משנה, פרקי אבות א:ב
שמעון הצדיק היה משירי כנסת הגדולה הוא היה אומר על שלשה דברים העולם עומד על התורה ועל העבודה ועל גמילות חסדים:
Shimon the Righteous was a member of the Great Assembly. He used to say, "By three things the world exists: On the Torah, on worship and on acts of loving kindness."
[Soncino translation]
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. In what way Torah, worship, and acts of loving kindness each sustain the world? What would the world look like without each of these three?
2. What is an act of loving kindness? How is it unique compared to any good deed?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)