Ethics of the Fathers

ETE SESE LENE Pe RT eR NS: SR aN ET SN EE! GMMR NARS SERENE NER NL Saeengs ONT NaNO ON Man mee causes the many to sin will be denied the means to repent. Moses attained merit and brought merit to the many; therefore the merit of the many was attributed to him, as it is said, “He carried out the LORD’s righteousness and Deut. 33 His ordinances with Israel.’ Jeroboam, son of Nebat, sinned and caused the many to sin; therefore the sin of the many was attributed to him, as it is | said, “For the sins of Jeroboam that he committed and that he caused Israel 1 Kings 15 | to commit.” 23. Whoever possesses these three traits is one of the disciples of our father Abraham; whoever possesses the three opposite traits is one of the disciples of the wicked Balaam. A generous eye, a modest demeanor and a humble soul are the traits of the disciples of our father Abraham. An evil eye, an arrogant demeanor and an insatiable soul are attributes of the disciples of the wicked Balaam. What is the difference between our father Abraham’s disciples and those of the wicked Balaam? Our father Abraham's disciples enjoy this world and inherit the World to Come, as it is said, “That I may cause those who love Prov. 8 me to inherit substance and so that I may fill their treasures.” The wicked Balaam’s disciples inherit Gehinnom and go down to the pit of destruction, as it is said, “But You, God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; Ps. ss bloodthirsty and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I trust in You.” 24. Judah ben Tema said: Be strong as a leopard, light as an eagle, swift as a gazelle, and brave as a lion, to do the will of your Father in heaven. He used to say: The shameless go to Gehinnom; those who have a sense of shame are destined for the Garden of Eden. May it be Your will, O LORD our God and God of our ancestors that the Temple be speedily rebuilt in our days; and grant us our portion in Your Torah. 25. He used to say: Five years old is the age to begin studying Scripture; ten for Mishna; thirteen for the obligation of the commandments; fifteen for the study of Talmud; eighteen for marriage; twenty for seeking a livelihood; thirty for full strength; forty for understanding; fifty for giving counsel; sixty for | old age; seventy for ripe old age; eighty for exceptional strength; and ninety | for a bent back; at a hundred, one is as if he were dead and had left and gone | from the world. | 26. Ben Bag-Bag said: Turn it [the Torah] over and over, for everything is in it. | Reflect on it, grow old and gray in it and do not stir from it, for there is no | better portion for you than this. Ben Heh-Heh said: According to the effort is the reward.