(א) בֶּן זוֹמָא אוֹמֵר, אֵיזֶהוּ חָכָם, הַלּוֹמֵד מִכָּל אָדָם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קיט) מִכָּל מְלַמְּדַי הִשְׂכַּלְתִּי כִּי עֵדְוֹתֶיךָ שִׂיחָה לִּי. אֵיזֶהוּ גִבּוֹר, הַכּוֹבֵשׁ אֶת יִצְרוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי טז) טוֹב אֶרֶךְ אַפַּיִם מִגִּבּוֹר וּמשֵׁל בְּרוּחוֹ מִלֹּכֵד עִיר. אֵיזֶהוּ עָשִׁיר, הַשָּׂמֵחַ בְּחֶלְקוֹ, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים קכח) יְגִיעַ כַּפֶּיךָ כִּי תֹאכֵל אַשְׁרֶיךָ וְטוֹב לָךְ. אַשְׁרֶיךָ, בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה. וְטוֹב לָךְ, לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. אֵיזֶהוּ מְכֻבָּד, הַמְכַבֵּד אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (שמואל א ב) כִּי מְכַבְּדַי אֲכַבֵּד וּבֹזַי יֵקָלּוּ:
(1) Ben Zoma said:Who is wise? The one who learns from every person, as it is said: “From all who taught me have I gained understanding, for your testimony is my conversation.” (Psalms 119:99). Who is mighty? The one who subdues his [evil] inclination, as it is said: “The one who is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and the one who rules his spirit [is better] than one who captures a city” (Proverbs 16:3). Who is rich? The one who rejoices in his portion, as it is said: “You shall enjoy the fruit of your labors, you shall be happy and you shall prosper” (Psalms 128:2) “You shall be happy” in this world, “and you shall prosper” in the world to come. Who is one that is honored? The one who honors the briyot [humans, lit. "creations"], as it is said: “For I honor those that honor Me, but those who spurn Me shall be dishonored” (I Samuel 2:30).
1. Name three different people, organizations, or groups from whom you have learned something important.
2. Describe the way you encountered these people, organizations, or groups. What is/was their relationship to you, what did they teach you, and how did they teach it to you?
3. What do the three teachers you named have in common? What are the differences between them?
4. Can you determine a common thread throughout this mishna (teaching)? What theme(s) tie(s) everything together?
(ו) יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן פְּרַחְיָה וְנִתַּאי הָאַרְבֵּלִי קִבְּלוּ מֵהֶם. יְהוֹשֻׁעַ בֶּן פְּרַחְיָה אוֹמֵר, עֲשֵׂה לְךָ רַב, וּקְנֵה לְךָ חָבֵר, וֶהֱוֵי דָן אֶת כָּל הָאָדָם לְכַף זְכוּת:
(ז) נִתַּאי הָאַרְבֵּלִי אוֹמֵר, הַרְחֵק מִשָּׁכֵן רָע, וְאַל תִּתְחַבֵּר לָרָשָׁע, וְאַל תִּתְיָאֵשׁ מִן הַפֻּרְעָנוּת:
(6) Yehoshua ben Perahiah and Nittai the Arbelite received [the oral tradition] from them [previous generations of sages]. Yehoshua ben Perahiah used to say: make for yourself a teacher, and acquire for yourself a friend, and judge all people in the direction of merit [give people the benefit of the doubt].
(7) Nittai the Arbelite used to say: distance yourself from an evil neighbor, do not become attached to the wicked, and do not abandon faith in [divine] retribution.
1. Why do you think Yehoshua Ben Perahiah chose the verb "make" ׳׳עשה׳׳ with respect to teachers? How have you "made" or how do you "make" for yourself a teacher? What are the steps in the process?
2. Why do you think Yehoshua Ben Perahiah chose the verb "acquire" ׳׳קנה׳׳ with respect to friends? How have you "acquired" or how do you "acquire" for yourself a friend? What are the steps in the process?
3. In what ways does Yehoshua Ben Perahiah's third statement contribute to the first two?
4. How do Nittai the Arbelite's teachings mesh with those of Yehoshua Ben Perahiah?
5. In what ways do the categories of friends and teachers overlap? Is it ideal for your teachers to be your friends?
(6) Lazybones, go to the ant! Sees its ways and become wise.
1. What does this verse tell us about who our teachers can be?
2. How does this verse elucidate the process of finding those teachers?
3. What wisdom can you discern from the ant?
(טו) שַׁמַּאי אוֹמֵר, עֲשֵׂה תוֹרָתְךָ קֶבַע. אֱמֹר מְעַט וַעֲשֵׂה הַרְבֵּה, וֶהֱוֵי מְקַבֵּל אֶת כָּל הָאָדָם בְּסֵבֶר פָּנִים יָפוֹת:
(15) Shammai used to say: make your [study of] Torah a fixed practice; speak little and do much; and receive all people with a pleasant countenance.
How might Shammai's advice help you find teachers or mentors?
Your own Torah!
1. What do you want to learn or in what area do you want to grow?
2. What are three steps you can take to "make for yourself" teachers or mentors to help you grow and learn in the area you specified?