Fast of the First Born Siyyum 5777 Ending and Beginning with Pirke Avot/Rashi

(1) Ben Zoma says: Who is the wise one? He who learns from all men, as it says, "I have acquired understanding from all my teachers" (Psalms 119:99).

(13) And it came to pass the next day, that Moshe sat to judge the people; and the people stood near Moshe from the morning until the evening. (14) And when Moses’father-in-law saw all that he (was doing for) the people, he said: ‘What is this thing that you are doing for the people? why are you sitting alone, and all the people stand around you from morning until evening?’ (15) And Moshe said to his father-in-law: ‘The people are coming to me to inquire of God; (16) when they have a matter, it comes to me; and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.’ (17) And Moshe’s father-in-law said to him: ‘The thing that you do is not good. (18) You will surely wear away - both you, and the people that are with you; for the thing (Judging Alone) is too heavy for you;

you are not able to perform it yourself, alone. (19) Hearken now to my voice, I will give you counsel, and God (Hashem) be with you: (you will be able to assist) the people before God, and bring the causes to God. (20) And you will (be able) to teach them the statutes and the laws, and will show them the way they must walk (act), and the work they must do. (21) Moreover you should provide, out of all the nation, able men, those who fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and appoint them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens. (22) And let them judge the people at all seasons; and it shall be, that every great (difficult) matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves; so shall they make it easier for you and bear the burden with you. (23) If you will do this thing, and God command you to do so, then you will be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace.’ (speed up the process) (24) So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.

(20) When your son will ask you in the future, saying: ‘What are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Hashem, our God has commanded you? (21) Then you shall respond to him: ‘We were Pharaoh’s slaves in Egypt; and Hashem, The Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand. (22) And Hashem showed signs and wonders, great and terrible upon Egypt, upon Pharaoh, and upon all his house, before our eyes. (23) And He brought us out from there so that He would bring us in (as a nation), to give us the land which He swore to our fathers. (Israel)

(15) Shammai says: Make your Torah permanent, say little and do much, and receive every person with a pleasant countenance.

(6) Greater is Torah than priesthood and kingship, for monarchy is obtained with thirty levels, and priesthood with twenty-four, and Torah is obtained with forty-eight things. And they are these:

• Learning,
• Listening of the ear,
• Preparation of speech
• . . . Deliberation in study,
• Questioning and responding,
• Hearing and adding,
• Learning in order to teach
• Learning in order to act,
• Making his master wiser,
• Focusing one's words,
• Citing the source, for it is taught that one who cites a source brings redemption to the world, as it says (Esther 2:22): "Esther told the king in Mordekhai’s name."

Rabbi Tarfon and the Elders were once reclining in the upper story of Nithza's house, in Lydda, when this question was raised before them: Is study greater, or practice? Rabbi Tarfon answered, saying: "Practice is greater." Rabbi Akiva answered saying: "Study is great, for it leads to practice." Then they all answered and said: "Study is greater, for it leads to action."

(7) Seven things are [found] in an unformed person and seven in a wise man. A wise man does not speak in front of someone who is greater than him in wisdom or in number; and he does not interrupt the words of his fellow; and is not impulsive in answering; and he asks to the point and answers as is proper; and he speaks to the first [point] first and the last [point] last; and about that which he has not heard [anything], says, "I have not heard [anything]"; and he concedes to the truth. And their opposites [are the case] with an unformed person.