Yehoshua Ben Perachyah And Nittai Of Arbel Received [The Oral Tradition] From Them. Yehoshua Ben Perachyah Said: "Provide Yourself With A Master; Acquire For Yourself A Friend; And Judge Every Person Favorably."
The intent is not merely to recommend getting a teacher who will enhance one's knowledge, but a guide whom one consults regarding one's conduct.
By nature, man is influenced by self-love. This natural bias makes it difficult to know whether we are making adequate efforts in our study of Torah, in our gifts to charity, and in other elements of our divine service.
How can we know? By consulting another person who can look at our situation objectively. Every man, woman and child should consult a Torah personality whom he respects, and should accept that person's advice, not merely as friendly counsel, but as the directives of "a master."
Holding himself responsible for the evaluation of another individual will enable a person to make maximum use of the potential with which he has been endowed.
Even when a person is himself a teacher and capable of instructing others, he should seek a master for himself.[25] No matter how great his own wisdom, he can make greater progress when his conduct is scrutinized by the objective eyes of a person who wants to help him advance.
The Hebrew term Oseh, translated as "provide," can also mean "force."[26] In this vein, the mishnah is teaching us to accept a master even if we must force ourselves to do so.
(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Devarim, 5746)
The guidance of a master is not sufficient. A person also needs colleagues at his own level with whom to share the trials and triumphs of advancing in divine service.
[27]
(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Matos-Masei, 5742)
Even when a person's conduct does not seem worthy of favorable judgment, one should endeavor to find redeeming virtue within him.
In this context, it is possible to cite a narrative from Rabbi Yehoshua's own life. Our Sages relate[28] that "that person" (a Talmudic term used to refer to J. of Nazareth) was one of Rabbi Yehoshua's students. Even after "that person" had forsaken Jewish observance, Rabbi Yehoshua tried to persuade him to repent.
"That person" refused, replying: "I received the following tradition from you: 'A person who sins and causes others to sin is not given the opportunity to repent.' "
Of course Rabbi Yehoshua knew this principle, but he also knew that if a person makes a sincere attempt, his repentance will be accepted regardless of his previous conduct.[29] Despite his former student's behavior, Rabbi Yehoshua judged him as capable of repenting sincerely enough to regain G-d's favor.
(Sichas Shabbos Parshas Behaalos'cha, 5741)
Judging a person favorably involves an honest appreciation of the challenges which that person faces.[30] And this awareness should also lead to the understanding that G-d has surely given that person the ability to overcome these challenges.[31] This, in turn, should heighten the esteem with which we regard this individual, for he is a person to whom G-d has entrusted the formidable powers necessary to overcome severe challenges.
When the manner in which we relate to that person reflects such respect, this will inspire the individual to bring these potentials to the surface.
(Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XXVII, p. 164-165)
Notes:
- (Back to text) This concept is reflected in the fact that the author of this teaching was Rabbi Yehoshua ben Perachyah, the Nasi, the Torah leader of the Jewish people. Even Rabbi Yehoshua appreciated the necessity of subjugating his conduct to the review of a colleague (Sichos Shabbos Parshas Behaalos'cha, 5741).
- (Back to text) See the notes of the Beis Yosef to the Tur (Yoreh De'ah, sec. 248). See also the commentary of the Rambam and R. Ovadiah of Bartenura to this mishnah.
- (Back to text) See also Chapter 6, Beraisa 6, which teaches that one of the means through which "the Torah is acquired" is "close association with colleagues."
- (Back to text) Sanhedrin 107b, according to Chisronos HaShas.
- (Back to text) Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Teshuvah 4:6; Tanya, ch. 25.
- (Back to text) See Tanya, ch. 30, in explanation of Pirkei Avos 2:4, which explains that a person should not look down at a colleague who is involved in worldly affairs. Such a person faces greater challenges in his divine service than one who is involved in Torah study.
- (Back to text) For as our Sages (Bamidbar Rabbah 12:3) state, G-d forces a person to confront only those challenges which he can overcome.
Chapter One - Mishna 5