14 Apr CHOOSE YOUR PATH

The Pesach memories are slowly fading. Our
calendar is moving on. We are in the midst of
counting Sefira, the days leading up to
Shavuos, the yom tov commemorating
HaShem’s giving us the Torah, and our
continued commitment to it.
Sefira is our time to prepare for Shavuos. To
reflect upon how we can better ourselves
before renewing our vow of na’aseh
v’nishma, we will do and we will listen. To
think of what traits we can improve and
contemplate ways to bring bracha into the
lives of others, and while in the process find
our own self-fulfillment.

We live in a world filled with countless self-
help books, postings and podcasts on

perfecting our relationships. As Jews, we are
gifted with Pirkei Avos, the ultimate
guidebook. A book filled with the timeless
words of wisdom and advice from our sages.
A guide to become a better you, to live an
inspired life.
Pirkei Avos shares with us Torah teachings
on religion, family, friends, work, community
and even government. In short – the total

human experience. Issues that are as much
relevant today as they were generations ago.
On the long Shabbos afternoons between
Pesach and Shavuos, it is customary to open
our siddurim and turn to the teachings of
Pirkei Avos. Six chapters, one for each of the
Shabbosos of Sefira. The perfect Shavuos
prep.
Pirkei Avos – literally, Chapters of the
Fathers. The Bnei Yissaschar comments that
the fathers are our avos, Avraham, Yitzchak
and Yaakov. The teachings of Pirkei Avos
reflect the life lessons gleaned from their
actions.
An additional understanding is that the
fathers of Pirkei Avos are our teachers, the
“fathers of the Mishna”. Hillel and Shamai,
Rabbi Akiva, Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai,
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, and so many others.
Lastly, the avos includes us, those who
transmit the teachings of our ancestors m’dor
l’dor, from generation to generation.
This Shabbos, we study the second chapter
of Pirkei Avos. It opens with a teaching of
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi, who compiled the
Mishna, and was a master teacher. The
Mishna opens with the word “Rebbi” and all

know that this is referring to
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. He was
a true tzaddik, earning him the
additional title of Rabbeinu
HaKadosh.
There are many stories of
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi and the
emperor Antoninus. Their
connection goes back to their
infancy. It was during the
difficult years of Roman rule
in Eretz Yisroel. Rav Shimon
ben Gamliel and his wife were
blessed with a baby boy, Yehuda. Defying
Roman law, the baby underwent a bris. The
Roman authorities learned of it, and Rav
Gamliel, his wife and newborn were
summoned to appear in court. Imagine the
parents fear and trepidation as they made the
trip to Rome. Tears were shed, and many
tefillos were davened.
During their travels, they met a
compassionate Roman woman, who also
was a mother to a newborn. The two mothers
began talking, and Rav Gamliel’s wife bared
her heart to the Roman woman. The woman
came up with a plan – the two mothers would
make a switch. She would care for baby
Yehuda, while Rav Gamliel’s wife would
present the uncircumcised Roman infant,
Antoninus, to the court.
The plan worked. The judges were in
shock. Rav Gamliel and his wife were free

to return home. After the two mothers re-
exchanged their infants, they pledged that

their sons would remain connected.
The Jewish baby grew to be the leader,
Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi. The Roman, to be
the emperor Marcus Aurelius Antoninus.
Rebbi and Antoninus, descendants of
Yaakov and Eisav, representing Bnei
Yisroel and the Roman Empire. Two
opposing forces, yet with defiance and
motherly love, a relationship was forged.
A connection that led to a period of quiet
and easing of the harsh persecution the
Jews were subjected to under Hadrian rule.
There are many stories of Rebbi and
Antoninus. Antoninus would often turn to
Rebbi for advice and counsel. He would
send gifts to Rebbi, who would then
reciprocate. One time, Antoninus sent a
most valuable gemstone. Rebbi
reciprocated with a mezuzah. Antoninus
was puzzled, asking how a simple piece of
parchment could be worthier than a
priceless stone. With his sharp acumen,
Rebbi replied, “You sent me a gift I have to
watch over, while I sent you a gift that will
guard and protect you at all times.”
In this week’s Perek, Rebbi poses a
question. “Which is the straight path that a

person should choose for himself?” Among
his teachings is, “Contemplate three things
and you will not come to sin. Know what is
above you. An eye that sees, an ear that
hears, and all of your actions are written in a
Book.” (Pirkei Avos 2:1) As I read the
Mishna, my mother’s bracha came back to
me. “Chaya Sorale… have nachas from
yourself.” A bracha given with love. To be
able to go to sleep at night with yishuv
ha’daas, peace of mind. To know that you
lived your day to the fullest. That you did
“the right thing”. That you live with, and can
even be proud of your actions. If we
understand before we act, before we speak,
that there a seeing eye, a hearing ear, and a
recording of all that we do, we would think
twice.
While the Mishna at first glance appears to
emphasize yirah, the fear of heaven, there is
another way to comprehend Rebbi’s words.
The Mishna is teaching us that it is not
merely about surveillance, but to also impart
to us a sense of being seen and valued. The
way of ahava, love. To realize that the eye
that sees, the ear that hears and the book that
records, is HaShem watching over us, seeing
the good. The Torah we learn, the davening
we do, and the mitzvos and good deeds we
perform, are all recorded in a Book Above. A
day will come when our neshama will be
standing in the Heavenly court, and the Book
will be opened and read. All the tzedakah
given, the kind words shared, the bikur
cholim visits we made, the help we offered,
each one will be our advocate on the Final
Day of Judgment.
A friend once commented to me, that she
feels helpless after losing her parents. She no
longer has the opportunity to keep the mitzva
of kibud av v’eim, honoring one’s parents. I
understood her pain. I too grappled with that
sense of loss. And then I realized that every
time we do a chesed, a kindness, a mitzva,
we carry on in a way our loved ones would
be proud of. We are fulfilling kibud av v’eim.
They see, they know. We hope our actions
are a source of nachas.
With his words, Rebbi is giving us the
greatest life lesson. He may have lived 2,000
years ago, but his words speak to us today.