Avos 2:7

בס״ד

אבות ב:ז

He used to say: More meat? More worms! More property? More worry! More wives? More disenchantment! More maidservants? More immorality! More manservants? More theft! More Torah? More life! More study? More wisdom! More advice? More insight! More charity? More peace! One who gains a good name gains it for himself; One who gains Torah gains for himself life in the Coming World.

הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, מַרְבֶּה בָשָׂר, מַרְבֶּה רִמָּה. מַרְבֶּה נְכָסִים, מַרְבֶּה דְאָגָה. מַרְבֶּה נָשִׁים, מַרְבֶּה כְשָׁפִים. מַרְבֶּה שְׁפָחוֹת, מַרְבֶּה זִמָּה. מַרְבֶּה עֲבָדִים, מַרְבֶּה גָזֵל. מַרְבֶּה תוֹרָה, מַרְבֶּה חַיִּים. מַרְבֶּה יְשִׁיבָה, מַרְבֶּה חָכְמָה. מַרְבֶּה עֵצָה, מַרְבֶּה תְבוּנָה. מַרְבֶּה צְדָקָה, מַרְבֶּה שָׁלוֹם. קָנָה שֵׁם טוֹב, קָנָה לְעַצְמוֹ. קָנָה לוֹ דִבְרֵי תוֹרָה, קָנָה לוֹ חַיֵּי הָעוֹלָם הַבָּא:

        

        This mishnah concludes Hillel’s teachings with two separate teachings.  But their connection is obvious, since both teachings are based in Hillel’s observations about a basic human nature — to possess.  We seem to come into this world desiring things beyond ourselves.  The big question is: what is worth desiring?  According to Hillel, the only things worth desiring are things which can ultimately satisfy us.  How so?

        The first five desires in Hillel’s list all share the trait that as soon as we satisfy them we grow impatient and need more of them.  And in the passion of acquiring them, we forget that, since we never really control them, they ultimately come to nothing.  Do you desire food? Gluttony will make you fat (“the more meat”), but in any event you’ll die fat and become food for worms! Do you want wealth?  The more you have the more you’ll stand to lose!  Do you think you’ll find happiness in a series of “relationships?”  Maybe for a while, but the enchantment will wear off and you’ll be left wishing for more and finding it nowhere!  Do you want dozens of people around you stroking your ego?  The instrumental relationship you demand of them will make them resentful and you won’t be able to trust their sincerity!

        So how do you get life?  By looking beyond the cheap satisfactions of the moment towards the pleasures that require you to move out of yourself and enable you to develop a discipline that sustains you.  Obviously, Torah is at the center.  Torah is “the tree of life to those who embrace her.  And those who uphold her are filled up.” (Mishlei 3:18).  Study it, share it, place yourself among those who cherish it, and practice it.  The greater your investment of energy in the life of Torah, the richer the pleasure in it, as Torah saturates your soul and transforms your vision of what matters.  You gain a “name,” an identity, that can never be stolen by anyone.  And you acquire a life that brings you into contact with Eternity in the midst of your daily worries.

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