As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“He (R’ Hanina Ben Dosa) said, if the spirit of one’s fellows is pleased with him, then the spirit of Hashem is pleased with him; but if the spirit of one’s fellow is not pleased with him, the spirit of Hashem is not pleased with him.” (Abot 3:13)

Rabbi Miller ZT’L explains that this Mishna provides an answer to the big question which we should all have. How can I recognize how Hashem feels about me? If He would only just send me a telegram and let me know. This knowledge would be a tremendous help in directing me to make adjustments in my life in order to serve the Creator with increased perfection.

This Mishna provides us one way for us to see and affect the way Hashem thinks of us. When people are pleased with us, this is an indication that Hashem is pleased with us. When we make it our business to make people happy through respecting or encouraging them, people will then be pleased with us, which results in Hashem being pleased with us.

Therefore, every day we should realize that a great Purpose of Life is to make it a prime objective to make sure people are pleased with us. R’ Hanina assures us then, that Hashem will be eternally pleased with us.

In order to help us gain in our Sensory Awareness of Him, Hashem revealed to us that people are created in ‘the Image of G-d’. When we gain this Awareness we can think that Hashem is watching us through people’s eyes.

This Mishna teaches us that a reminder of our relationship with Hashem is through our relationship with people.

Shabbat Shalom

As Heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“Rabbi Yossi says: …and let all your deeds be for the sake of Heaven.” (Abot 2:12)

Rabbi Yossi was one of the five greatest disciples of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakai. He was a Cohen and was noted to be a “Haseed,” who served Hashem in an extraordinary manner in all aspects of service.

The Mishna lists for us three cardinal paths by which R’ Yossi lived. In the final one he teaches us that we can practice having all of our actions done ‘In order to serve You Hashem,’ and thereby reach high levels of perfection, through mundane as well as spiritual actions.

The Rambam wrote that this principle, of making all your actions for the purpose of Heaven, is a “wondrous point.” We can utilize this great principle in all facets of our lives and thereby elevate mundane activities into the spiritual realm of holiness and serving Hashem.

Prior to eating, walking, exercising, getting dressed, showering, opening then door to your place of work etc. just say the words, for example, “I am going to sleep tonight to serve You Hashem.” You have now elevated your sleep and transformed it into actual serving Hashem.

By making this “wondrous” practice a regular part of our everyday life it will bring us to Yirat Shamayim, Awareness of G-d, in all of our actions and it will transform the most physical and ordinary daily activities into acts of Serving Hashem. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Mishle 3:4) The Gaon of Vilna explains this as “Let all of your deeds be for the sake of Heaven.”

This principle will also elevate our spiritual actions to a level closer to Hashem’s will. When the women are cooking meals for their families or lighting candles, when the men are putting on Tefillin and even before a person is about to open a book to learn Torah, say it, once a day: “I am doing this in order to be more aware of Hashem.”

Make all your actions for the purpose of Heaven.

Shabbat Shalom

Perke Abot

“He (R’ Hanina Ben Dosa) said, If the spirit of one’s fellows is pleased with him, then the spirit of Hashem is pleased with him; but if the spirit of one’s fellow is not pleased with him, the spirit of Hashem is not pleased with him.” (Abot 3:13)

Rabbi Miller ZT”L would say that this Mishna provides an answer to the big question which we should all have. How can I recognize how Hashem feels about me. If He would only just send me a telegram and let me know. This knowledge would be a tremendous help in directing me to make adjustments in my life in order to serve the Creator with increased perfection.

One way that we can see and affect the way Hashem is thinking about us is in this Mishna. When People are pleased with us, that is an indication that Hashem is pleased with us. When we make it our business to make people happy through respecting them, this results in people being pleased with us, which results in Hashem being pleased with us.

Therefore, every day we should realize that a great Purpose of Life is to make it a prime objective to make sure people are pleased with us. Then, R’ Hanina assures us that Hashem will be eternally pleased with us.

Rabbi Miller ZT”L explains further. In order to help us gain in our Sensory Awareness of Him, Hashem revealed to us that people are created in ‘the Image of G-d’. When we gain this Awareness we can think that Hashem is watching us through people’s eyes. This Mishna teaches us that a reminder of our relationship with Hashem is through our relationship with people.

Shabbat Shalom

Perke Abot

“Rabbi Yossi says: …and let all your deeds be for the sake of Heaven.” (Abot 2:12)

Rabbi Yossi was one of the five greatest disciples of Rabban Yohanan ben Zakai. He was a Cohen and was noted to be a “Haseed,” who served Hashem in an extraordinary manner in all aspects of service. The Mishna lists for us three cardinal paths which R’ Yossi lived by. In the final one he teaches us that we can practice having all of our actions done ‘In order to serve You Hashem’, and thereby reach high levels of perfection, through mundane as well as spiritual actions.

Rambam ZT”L wrote that this principle, of making all your actions for the purpose of Heaven, is a “wondrous point.” We can utilize this great principle in all facets of our lives and thereby elevate mundane activities into the spiritual realm of holiness and serving Hashem.

Prior to eating, walking, exercising, getting dressed, showering, opening then door to your place of work etc. just say the words, for example, “I am going to sleep tonight “To serve You Hashem.” You have now elevated your sleep and transformed it into actual serving Hashem.

By making this “wondrous” practice a regular part of our everyday life it will bring us to Yirat Shamayim, Awareness of G-d, in all of our actions and it will transform the most physical and ordinary daily activities into acts of Serving Hashem. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Mishle 3:4) The Gaon of Vilna explains this as “Let all of your deeds be for the sake of Heaven.”

This principle will also elevate our spiritual actions to a level closer to Hashem’s will. When the women are cooking meals for their families or lighting candles…; When the men are putting on Tefillin; Even before a person is about to open a book to learn Torah.

Rabbi Miller ZT”L calls this maxim ‘a purpose of life’ and ‘one of the big opportunities to gain good deeds without number’. Say it, once a day: “I am doing this in order to be more aware of Hashem.” Make all your actions for the purpose of Heaven.

Shabbat Shalom

Perke Abot

“Derech eretz precedes the acquisition of Torah.”

We traditionally study the Mishnayot of Perke Abot, The Ethics of the Fathers, during the weeks between Pesach and Shavuot. These Mishnayot are especially selected because of the instruction/mussar of our great Sages, through the practice of which we can perfect our character in order to be prepared to accept Hashem’s Torah.

This is one way to understand why Sefer Beresheet, which includes only three Mitzvot , preceeded Sefer Shemot, which includes the giving of the Torah. Sefer Beresheet is known as Sefer Derech Eretz. Through the many episodes which Hashem relates to us, we can see clear examples of Good & Evil, Kindliness, Honesty, Loyalty, Respect, Reward & Punishment, Power of Prayer, Prophesy, Inspiration, Family, Plan and Purpose, Hashem, Self Control… Beresheet is filled with models of good character in order for us to follow them to be prepared to be able to accept the Torah.

“Shammai said: Make your Torah study fixed, say little and do much, and receive everyone with a cheerful countenance.” (Abot 1:15) Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L would often teach this Mishna and stress the many benefits we can achieve by the constant proper practice of Shammai’s maxim with which he lived. Firstly, we observe the general idea of greeting every person with a friendly face. The Mishna literally lists three different steps to take in order to refine this holy practice. 1) “Sever,” means with expression 2) “Panim,” with a full face 3) “Yafot,” a pleasant face

Now, we are ready to greet people as Hashem wants us to. With an expression on your face, showing you are happy to see him (not with a non-expression ‘like the bottom of a frying pan’). With your full/whole face, not with half a face or the back of your neck. And with a pleasant Smile.

Once a day give a person a full smile. Just as Hashem shines on us, we should smile on others. Smile because Ha-Shem wants you to, even if you really don’t want to. When we encourage others through giving them a hearty greeting with a smile that includes emotions of love and caring with the G-dly countenance of our Faces, we are giving life and hope to them as well as good health and happiness. When you smile have intentions that you are doing it for the purpose of coming closer to Hashem.

Shabbat Shalom

Perke Abot

“Derech eretz precedes the acquisition of Torah.”

We traditionally study the Mishnayot of Perke Abot, The Ethics of the Fathers, during the weeks between Pesach and Shavuot. These Mishnayot are especially selected because of the instruction/mussar of our great Sages through which we can perfect our character in order to be prepared to accept Hashem’s Torah. This is one way to understand why Sefer Beresheet, which includes only 3 Mitzvot , preceeded Sefer Shemot, which includes the giving of the Torah. Sefer Beresheet is known as Sefer Derech Eretz. Through the many episodes which Hashem relates to us, we can see clear examples of Good and Evil, Kindliness, Honesty, Loyalty, Respect, Reward and Punishment, Power of Prayer, Prophesy, Inspiration, Family, Plan and Purpose, Hashem, Self Control… Beresheet is filled with models of good character in order for us to follow them to be prepared to be able to accept the Torah.

The Gaon of Vilna, in ‘Even Shelema’, opens his Sefer with this great principle. “All Hashem’s service is dependent upon the improvement of one’s character. Character traits are fundamental to the performance of Mitzvot and to Torah principles.”

The Rambam devotes a whole chapter in his ‘Yad Hachazaka’ to the subject of perfecting our character traits. He titles it ‘Hilchot De’ot’, The Laws of Opinions. When we study this chapter we do not find any ideas regarding ‘opinions’. It contains detailed instructions regarding correcting and perfecting our character traits.

So, why did Rambam name his chapter ‘De’ot’ (opinions/ideas) and not ‘Midot’ (character traits)? In order to teach us the real sources of both ‘Opinions’ and ‘Character Traits’. “Opinions (good or bad ideas) are what shape our Character. And Character (healthy or otherwise) will determine our opinions.” (Perke Abot 3:13)

“He (R’ Channina Ben Dosa) used to say, If the spirit of one’s fellow is pleased with him, then the spirit of Hashem is pleased with him.” Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L would say that this Mishna provides an answer to the big question which we should all have. How can I realize what Hashem feels about me. If He would only just send me a telegram and let me know. Hashem is telling us through this Mishna that when people are pleased with us, this indicates that Hashem is pleased with us. Therefore, a purpose in life is to make sure people are pleased with us.

Shabbat Shalom

Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L’s 6TH Yhartzeit 27 Nissan
In Memory of Rav Avigdor Ben Yisrael ZT”L

As Heard From Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L

“Derech eretz precedes the acquisition of Torah”

We traditionally study the Mishnayot of Perke Abot, The Ethics of the Fathers, during the weeks between Pesach and Shavuot. These Mishnayot are especially selected because of the instruction/mussar of our great Sages through which we can perfect our character in order to be prepared to accept Hashem’s Torah. This is one way to understand why Sefer Beresheet, which includes only three Mitzvot, preceeded Sefer Shemot, which includes the giving of the Torah. Sefer Beresheet is known as Sefer Derech Eretz. Through the many episodes which Hashem relates to us, we can see clear examples of Good & Evil, Kindliness, Honesty, Loyalty, Respect, Reward & Punishment, Power of Prayer, Prophesy, Inspiration, Family, Plan & Purpose, Hashem, Self Control…Beresheet is filled with models of good character in order for us to follow them to be prepared to be able to accept the Torah.

The Gaon of Vilna, in ‘Even Shelema’, opens his sefer with this great principle. “All Hashem’s service is dependent upon the improvement of one’s character. Character traits are fundamental to the performance of Mitzvot and to Torah principles.”

The Rambam devotes a whole chapter in his ‘Yad Hachazaka’ to the subject of perfecting our character traits. He titles it ‘Hilchot De’ot’, The Laws of Opinions. When we study this chapter we do not find any ideas regarding “opinions.” It contains detailed instructions regarding correcting and perfecting our character traits.

So, why did Rambam name his chapter ‘De’ot’ and not ‘Midot?’ In order to teach us the real sources of both ‘Opinions’ & ‘Character Traits.’ “Opinions (good or bad Ideas) are what shape our Character. And Character (healthy or otherwise) will determine our opinions.”

Shabbat Shalom

From your friends at Yeshiva Gedolah Bais Yisroel – Founded by Rabbi Avigdor Miller ZT”L