Yes. More.

MORE... Pirkei Avot MORE. MORE COMMENTARY. MORE WISDOM. MORE SAYINGS. MORE SECHEL. SECHEL?

Nu. What’s ‘Sechel? Here is another word for us to consider before we go in into the details of this weeks’ discussion of the Pirkei Avot. Sechel [שכל] Shin- kaf-Lamed. This word is variously translated into English as: “intellect” or “concept” (depending, usually, upon the text content), but it is a conceptual idea that is conveyed. It really includes various degrees of the grasping of anidea - the knowledge and the insight included in the text. It is used frequently in Hebrew writings related to Torah itself is a ‘spiritual’part of mans’ being. Sechel think of it in this way; it is and is, in some manner, spirit or soul). And we our “conceptualizing” So, if we continue with this etherial idea, let us go to the next part of the Pirkei Avot.

שכל

#3

Antignos, leader of Socho, received the tradition from Shimon HaTzaddik. He used to say: “Be not like servants who serve their master for the sake of receiving a reward; instead be like servants who serve their master not for the sake of receiving a reward. And let the awe of Heaven be upon you.”

The question comes to mind about working not to receive a reward when the Torah, itself, is filled with statements like- If you do this (mitzvah), you will receive that, etc. See the “SHEMA” second ⁋ where we read that if we write them upon the doorposts... our days may be multiplied. et. al.

So to resolve this conflict we read that l’maán means something like in consequence thereof/whereof and the English should be understood as: Good things flow from G-d and that we should not serve G-d just to receive the good!

Next, we have that word awe. Awe. Not: Fear; as we sometimes read, where we should live in “Fear of G-d - or Fear of Heaven”. That confuses a lot of people. Better we should use the word “awe”. As the kids might say; “Awesome, Dude!” Even so, when we hear HASHEM we should be “in fear” - Awestruck! So Antignos says that although we love G-d, we should not think that we are “close friends”, or NBF in the parlance of Facebook advocators. You just ain’t on the same plane!

Torah in the manner that and an intangible that is not is.... non-physical, if you can something that man acquires related to our nefish (our acquire this “intellect” and through the study of Torah.

#4

Yose ben Yore, leader of Tz’redah, and Yose ben Yochanan, leader of Jerusalem, received (Torah) from them. Yose ben Yore says: “Let your house be a meeting place for sages; and sit in the dust of their feet; and drink in their words thirstily.” He is telling us that our own home should be a place of wisdom - it should be a storehouse of sechel.

...and sit in the dust of their feet. Soooo- unless you are a scholar of equal status, unless they are your peers, you should subordinate yourself to them. If you are thirsty, in need of or wanting drink, you can consider yourself in the same status when you are in the person sitting before a sage. Then drink the sechel gratefully.

#5

Our other friend here was Yose ben Yochanan, the leader of Jerusalem, who said: “Let you house be open wide; treat the poor as members of you household; and do not converse excessively with a woman. [remember Nancy referring to this is our earlier study group?] They said this even about one’s own wife; surely it applies to another’s wife. Consequently, the Sages said: Anyone who converses excessively with a woman causes evil to himself, neglects Torah study, and will eventually inherit Gehinnom.” Wow. That should have an “!” after it.

(of course this does not - specifically - mention ‘maidens’ or young unmarried women. Just deal with that in caution...)

By opening your home to make neighbors welcome you bring merit to you household. When you invite the poor they become part of the household and can be supported with honor (and with dignity). This you can also accomplish in a figurative manner as well as a littoral one. Take note, the premise of the law regarding little conversation with women has to do with orienting yourself toward G-d. Your whole life. Toward G-d. Not toward yourself. [guess that means: cut out the TV, the sitting in the Tavern with other men, drinking, cursing, playing games of pool or darts, and some of the other hedonistic aspects of macho-hood] Talking with women is being self-centered. Excessively means: without a “need”. ALL idle talk results in the loss of time spent in Torah study and, because men are (easily) distracted by women, he would find it difficult to return to Torah study after being involved in a lengthy conversation with any woman

(guess that answers the question of talking to maidens...).

This is, I think a proper place to stop this week’s discussion.

v’Shalom!