Chapter 1
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| HE [Hillel] USED TO SAY: IF I AM NOT FOR MYSELF...WHO WILL BE FOR ME? AND IF I AM ONLY FOR MYSELF, WHAT AM I? AND IF NOT NOW, WHEN? |
With this opening statement of Hillel we have a rounded picture of the Sage, the great scholar whose dynasty lasted for generations, whose progeny were the nasiim, the presidents of the Sanhedrin, right down to Rebbe Yehuda Hanasi, the redactor of the Mishna c. 160 CE.
Hillel's statement, in the mishnayos 12 and 13, covered aspects of his character. In Mishna 12 the quality of humbleness of Hillel was revealed in his statements... Be of the disciples of Aaron... loving peace and pursuing peace. Remember that Aaron, the High Priest, was never too proud or haughty to chase after people in order to bring about harmony between them. This was the quality of Hillel.
Mishna 13, also containing the thought of Hillel reveals the quality of his dedication to Torah.... warning not to use it for personal advantage, to constantly increase one's knowledge of Torah... and to learn Torah l'shma, for the sake of Torah and for no subjective purpose.
This was Hillel, too. In his youth, as a pauper, he could not pay tuition into the yeshiva. But his thirst for Torah was insatiable. He climbed onto the roof of the building and eavesdropped thru the opening, absorbing all he could from the teachers inside. He fell asleep there, and was later found half frozen. He was then recognized for his dedication and was brought into the yeshiva. His dedication to Torah l'shma was impeccable!
With the concluding statement of Hillel, this Mishna 13, we glean another thread of Hillel's sterling qualities. He completes his thought with the idea that Torah must lead to action. Torah v'Avoda... Torah and activity.
He says: If I do not take responsibility for myself...who will? The study of Torah is a guide and a support to navigate thru the traps of life. We all recognize that the human being is frail and weak. The Torah establishes that idea almost at the very beginning of human history. Hashem acknowledged after the Flood that he will not destroy the Earth because of man, since the nature of Man's heart that He created is weak from its early stirrings, and he falls prey to temptations. The Torah is his balm.
The purpose of Torah is to help man purify his thoughts and actions. Every person has a mission to work on himself, to eradicate those character weaknesses and to strengthen his will and desires to serve Hashem. The Chassidim used to go into the forest, away from the distractions of their surroundings, and commune with their Creator...contemplating how to refine their characters, their midos, and their souls. They reviewed their day and their actions... and atoned for the sins committed and rededicated their lives to refinement and drawing closer to Hashem.
This is the function of Torah. Hillel saw that as the personal responsibility of every person. Can anyone do that for another, other than the person himself? Of course not! The catch phrase today is... everybody has to take responsibility for him.... Don’t blame the next person. Hillel enunciated that principle 2000 years ago.
The study of Torah without practice is only half a mission, notwithstanding the primacy of the study of Torah. If it doesn't lead to introspection, self-analysis, and recognition of what we are at and where we lead our lives...then we missed the goal!
When he says... If "I" do not belong to ME... that is, if the "I", the personality, the ego, the drives and desires. that make up the "I" of me... are not under MY CONTROL, the intellect, knowing how to discern what is good and what is bad and exerting a control over the emotions... then 'mi li?'... who am "I"?... what sort of a creature am I? How do I differ from an animal that acts by instinct, without choice, and whose nature is determined?
The Torah does not want one to be a Tzaddik for himself. As a matter of fact, the phrase "self righteous" evokes sneers and derision. Whatever perfection of character a person attains, Hashem desires that it be conveyed and projected to others.
Qualities of goodness... that is, those midos that tend to elevate man, bringing him closer to his fellow man, expressing consideration and kindness for one another... which eventually do bring one closer to Hashem... are contagious. Why wouldn't they be? When someone says something kind to you, don't you feel warmer and attracted to that person?
The mission of the person who studies and practices Torah is to join with his fellow man and by the force of his magnetism, bring him also towards the same goal for which he strives... Torah and Hashem. Failing to do that... leads to Hillel's rhetorical question... "What am I?"
The Hebrew term "z'rizus" punctuality, non-procrastination, sums up the thought of Hillel. NOW! DON'T DELAY!!! This phrase, z’riuzus, is applied to the Kohanim, the Priests in the Temple. They acted immediately, swiftly and punctually.
This is what Hillel demands of the Torah personality. Punctuality is a sign of sincerity. The person who procrastinates doesn't believe in what he is doing, doesn't really care. He is doing whatever he does as a chore.
By contrast the young man who is excited about his lover, arises early to adorn himself and to prepare to meet her. He watches his time not to be late; he plans his day... and then executes it. The Shulchan Aruch opens with the words... "Let a man rise up [in the morning] like a lion, be as swift as a deer... to make ready to serve his Creator".
A man’s convictions are measured not by his words, but rather by his deeds.