaya Sorale… have nachas from yourself.” A bracha given with love. To be able to go to sleep at night with yishuv ha’daas, peace of mind. To know that you lived your day to the fullest. That you did “the right thing”. That you live with, and can even be proud of your actions. If we understand before we act, before we speak, that there a seeing eye, a hearing ear, and a recording of all that we do, we would think twice.

While the Mishna at first glance appears to emphasize yirah, the fear of heaven, there is another way to comprehend Rebbi’s words. The Mishna is teaching us that it is not merely about surveillance, but to also impart to us a sense of being seen and valued. The way of ahava, love. To realize that the eye that sees, the ear that hears and the book that records, is HaShem watching over us, seeing the good. The Torah we learn, the davening we do, and the mitzvos and good deeds we perform, are all recorded in a Book Above. A day will come when our neshama will be standing in the Heavenly court, and the Book will be opened and read. All the tzedakah given, the kind words shared, the bikur cholim visits we made, the help we offered, each one will be our advocate on the Final Day of Judgment.

A friend once commented to me, that she feels helpless after losing her parents. She no longer has the opportunity to keep the mitzva of kibud av v’eim, honoring one’s parents. I understood her pain. I too grappled with that sense of loss. And then I realized that every time we do a chesed, a kindness, a mitzva, we carry on in a way our loved ones would be proud of. We are fulfilling kibud av v’eim. They see, they know. We hope our actions are a source of nachas.

With his words, Rebbi is giving us the greatest life lesson. He may have lived 2,000 years ago, but his words speak to us today.

Shabbat Shalom!

Chaya Sora

Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]

This article was written L’zecher Nishmas / In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt’l