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Welcome to Torah Daily, your daily source for uplifting and insightful Torah teachings. Dive into timeless wisdom, explore the weekly Parsha, and discover practical lessons for modern living. Whether you're a seasoned scholar or new to Torah study, our episodes offer a meaningful journey through the sacred texts. Subscribe now and enrich your day, one Torah lesson at a time.
Welcome, dear listeners, to another episode of Daily Torah Wisdom. Today, we delve into the timeless teachings of Pirkei Avot, the Ethics of our Fathers.
Here is a simple yet profound piece of wisdom from Rabbi Hillel: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"
The first part, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me?" calls us to take personal responsibility. It's a reminder that we must be our own advocates in the pursuit of growth, both spiritually and in the mundane world.
Yet, Hillel quickly counters this with, "But if I am only for myself, what am I?" We are not islands, separate from the world around us. We are an integral part of our community and our society. We have responsibilities towards others. If our lives only revolve around our own interests, what kind of life is that?
Finally, Hillel says, "And if not now, when?" This is a summons to action. Now is the moment to act, to change, to make a difference. Tomorrow may be too late.
In our busy, everyday lives, these words call us to balance - balance between self-care and care for others, between ambition and altruism, between now and the future.
This podcast was produced and sponsored by Daniel Aharonoff.