(יד) הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, אִם אֵין אֲנִי לִי, מִי לִי. וּכְשֶׁאֲנִי לְעַצְמִי, מָה אֲנִי. וְאִם לֹא עַכְשָׁיו, אֵימָתָי:
(14) He [also] used to say: If I am not for myself, who is for me? But if I am for my own self [only], what am I? And if not now, when?
Rabbi Marc D. Angel:
אם איו אני לי... וכשאני לעצמי If I am not for myself...if I am only for myself: A healthy, well-balanced personality seeks to blend self-respect and respect for others. It is praiseworthy - not shameful - to stand up for one's own interests. Judaism does not demand self-abnegation; it recognizes the right and obligation of each person to maintain personal dignity. Those lacking in self - respect can hardly depend on others to respect them and defend their interests. Although it is proper to look out for one's own interests, this must be done while also considering the interests and needs of others. Striking the proper balance is essential if one is to live a religiously upright life.
ואם לא עכשיו אימתי If not now, when? Judaism is not to be identified with a philosophy of passivity. It does not condone quietism or surrender to the model, Hillel underscores his conviction that religious leadership must reflect kindness. One should not merely love peace and harmony in the abstract, but must actively pursue the goal of bringing peace and harmony to others.
(ג) עֲשָׂרָה נִסְיוֹנוֹת נִתְנַסָּה אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם וְעָמַד בְּכֻלָּם, לְהוֹדִיעַ כַּמָּה חִבָּתוֹ שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ עָלָיו הַשָּׁלוֹם:
(3) With ten trials was Abraham, our father (may he rest in peace), tried, and he withstood them all; to make known how great was the love of Abraham, our father (peace be upon him).
Rabbi Marc D. Angel
אברהם אבינו: Abraham our father: Abraham is known in rabbinic tradition as "our father." He is the founder of the Israelite nation that began as an extended family: his great-grandchildren - the children of Jacob - became the Children of Israel and the founders of the twelve tribes of Israel from whom the Israelite people emerged. In this sense, the People of Israel are essentially a family whose members feel kinship and responsibility for one another. When a person converts to Judaism, he/she is identified as being a child of Abraham. That is, the convert has now become a member of the family of Abraham by identifying with Abraham's people and his religious teachings.
עשרה נסיונות: Ten trials: While commentators differ in their enumeration of these trials, all agree that they included Abraham's having been commanded to leave his father's house; his facing famine upon reaching the Promised Land; and the binding of Isaac. The point is that Abraham's faith was tried again and again, and in each case he remained steadfast in his trust in God. Thus, Abraham serves as a model of faith for his descendants and followers. Abraham's trials were not in order to prove anything to God, since God knows all. Rather, these trials were to demonstrate Abraham's faithfulness as an inspiration to future generations.
חבתו של אברהם אבינו: Abraham's love of God: The prophet Isaiah relates God's words describing the Israelites as "the seed of Abraham My friend" (Is. 41:8). The Hebrew for "My friend (ohavi)" actually refers to love: Abraham loved God, God loved Abraham. Abraham's devotion to God was based not merely on intellectual belief and religious faith: but on an all-encompassing love.