We continue from our previous lesson where certain rabbis have been teaching us some beautiful sayings they would say. “Margela BePumeihu” – “So and so were/was accustomed to say”. In Aramaic, the word “Margela” also means a jewel, and indeed, all these sayings that we are learning are jewels!
The rabbis of Yavne teach a beautiful saying relating to the different types of work we do. Some study Torah, others go out and work. But still, each is involved in some activity which brings benefit to the world and to life itself. None of these activities need infringe on the other. And even one who thinks he may be greater for having studied more Torah than the other, really has no right to think this, since after all – whether a lot or a little, the main thing is that one directs one’s heart to Heaven.
Abaye teaches us about the value of fear (of God) and how to respond to another when the argument has become heated (of even if it has not yet!) Shlomo – the wisest of all men teaches that a gentle answer turns away much anger. And indeed, this is how we should all speak to each other always. Our greatest achievement in life should be to become “beloved Above and pleasant Below.”
Rabban Yochan ben Zakkai would even be the first to greet non-Jews at the market place – so important is the concept of peace amongst human beings – all of us.
Rava teaches us that the purpose of wisdom is repentance and good deeds. We study to become great and do more in life – especially in the context of goodness of course. Wisdom is not something just for its own purpose.
Rav teaches us a beautiful teaching about the differences between this world and the World to Come – where there is no eating, drinking or conjugal relations. There – the souls bask in the splendour of the Divine Presence.
The Gemara tells us that God grants an additional surety of blessing to women over men. This is because they send their children to the synagogue to study Torah and they send their husbands to Kollelim in order to study Torah – while they await them at home. They take care of the home, leaving their family to engage in studying the Torah and then wait eagerly for their husbands to return.
We learn another teaching about the rabbis who would give a blessing to a certain rabbi when they departed from him. Again – the concept and topic of blessings and just how important they are in our lives. This is really what Masechet Berachot is all about – and we should make it a part of our lives also. Learning to bless others, instead of always harbouring negative thoughts about them or worse. Our duty is to to learn to bless.
