Timeless Torah

We live in an age when moral criticism is considered in bad taste and offensive. Of course, this makes most mothers politically incorrect. But they are not in such bad company. Their moral high-ground is shared by Judaism, as the Talmud points out, “All Jews are responsible for one another.”

This brings us to the classic, moral treatise Ethics of our Fathers, whose first of six chapters will be studied this Shabbat afternoon in most synagogues. In Mishnah number ten we are introduced to Shemayah, a proselyte, or perhaps the descendant of proselytes, turned Sage. He and his colleague Avtalyon, who lived in the middle of the first century BCE, refused to take an oath of allegiance to King Herod, the murderous despot, even under penalty of death.

His teaching, immortalized for posterity reads like this, “Love work; abhor (Horabonus) taking high office.” Specifically, the Hebrew word Horabonus means the Rabbinate. Of course this does not mean to disparage Rabbis. Shemayah’s statement however, can be better understood through its historical context.

In the three way struggle between the Pharisees (religious), Saducees (secular), and Herod (government), the Sanhedrin which was the highest religious institution in the land became a vicious battleground, with all groups vying for control. A sense of disillusionment set in. The office of religion and its dependence on prevailing political winds had many Sages stay away from public service.

Under those conditions, Shemayah gave voice to his fears. “Better to love honest labor than to accept religious appointment. Only then can you stay free of corruption and compromise.” There is also however, a positive note to his words. It is not simply a matter of “not minding work” but of “loving work.” Labor, aside from its utility or economic value, provides inner satisfaction in knowing a job was well done. To be creative or to fashion something is man’s gift from G-d. It is there that he most expresses his distinctive humanity and his G-dlike image. Within the Rabbinate, this holds true as well. We are told to love the creative achievement possible in the Rabbinate, but to despise the honorific trappings that accompany the position. Indeed, the only legitimate basis for honor is the clergyman’s accomplishments. As the Rabbis remind us, “It is not the position that honors the man, but man who gives honor to the position.”

This applies to all titles. Whether they be doctor, lawyer, teacher or even parent. We must forget the decorative labels and focus on the good work that we need to do. Thus, don’t hate the Rabbis, and Rabbis don’t be too impressed with the sign on your office door. Instead, love the opportunity.