What are the values on which YOU stand? What values and morals do you hold most dear? Take a moment before you read any further to jot down which values and ideas form the foundation for who you are as a person. While you're thinking, you can listen to the song below.
The Great Assembly was the collection of Jewish leaders from the time of the end of the prophets leading up to the beginning of Rabbinic Judaism after the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, just before most of Pirkei Avot was officially compiled.
שִׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק הָיָה מִשְּׁיָרֵי כְנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה. הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר,
עַל שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד, עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים:
Shimon the Righteous was one of the last of the members of the Great Assembly. He used to say:
The world stands upon three things: the Torah, the Temple service [prayer], and acts of loving kindness.
1. Torah is often translated as "law, but there's more to it than that." How do you think the world stands on Torah, and everything that Torah means?
2. How does the world stand on prayer? Is prayer universal enough to be a foundation of the world?
3. How does the world stand on acts of loving kindness? What happens to the world when there are acts of loving kindness? How do you define acts of loving kindness?
The perek (section) below comes from the same chapter of Pirkei Avot, but much later. Take a look at how it's similar and how it's different.
רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר,
עַל שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד, עַל הַדִּין וְעַל הָאֱמֶת וְעַל הַשָּׁלוֹם
Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel used to say:
On three things does the world stand: On justice, on truth and on peace.
4. How do you define justice? Why is justice a central value for the world?
5. How do you define truth? Is truth universal?
6. How do you define peace? How can the world stand on peace if it's so rare?
7. Are your definitions the same as your chevruta's (partner's)? Does it matter that they're the same or not? Why is that something to think about?
Answer this last question in a few, thoughtful sentences:
8. Which version do you prefer? Why?