09 May MY MITZVAH… MY TICKET

The sun is shining and the outdoors is
calling. Yet, it is precisely at this time,
during the longer Shabbos afternoons, that
we take time out to study Pirkei Avos, the
Book of Ethics.
Six chapters for the six Shabbosos between
Pesach and Shavuos. The greatest
preparation that we can do for Shavuos isn’t
thinking about cheese cake and blintzes
(which certainly enhance our Shavuos
meals), but delving into the words of our
Torah, and the teachings of Ethics.
Derech Eretz kadmah laTorah, to be a
mentch—a genuinely honest, ethical, good
individual – is a prerequisite to living a
Torah life. We prepare for our n’asseh
v’nishmah – we will do and we will listen
moment through the study of Ethics.
We repeat the cycle again and again
throughout the summer, as a preparation for
Rosh Hashanah, our Day of Judgment. The
Yom Tov when we stand before HaShem,
hopefully being able to say that I worked on

myself, this year was a year of self-
improvement.

There are so many “how to” books out there.
Guides to having better relationships with
spouses, parents, children, friends, even
with one’s self. You name it, someone wrote
a book about it. Unfortunately, we often
neglect studying our own Book. My mother
a”h would say how tragic it is that the
Children of the Book turn to every book but
their own.
As Ben Bag-Bag says, “Hafoch bah,
v’hafoch bah, d’kolah bah, Turn the pages,
turn the pages, for it is all there”. It’s all
there. We only have to open it. (Pirkei Avos,
5:26)
Pirkei Avos, Chapters of our Fathers. Who
are the fathers of Ethics?
Avos has multiple meanings. When we say
avos, fathers, the first thing that comes to
mind are our patriarchs. The Bnei Yissocher
writes that indeed we are referring to
Avrohom, Yitzchak and Yaakov. We learn
their story in Bereishis, also known as Sefer
HaYashar, the Book of the Upright, the

righteous ones. The love and compassion
exemplified by our avos is our best guide
for leading an ethical life.
We are Bnei Yisroel. Each letter of the
word Yisroel, spelled yud, shin, reish,
aleph, lamed, is an acronym for our
patriarchs and matriarchs. Yud – Yitzchak
and Yaakov. Shin – Sarah. Reish – Rivkah
and Rochel. Aleph – Avraham. Lamed –
Leah. Their teachings are us. We are one
with them.
Avos – our teachers, advisors and mentors.
Mishlei teaches “Shema b’ni mussar avicha,
v’al titosh toras imecha, Listen my child to
the words of your father, and do not forsake
the teachings of your mother.” Anyone who
gives over knowledge, passes down a
mesorah, a way of living, becomes a
spiritual parent. (Mishlei, 1:8)
A Midrash is told of a neshamah that
appeared before the heavenly court. “You
have merit for three children”, a voice called
out. “But I had ten” the soul protested. “You
may have had ten, but some you ignored,
and others you were short-tempered with,
and yet another you didn’t even want.”
Another soul stood before the heavenly

court. “You have merit for two-hundred-
and-fifty children” “Two-hundred-and-
fifty? But I didn’t have any.” “Yes, but

you taught so many. You shared your
knowledge. For others, you supported
their education. You married some off.
You showed kindness to so many. You
gave spiritual life.”
Avos, the birth parents and grandparents.
Every Friday night following candle
lighting, it is customary to say a prayer
beseeching HaShem to be granted the
privilege of raising children and
grandchildren who are wise and
understanding, who love and are attached
to HaShem, and will light up the world
through their Torah and good deeds.
A beautiful prayer. Every parent’s dream.
To have children living a Torah life. The
life of Pirkei Avos.
Memories. My father, HaRav Meshulem
ben HaRav Asher Anshel HaLevi zt’l,
was ailing. My mother was in the hospital
room with him as we children waited in
the hallway. Ima came out crying. “Abba
said ‘Raise them well’. I told Abba that
we raised them together. Boruch HaShem,
they are all married. Abba then said, ‘You
are never done’ ”.
Parenting is for life.
Every chapter of Ethics opens with the

same introduction. “All of Yisroel has a
share in the World to Come.” Why was this
passage selected to open each chapter? It
imparts to us the importance of goals. To
focus one’s life on the ultimate prize – a
share in the World to Come. While each of
us goes through life pursing various goals,
some big, some small, we should strive for
the eternal goal, the one that really counts.
As we go through our day, we must ask
ourselves, where are my actions taking me,
what am I accomplishing, where am I
going? In fact, a closer reading of this
passage shows that the Hebrew words read
l’Olam Habbah – towards the World to
Come. The message is clear. One has to earn
his portion in the World to Come. There is
no “Admit Free” card for anyone. HaShem
gives us the opportunities, it’s up to each of
us to realize our potential.
Just as every chapter begins with the same
introduction, so too, does it close with the
same words. “HaShem wished to confer
merit upon Bnei Yisroel. Therefore He gave
them Torah and mitzvos in abundance…”
Opportunities to earn our admission to the
World to Come.
In the Talmud it is written “Rav Nachman
said, may I be rewarded for observing three
meals on Shabbos. Rav Yehudah said, may I
be rewarded for my devotion in prayer. Rav
Huna said, may I be rewarded for never
walking four steps bareheaded. Rav
Sheishes said, may I be rewarded for
fulfilling the mitzvah of Tefillin.” (Shabbos
118b) The Maharal learns from this that
while we should endeavor to fulfill as many
mitzvos as possible, a person should focus
on at least one mitzvah to observe
scrupulously. Pick one that you will be able
to keep meticulously, conscientiously, and
stick to it. That one mitzvah will bring you
closer to HaShem. That one mitzvah could
just be your ticket to Gan Eden, the World to
Come.
As Shavuos approaches, let’s keep in mind
that HaShem gifted us many mitzvos. Make
one your special mitzvah.