This is an eternal principle that can be difficult to grasp. HaShem created, formed, and made everything. There are no mistakes. HaShem knows everything; everything that has happened, is happening, and will happen. There are no instances of HaShem saying to Himself, “oops, that is not what I intended.” HaShem created beings with free will (us) knowing we would not follow Him all the time. He created all the celestial beings as well. He gave us the understanding of our free will in the Orchard, the Garden of Eden. He created mankind, knowing He would live among us and be tortured and killed by us. And, through this entire process, He knows that we, mankind, will eventually turn to Him. The Bible teaches us that the children of Israel are the leaders in this return to HaShem. We are the light unto the nations. We are destined to be the leaders in this reconciliation, this rectification, this Tikkun, to HaShem. To do this, we must all strive to let the light of Mashiakh, the Messiah, shine through us, so others may see. We must all be lights unto the nations.

People looking in at Jewish culture from the outside are frequently confused and dismayed by the ardor and the joy in our disagreements. Avot, here, gives a wonderful explanation. There are disagreements and then there are disagreements. Hillel and Shammai’s famous debates in Mishna, there are 316 of them, outline the proper understanding of the Tanakh that Yeshua and His Talmidim professed and followed. Yeshua almost always followed Hillel, as Mishna does. Why then do we remember both Hillel and Shammai? It is because it is their disputes, the arguments themselves, which are important. Yeshua wanted us to understand not only the correct understanding of Tanakh, but also how the correct understanding was deduced. Some examples of understanding Torah include the principles of compassion before ritual; ritual before convenience; love of each other is like love of HaShem. Whether Shammai was right or wrong in establishing the understanding of these principles is not important. What is important is that without Shammai and Hillel both, we would not have clear understanding of these principles and how they are found in Torah and how we should apply them in our lives. That is why Yeshua taught these disputes and the proper understanding of them.

On the other hand, the dispute of Korach and Moshe Rabaynu is completely different. Here was a dispute founded in jealousy and ego. Korach’s dispute was clearly for power and had nothing to do with advancing the nation’s relationship with HaShem.

The lesson here is easy. Be like Hillel, be like Shammai. Don’t be like Korach.

Ben Zoma was one of the great Tana’im. There is much evidence that he was a believer in Yeshua. His is quoted all through the Mishna and the Passover Haggadah. Ben Zoma, here, is extending Yeshua’s teaching against the hypocrisy of the leadership of the Pharisees. Wisdom is not only taught by the learned, wisdom should be gained from everyone. Strength is not physical; strength is in self-control, i.e. overcoming one’s flesh. Wealth is not in overabundance, wealth is in acceptance of whom and where one is right now. In other words, wealth is in trusting HaShem. Honor is not something one bestows on oneself; rather it is he who honors others that gains honor. “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Most cultures in the world today regulate themselves through the concepts of honor and shame. Pastor Tom Bradford of www.Torahclass.com/ sent me a fascinating article about Honor and Shame last year. It has given me greater understanding of the difficulties we face in following Torah. In America today, the ideas of honor and shame have made a strong comeback. If someone speaks of themselves with enough bravado, they are to be honored, or, being ‘dissed’ is shameful. As Yeshua taught, this thinking is clearly against HaShem’s path for us. To be honored, one must honor others. To honor others, one must show humility and humble oneself. Humility is a sign of wisdom. Wisdom learns from every man. Every man may honor you.

In our society today, beating our chests with pride and hubris is lauded. The more one speaks of ourselves the more we are to be praised. This thinking is exactly backwards. Yeshua teaches and Ben Zoma clarifies, do what is right by HaShem, without any expectation of reward or recognition, and people will honor you. Not because you are trying to be honored, but because you are trying to follow HaShem with a pure heart. Then you will be overcoming your inclinations and be strong. Then you will accept who you are in HaShem’s plan and be wealthy. Have a wonderful Lag B’Omer!

If you wish to receive a copy of “Honor and Shame” please email me at rabbistevenbernstein@gmail.com