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The Steak & the Sizzle

 

The second Mishna in Pirkeh Avot contains one of the most famous teachings in Pirkeh Avot:

 

 

על שלשה דברים העולם עומד, על התורה ועל העבודה ועל גמילות חסדים.

 

The world stands on three things – on Torah, on service [of Hashem], and on acts of kindness.

 

This Mishnah establishes that the three "pillars," so-to-speak, of the world are Torah learning, serving Hashem through sacrifices and prayer, and kindness toward other people.

 

However, a later Mishnah in this chapter (18) seems to contradict this statement:

 

 

על שלשה דברים העולם קיים, על הדין ועל האמת ועל השלום.

 

The world exists through three things – judgment, truth, and peace.

 

This later Mishna lists three other things as the "pillars" that uphold the world.  Apparently, there is a difference between the three things upon which the world "stands" (עומד) and the three things through which the world "exists" (קיים).

 

Rabbeinu Yonah explains that the first Mishna is teaching us the purpose of the world, why we are here.  The three pursuits that define our purpose as Jews is תורה, עבודה and גמילות חסדים – serious engagement in Torah study, focused service of Hashem, and looking out for other people with kindness, generosity and sensitivity.  The later Mishna, on the other hand, is telling us the three things that the world needs to continue existing, that without which, society would become chaotic and life would be impossible.  If there is no justice system, and if people are dishonest and are unable to live with each other peacefully, then the world cannot achieve its purpose.  But these three do not define the purpose – they are rather the features that the world needs for the purpose to be realized.

 

Rabbenu Yonah here is teaching us of the crucial need to differentiate between the essence of Jewish life, and the secondary features of Jewish life – a lesson which, I feel, is exceedingly relevant in our time.

 

We need to be very careful not to confuse the "frills" with the core-essence; to distinguish between the "steak" and the "sizzle."

 

There are many beautiful practices which have become common features of religious life today, but which must not be mistaken for the essence of religious life.  Many people frequently travel to Israel to receive blessings from great Rabbis, and to pray at graves of tzadikim.  Many people belong to Tehillim chat groups.  Many people receive and watch two-minute inspiration videos.  Many people give money to the Rabbi Meir Ba'al Ha'ness charity and recite a special prayer when they can't find something. 

 

I am not at all opposed to any of these; to the contrary, I fully support them and I think they are wonderful.  But we need to avoid the mistake of thinking that this is what Torah life is about.

 

Torah life is about תורה, עבודה and גמילות חסדים.  תורה – spending significant amounts of time immersed in Torah study, challenging ourselves to understand difficult and intricate texts and to enhance our knowledge and understanding of Torah.  עבודה – ensuring to recite all the prayers at the right time and in the right way, with concentration and emotion.  גמילות חסדים – working on ourselves to be more sensitive, more generous, more compassionate, more forgiving, more respectful and more patient.

 

Often, when people face some kind of problem – such as a health issue, or a challenge with parnasah (livelihood) – their immediate reaction is to receive a blessing for a Rabbi, say some Tehillim, and give some money to charity.  And these are all wonderful things to do.  However, this should not be the primary response.

 

The primary response is to do something that is both important and difficult, something that is challenging and which makes a significant difference.  Spending time engrossed in high-level Torah study.  Making a real effort to recite the entire shemonah esreh with concentration three times every day.  Being kind and gracious to people whom we do not feel naturally inclined to be kind and gracious to.  Deciding to avoid lashon ha'ra and to instead speak positively about other people.  Not getting angry even when somebody does or says something that upsets us.

 

Joining Tehillim groups, watching two-minute inspiration videos, and visiting graves are all wonderful – but these are the "sizzle," not the "steak."  The "sizzle" is important – we need the excitement and "hype" that these bring to religious life – but they must not be mistaken for religious life itself.  Religious life is about working hard to learn Torah, working hard to sincerely serve Hashem, and working hard to be kind to other people.

 

Let's try to stay focused on what really matters, and make a real effort to excel in the areas that Hashem wants us to excel in.

- Joey Haber

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https://itorah.com/weekly-inspire/freedom-from-the-bug-in-our-brain/15/31145