Shimon His Son Said: "All My Days I Grew Up Among The Sages And Did Not Find Anything Better For One'S Person Than Silence.

"Study Is Not The Essential Thing, Practice Is; And Whoever Engages In Excessive Talk Brings On Sin."

Shimon His Son

Although the following mishnah refers to him by the title Rabban Shimon, this mishnah refers to this Sage merely as "Shimon his son." As will be explained, the fundamental purpose of this mishnah is to teach humility.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Matos, 5741)

All My Days I Grew Up

An important lesson can be derived from this introductory phrase. Rabbi Shimon never ceased growing as a person; he was constantly expanding his horizons. And the mishnah explains that this is because he lived...

Among The Sages

Their company and example pushed him toward continued advancement.

(Ibid.)

I... Did Not Find Anything Better For One's Person Than Silence

Silence refers to the qualities of humility and selflessness. , translated as "one's person," literally means "his body." The most effective means of refining the body is by studying the Torah with humility and selflessness. For the Torah is transcendent, G-dly truth.

Thus rather than "breaking" the body[53] as other approaches might, studying Torah with humility enables one to transform it into a vehicle for holiness.

(Ibid., Likkutei Sichos, Vol. I, p. 70ff)

Study Is Not The Essential Thing, Practice Is

Since the purpose of creation as a whole is to give G-d a dwelling in the lower worlds,[54] living the Torah in deed and action - and not merely in thought and speech - is of fundamental priority.[55]

(Likkutei Sichos, Vol. IV, p. 1186)

Whoever Engages In Excessive Talk Brings On Sin

Pride and self-consciousness - the opposites of humility - are often characterized by excessive talk. The mishnah points out that adopting this manner may therefore lead to sin. Moreover, can also be interpreted as meaning "a lack."[56] Surely a tendency to excessive talk implies a lack of awareness of the true nature of the Torah.

Alternatively, this clause can be considered as a directive to teachers. Our Sages state[57] that a person should always instruct his students in short, concise phrases. "Excessive talk" could create confusion and cause a student to misinterpret the teacher's instructions. At the very least, it could lead to a lack as mentioned above.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Matos, 5741)

   

Notes:

53. (Back to text) See HaYom Yom, entry 28 Shvat.

54. (Back to text) Midrash Tanchuma, Parshas Bechukosai, sec. 3; see Tanya, chs. 33 and 36.

55. (Back to text) See Likkutei Sichos, Vol. VIII, p. 108.

56. (Back to text) Likkutei Torah, Matos 82a, based on I Melachim 1:21; and Rashi's commentary.

57. (Back to text) Pesachim 3b.