To Continue our studies of Pirkei Avot

Moving along >>>

In Chapter Three we encounter the word: שנים The 3-letter root is:

שנה

The root relates, interestingly, to change and repeat. We find this referring to a repeating cycle. It also relates to color change and crimson dye. Then too it refers to “two” & double, or second-level. A cm meaning is distance, fend off, fence in and protect, forsake or be discreet. A contemporary Hebrew dictionary meaning of the word shenee is second or 2nd person [also related to “Master’s Degree”].

Now we find in Chapter Three of the Commentary on Pirkei Avot by the Maharal, the following:

רבי הנניא בן עקשיא אומר: רצה הקדיש ברוך הוא לזכות ישראל

Rabbi Chanania ben Akashi says: The Holy One, Blessed is He, wished to confer merit upon Israel;...... ___therefore He gave them Torah and mitzvot in abundance, as it is said (Yeshayahu 42:21): “HaShem desired, for the sake of His righteousness, that the Torah be made great and glorious.”

All Israel has a share in the World to come (op. sit.)... “And your people are all righteous; they shall inherit the land forever; they are the stem of My plantings, My handiwork, in which to take pride.” Now, after considering the three things which Akavia ben Mahalalel instructed us to consider; we come to רבי חנינא בן תרדיון where he says- שנים שיושבין ואין ביניהם דברי תורה “If two sit together and there are no words of Torah between them, it is a session of scorners...”

The continuation is: “__But if two sit together and there are words of Torah between them... if even one person sits and occupies himself with Torah the Divine Presence rests between them”.
[Maharal] True Torah study involves interaction and communication with another person. “Words of Torah” are found (only) with two people because two people communicate with speech, but one person by himself only thinks. Even if he articulates the words, he is not truly talking but thinking out loud.

Therefore, our Mishnah applies the expression “Words of Torah” in the context of two שנים people, and refers to the study of one person merely as “occupies (occupying) himself with Torah.” מנין שאפילו אחד שיושב ועוסק בתורה ...osek b’Torah. 1 It is for this same reason that the blessing we recite each morning upon the mitzvah of learning Torah is phrased, “...la’ások b’divrei Torah”, or “to occupy (immerse) ourselves in/with the words of Torah. “osek” & “laások” – two more words related through Hebrew roots... deals in, engages in.

We use that word rather than “lilmod Torah, to study the Torah.” Since the blessing applies to individual study, it mentions only occupation with the words of Torah rather than Torah study. This, you find is not “pilpul”- it is not splitting hairs – it is, just as it is in English, simply using the correct word.

Here is and example where we have problems with words in English. Something that we encounter at least once each week (in our Shul). This word has two problems but it is actually that the first problem, which is the proper pronunciation, inhibits out understanding of the word (which is the second problem). The word is assuage say: əˈswajײַverb [ trans. ] make (an unpleasant feeling) less intense: (as): the letter assuaged the fears of mostmembers. satisfy (anappetiteordesire):an opportunity occurred to assuage her desiref or knowledge. See note: alleviate -- verb make (suffering, deficiency, or a problem) less severe.

So here we see that the word alleviate is a simpler word for us to understand and to pronounce correctly; it does not carry the same subtle meaning that we use in our prayer for our American Military personnel. Assuage has that feeling which our solders know only too well. And we pray that HaShem will – at the very least – make it less intense, that feeling of loneliness which for the solder in battle can bring on a feeling that perhaps G-d has deserted him too. Let’s use the correct word in the right place.

Why does the Divine Presence join those who study Torah? We are told that the Divine Presence is inseparable from the Torah. Torah is a concept that follows cogently [KO-gently]clear, logical, and convincing, and without alternative, from the truth of G-d’s existence. This is why the Divine Presence is with us today - if we study and exchange the words of Torah, with meaning and understanding, and not simply from rôte. We have been implored by rabbis across the generations to “daven, reading from the Torah (or siddur), and not from memory.” Does that take longer? Yes. Is it worth it. I cannot tell you: “You be the judge.”, for we know who really is the Final Judge. Don’t we!

Shabbat Shalom

ישראעל בצלאל בן אברהמ