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Mishna, Pirkei Avot 2:15-16

 

פרקי אבות ב:יח–יט

Original Text:

משנה טו
[יד] רבי טרפון אומר היום קצר והמלאכה מרובה והפועלים עצלים והשכר הרבה ובעל הבית דוחק:
משנה טז
[טו] הוא היה אומר לא עליך המלאכה לגמור ולא אתה בן חורין ליבטל ממנה אם למדת תורה הרבה נותנים לך שכר הרבה ונאמן הוא בעל מלאכתך שישלם לך שכר פעולתך ודע מתן שכרן של צדיקים לעתיד לבא:

Translation:

Rabbi Tarfon says, The day is short, the work is great, the workers are lazy, but the reward is great, and the master of the house is knocking [at your door].
He would [also] say, It is not upon you to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it. [Translation by Hillel]

Suggested Discussion Questions:

1. Why does Rabbi Tarfon group these five things together in his first statement? What is the meaning of this statement in full?
2. How does Rabbi Tarfon understand human nature and their work ethic? Do you agree?
3. What is the work that Rabbi Tarfon refers to in his second statement? How does community fit into this statement?

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Related Sourcesheets:A duty to change the whole world?, Exodus, Redemption and Service

Submitted By

Hillel

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