1. Read the following text:
(ה) הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר וּבְמָקוֹם שֶׁאֵין אֲנָשִׁים, הִשְׁתַּדֵּל לִהְיוֹת אִישׁ:
(5) He [Rabban Gamaliel] used to say: In a place where there are no humans, strive to be a human!
2. What might Rabban Gamaliel mean? (What does it mean to be a human being?)
a. Can you think of any additional possibilities to what you first came up with?
3. Have you ever heard a similar piece of advice in another context?
4. Can you think of any moment in our history - be it in Torah or elsewhere, where someone embodied this teaching in the way you understand it?
a. How about in your own life?
5. Consider the following interpretations:
(ו) ובמקום שאין אנשים השתדל להיות איש.כלומר במקום שאין אנשים עומדים בפרץ לעסוק בצורכי צבור השתדל להיות איש ואף אם תתבטל מדברי תורה וכמו שדרשו באחרון מברכות עת לעשות לה' הפרו תורתיך
...
ואיפשר לפרשו על ענין הלימוד כשתראה הדור שאין דברי התורה חביבין עליהם ואין שום מורה דעה ומבין שמועה השתדל אתה להיו' איש גדול ואין בזה משום יוהרא כדי להעמיד התורה שלא תשתכח
This means in a place where no one is standing in the breach for the needs of the community, strive to be that person! Even if it takes you away from Torah study, in accordance with the interpretation of the Mishna – It is time to act for H’, so they nullified Your Torah.
...
It is also possible to interpret it thusly in the context of learning – When you see a generation for whom the words of the Torah are not beloved, such that there are no teachers of knowledge, understanding, and tradition, you need to strive for greatness! And one in such a situation is not to be considered as arrogant, so as to establish the Torah as something that will not be forgotten.
6. In your own words, what are the two interpretations of the Magen Avos?
7. Why do you think he entertains the possibility of one being pulled from Torah study?
8. How do these interpretations compare with those you offered above?
9. "... is not to be considered arrogant, so as to establish the Torah as something that will not be forgotten." To whom is the Magen Avos speaking here? What is his worry?
10. Magen Avos is acknowledging the potential for competing values. Did you ever find yourself in a situation such that as a leader, you felt compelled to act one way, while believing strongly that an alternate course of action is the more correct?
כלומר לא תהיה כל כך חסיד אצל עצמך, שאם הקהל צריכים לך להיות רב או מנהיג ותאמר איני ראוי לזאת המדרגה, שלזה הענין הוא נאה כשיש שם מי שגדול ממך בחכמה, אז במקום גדוליםאל תעמוד (משלי כה, ו). אבל כשלא ימצא בדור גדול ממך, השתדל להיות איש, ומנהיג לקהל, שזהו מכלל מדת החסידות שתהיה זוכה ומזכה
This means that you should not hold yourself to be so righteous to the point that if the community needs you to be an authority or a leader that you would say I’m not worthy – For this is only praiseworthy when there is another who is greater than you in wisdom. But when there is no one in the generation greater than you, strive to be that person and lead the community! For this is a true virtue of righteousness that you should reach.
11. Does the Merkavas haMishna add anything we have not yet seen?
12. Reflect upon moments when you were in a position to step up as a leader. Did you find yourself wanting to react in the way the Merkavas haMishna describes?
(ה) ובמקום שאין אנשים השתדל להיות איש. פירשו הראשונים ז"ל במקום שאין אנשים לעזרך במצות וליסרך השתדל להיות איש וישר את עצמך שלא לעשות כי אם הטוב והישר בעיני ה'.
...
ועוד נוכל לפרש במקום שאין אנשים גדולים ממך בחכמה השתדל להיות איש. ואל תמנע מלהחכים אע"פ שלא תמצא חכם בעירך גדול ממך. אף אם אין בדור ההוא כמותך תראה עצמך כאלו בדור חכמי התלמוד ואתה עמהם במקום אחד. גם כי תשיג למעלתם תחשוב כי אם אתה עומד עם הנביאים עד משה רבינו ע"ה ומתי תשיג למעלתם ולחכמתם. ובזה לא תתרשל לעולם מללמוד ובכל יום ויום התקן במדותיך כי תוסיף על חכמתך ותהיה כמעין הנובע:
(5) In a place where there is no man, strive to be a man: The early scholars (rishonim) explained, "In a place where there is no man" to help you in the commandments and to chastise you, "strive to be a man" and straighten yourself, so as to only 'do that which is good and straight in the eyes of the Lord.'
...
And we can also explain, "In a place where there is no man" greater than you in wisdom, "strive to be a man." And do not refrain from becoming wiser, even if you cannot find a sage greater than you in your city. Even if there is no one like you in that [whole] generation, see yourself as [if you were] in the generation of the sages of the Talmud and you are with them in one place. Even if you acquire their level, think as if you are standing with the prophets, up until Moshe, our teacher - peace be upon him. And when will you reach their level and their wisdom? And in this [way], you will never slack from learning Torah and you will improve your traits each and every day - as you will add to your wisdom and you will be like a flowing spring.
13. How do R. Yonah's two interpretations differ?
14. How would his suggested thought-exercise help? (That of seeing yourself as living amongst the sages.)
Concluding Questions
15. How could question number four be answered differently based on some of the various interpretations?
16. Did you find any of the interpretations to be personally compelling? Or, particularly strange? Which ones and why?
17. Are there any areas in camp where this teaching is already embodied? Areas which need improvement?
18. Where in camp-life do you personally have the opportunity to apply this idea?