Ethical Wills Study Sheet

Pirke Avot 4:1

Pirkei Avot (the Chapters of Our Ancestors) is one of the tractates of the Talmud.  It is unique in that it deals predominantly with the sayings and ethical teachings of the earliest rabbis.

Ben Zoma said

“Who is wise?  The one who learns from everyone, as it is said, ‘From all who would teach me, have I gained understanding.’ [Ps. 119:99]  

Who is mighty?  The one who controls one’s evil inclination, as it is said, ‘The one who is slow to anger is better that the mighty and the one who rules one’s spirit is better than one who conquers a city.’ [Prov. 16:32]  

Who is rich?  The one who is happy with what one has, as it says, ‘When you eat what your hands have provided, you shall be happy and good will be yours.’ [Ps. 128:2]  You shall be happy in this world; and good will be yours in the world to come.  

Who is honored?  The one who honors others, as it says, ‘Those who honor Me, will I honor, and those who despise Me will be cursed.’” [I Sam. 2:30]

1. What does it mean to be wise?  Mighty?  Rich?  Honored?  

2. What other traits are important to have and why?

Eldad Pan

Eldad Pan was killed in Israel’s War of Independence at the age of twenty, a veteran of many battles.  The translation from the original Hebrew is by Sidney Greenberg.

Lately I have been thinking about what the goal of life should be.  At best, man’s life is short.  His life may be kind or harsh, easy or difficult, but the time passes before he realizes it.  An old person wants to live no less than a young person.  The years of life do not satisfy the hunger for life. What then shall we do during this time?

We can reach either of two conclusions.  The first is that since life is so short we should enjoy it as much as possible, The second is that precisely because life is short and no one can completely enjoy it (for we die with half our desire unsatisfied) (Eccles. Rabba I, 2), therefore we should dedicate life to a sacred and worthy goal, to sacrifice it for something which will be valued above life.  At times the first feeling is stronger and at others the second one.  Of late, however, I think that the second feeling is dominant.  It seems that I am slowly coming to the conclusion that life by itself is worth little value unless it serves something greater than itself.

1. What are the two possible life goals according to Eldad Pan?
2. When in a person’s life would the first goal make more sense?  The second goal?

The Book of Proverbs 4:1-11

Proverbs is part of the wisdom literature in the Hebrew Bible.  Classically attributed to King Solomon, its wisdom is timeless and still rings true today.

Children, listen to the teaching of parents, and pay attention to gain understanding.  Behold, a good doctrine has been given to you, My Torah;  do not forsake it.  When I was a young child to my father, a tender one and an only one before my mother, he instructed me and said to me:

"May your heart draw near to my words; keep my commandments and live.  Acquire wisdom, acquire understanding; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth.  Do not let wisdom go, and it will preserve you; love wisdom and it will guard you.  Wisdom begins with getting more wisdom, and with all your possessions acquire understanding.  Cherish wisdom, and it will exalt you; embrace wisdom and it will honor you.  It will give your head a wreath of grace; it will transmit to you a crown of glory.

“Listen, my child, and take my words, and years of life will increase for you.  In the way of wisdom I instructed you; I led you in the path of righteousness.”

1. According to this text, what is the most important quality a person can gain?

2. What are the benefits to gaining this quality?

A Mother’s Will

Published in the ghetto newspaper Warsaw-Krakow, 1920, this will was signed only “Your Mother.”

Judaism, my child, is the struggle to bring down God upon earth, a struggle for the sanctification of the human heart.  This struggle your people wages not with physical force but with spirit, with sincere, heartfelt prayers, and by constant striving for truth and justice.

So do you understand, my child, how we are distinct from others and wherein lies the secret of our existence on earth?

Knowing this, will your heart still be heavy, my child?  Will you still say you cannot stand your fate?  But you must, my child, for so were you commanded; it is your calling.  This is your mission, your purpose on earth.

You must go to work alongside people of other nations… and you will teach them that they must come to a brotherhood of nations and to a union of all nations with God.

You may ask, “How does one speak to them?” This is how: “Thou shalt not murder; thou shalt not steal; thou shalt not covet; love thy neighbor as thyself…” Do these things and through merit, my child, you will be victorious.

1. What does this mother say we need to do to “bring God upon earth”?

2. How do you, in your own life, bring God upon earth?