באופן אחר נראה לי בס"ד כי העולם קיים על המצות אשר המה שלשה חלקים, הא' מצות דאורייתא, והב' מצות דרבנן, והג' הם הידור מצוה ומילי דחסידותא, ואלו הן שלשה רגלים אשר הם שלשה עמודים שהעולם קיים ועומד עליהם, וזה רצה בתחלה שילמדהו תורה על מנת שלא יתחייב לקיים המצות אלא חלוקה אחת שהם מצות דאורייתא שהם כנגד רגל אחת.
It seems to me the world exists on the foundation of the mitzvoth that are divided up into three types:
1. Torah mitzvoth - from the written Torah
2. Rabbinic mitzvoth - from the oral law, teachings of the Sages
3. Beautifying/Enhancing Mitzvoth and words of faith/kindness
These are the three legs that are the 3 pillars of the world.
This individual [who came to learn standing on one foot] wanted them to teach him Torah so he would only be obligation for one type of mitzvah - the Torah mitzvoth - one type of mitzvah reflects this person wanting to study Torah while on one foot.
- Living by Torah/God's teaching involves engagement with the Written Torah - teachings given at Sinai, the Oral Torah - the evolution and development through the Sages, and the "Human Torah" - how we fulfill the spirit of the tradition and the relationships between people that are necessary for peace and wholeness
R. Mendel of Satanov:
- The animal soul leads human beings to love themselves but it only reacts to the 'stomach's cry' - ie the natural responses to our physical needs
- In contrast - the intellectual soul receives the mitzvoth (teachings/commandnents) from God that include doing good for others - whether they are not from the tribe (those who follow the 7 basic laws of the Noahides) or those who are part of the tribe/faith
- Not to worship idols.
- Not to curse God.
- Not to commit murder.
- Not to commit adultery or sexual immorality.
- Not to steal.
- Not to eat flesh torn from a living animal.
- To establish courts of justice.
R. Mendel of Satanov:
- We want to do good for others
- We follow God's example...
- Which are Torah/Rabbinic/and Mitzvoth of Faith & Kindness
Abba Shaul says: Ve’anveihu should be interpreted as if it were written in two words: Ani vaHu, me and Him [God]. Be similar, as it were, to God, the Almighty: Just as God is compassionate and merciful, so too should you be compassionate and merciful.
And Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, says: What is the meaning of that which is written: “After the Lord your God shall you walk, and Him shall you fear, and His commandments shall you keep, and unto His voice shall you hearken, and Him shall you serve, and unto Him shall you cleave” (Deuteronomy 13:5)? But is it actually possible for a person to follow the Divine Presence? But hasn’t it already been stated: “For the Lord your God is a devouring fire, a jealous God” (Deuteronomy 4:24), and one cannot approach fire. He explains: Rather, the meaning is that one should follow the attributes of the Holy One, Blessed be He. He provides several examples. Just as He clothes the naked, as it is written: “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife garments of skin, and clothed them” (Genesis 3:21), so too, should you clothe the naked. Just as the Holy One, Blessed be He, visits the sick, as it is written with regard to God’s appearing to Abraham following his circumcision: “And the Lord appeared unto him by the terebinths of Mamre” (Genesis 18:1), so too, should you visit the sick. Just as the Holy One, Blessed be He, consoles mourners, as it is written: “And it came to pass after the death of Abraham, that God blessed Isaac his son” (Genesis 25:11), so too, should you console mourners. Just as the Holy One, Blessed be He, buried the dead, as it is written: “And he was buried in the valley in the land of Moab” (Deuteronomy 34:6), so too, should you bury the dead.
- How is a righteous person established to be righteous?
(4) Lo, his spirit within him is puffed up, not upright,
But-d the righteous person is rewarded with life For one's faith/reliability/dependability
(20) A dependable person will receive many blessings,
But one in a hurry to get rich will not go unpunished.
- A person who does business faithfully, they will receive rewards from others and God since people will trust them
- Our ancestors teach, Torah is great since it gives life to those who carry out its teachings in this world and the next world
- R. Mendel: How is it that the entire Torah is included in this one mitzvah - stated different ways - of love your neighbor as yourself?
- ...especially b/c it is difficult for us to explain to the peoples of the world the mitzvot like shatnez and the red heifer...
Points for discussion:
1. How can we be helpful to one another when there's no simple or direct way to be helpful?...when the challenges someone else is experiencing are complicated, when they're not open to help, when we're not able to help for a variety of reasons...?
2. We began with the teaching from Hillel, what is hateful to you, do not do to anyone else...this sounds subjective, how can we be present, helpful, and build community when each of us may have different assumptions about what is right and wrong?