Humility, Proper Conduct and the Importance of Peace: From Judaism – The Talmud, Part 2 of 2

This chapter teaches that those who lead others to righteousness are protected from sin, while those who lead others to sin cannot repent. It also compares different types of students, emphasizing that sincerity and the depth of learning matter more than appearances.

Tract Aboth Chapter 6 Continuation

“[…] Occupy thyself with the words of the Torah, and do not occupy thyself with idle things. It happened to Rabbi Elazar ben Simeon, etcetera.

There are three different kinds among scholars; one who is able to ask questions and to answer them is a wise one; one who is only able to ask questions but not to answer them is inferior to him; but he who is able neither to ask nor to answer questions is not to be considered at all.

There are three different kinds of sweat that are beneficial to the body: the sweat following a sickness; the sweat produced by a bath; the sweat of labor. The sweat following a sickness is healing, but the sweat produced by a bath has no equal.

There are three advantages in an earthen vessel: it absorbs, does not exude, and gives no bad smell to the thing that is in it. There are three advantages in a glass vessel: it does neither absorb nor exude, and it exposes to view what is therein contained; and keeps warm in a warm temperature, and cold in a cold temperature.

The money that the Israelites carried away from Egypt returned to Egypt, as it is written [Exodus 12:36]: ‘And they emptied out Egypt’; and it is also written [Genesis 47:14]: ‘And Joseph gathered up all the money,’ etcetera.; and it is written [I Kings, 14:25, 26]: 'And it came to pass in the fifth year,’ etcetera. The Heavenly writing on the tables returned to its origin.

‘Rabbi Jehudah ben Tema said,’ etc. He used also to say: Love Heaven, love all the commandments. If you do the least wrong to your companion, it shall be considered by you the greatest wrong; but if you have done him good, though it has been a great deal, you shall consider it little. On the contrary, if your companion has done you the least good, you shall consider it much; and if he has done you a great wrong, consider it little. Be as a tight bag that has no opening to let in the wind. Be prepared to receive affliction, and be forgiving to those who oppress you. […]”