Students of Good - Students of Evil - You Choose

In today's "Random Torah" post, we take a look at the theme of becoming a student. Perhaps we have already studied something. Then, of course, we would have already chosen to be a student of something and certainly somebody. If we haven't yet studied - or if we are ready to take a new look at who we have studied from and who we should be studying from, our Mishnah in Pirkei Avot 5:19 gives us a key to success.

Prophecy

Pirkei Avot 5:19

כָּל מִי שֶׁיֵּשׁ בְּיָדוֹ שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הַלָּלוּ, מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ. וּשְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים אֲחֵרִים, מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע. עַיִן טוֹבָה, וְרוּחַ נְמוּכָה, וְנֶפֶשׁ שְׁפָלָה, מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ. עַיִן רָעָה, וְרוּחַ גְּבוֹהָה, וְנֶפֶשׁ רְחָבָה, מִתַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע. מַה בֵּין תַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ לְתַלְמִידָיו שֶׁל בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע. תַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל אַבְרָהָם אָבִינוּ, אוֹכְלִין בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וְנוֹחֲלִין בָּעוֹלָם הַבָּא, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (משלי ח) לְהַנְחִיל אֹהֲבַי יֵשׁ, וְאֹצְרֹתֵיהֶם אֲמַלֵּא. אֲבָל תַּלְמִידָיו שֶׁל בִּלְעָם הָרָשָׁע יוֹרְשִׁין גֵּיהִנֹּם וְיוֹרְדִין לִבְאֵר שַׁחַת, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (תהלים נה) וְאַתָּה אֱלֹהִים תּוֹרִידֵם לִבְאֵר שַׁחַת, אַנְשֵׁי דָמִים וּמִרְמָה לֹא יֶחֱצוּ יְמֵיהֶם, וַאֲנִי אֶבְטַח בָּךְ:

Anyone who has these three things is from the students of Abraham, our father, and [anyone who has] three other things is from the students of Bilaam the evildoer: [one who has] a good eye, a humble spirit and a lowly spirit (small appetite) -- is from the students of Abraham, our father. [One who has] an evil eye, a haughty spirit and a broad spirit (large appetite) - is from the students of Bilaam the evildoer. What [difference] is there between the students of Abraham, our father, and the students of Bilaam the evildoer? The students of Abraham, our father, eat in this world and possess the next world, as it is stated (Proverbs 8:21), "There is what for those that love Me to inherit, and their treasuries will I fill." But the students of Bilaam the evildoer inherit Gehinnom(Purgatory) and go down to the pit of destruction, as it is stated (Psalms 55:24), "And You, God, will bring them down to the pit of destruction; the people of blood and deceit, they will not live out half their days; and I will trust in You."

LIFE'S LESSONS

Life will throw a variety of lessons at one as one progresses from day to day. The question that concerns us is who we will be learning our lessons from. This is basic pedagogy. When it comes to studying, we are as much influenced by our books as by our teachers. People can teach far more than books - because we are constantly in touch with people as we are active during the day. One moment we'll be in touch with a store clerk. Another moment it's the boss. Another moment it's some kids making a noise outside. There's our parents/grandparents, our spouses, our siblings and all the other family members. There's not a moment that goes by when we aren't being influenced in some way by others.

What we need to ask ourselves is - what type of people do we want to become? Who do we want to emulate in life? There are those whose ways lean towards evil, and those to whose ways lean to good. How do we know who to follow and who will help us achieve our goals? Are we really interested in pursuing a life of good - or are we just concerned with projecting to others how good we are?

We are all students, however. We never stop learning. It's just a question of the path of learning we will take! Our Mishnah in Pirkei Avot sets up a precedent! Do you want to become a (life) student of Avraham? Or would you prefer to be a (life) student of Bilam? In fact, while these two people lived at different periods of time, their characters are at exact opposite poles and perhaps this is why the Mishnah is using these two men as examples for us.

Avraham - the father of the Jewish people had a good eye! He had a humble spirit and he also had a lowly spirit (small appetite - having no need to desire things beyond his necessities.) On the other hand, Bilam - the evil prophet (the equivalent of Moses, but on the side of evil) had a bad eye. He had a haughty spirit and a broad appetite - desiring everything - everything! Naturally, the exact language of the Mishnah demands clarification, but it is not the purpose of this post to go into the exact wording chosen (and the supposed similar translations of the different concepts.)

The important thing to keep in mind is whether we wish to follow in the footsteps of a man of kindness, or a man of desire. We have free choice and can do whatever we want to in this world. So long as the police don't catch us up to mishief, we can get away with anything. If we live with an attitude like this - probably the attitude of a Bilam - we will desire everything in the world, demanding it all for ourselves. Is this who we wish to become? That we should rule everything and own everything in existence?

If, on the other hand, we are attracted to a good way of behaviour, and it is not just the police who we fear, but more importantly - God, then we will concentrate our learning in the direction of Avraham. We will look to things in a good way - good for ourselves, good for others! We will be humble and by no means demanding of everything in life - perhaps just those things that we need to actually live - whatever they may be. It is fair to desire the things one really needs in life. If not, what are we living for if we cannot manage to get through our day altogether?! It's just the unnecessary things that so many demand - while other lack so much of life itself - that become superfluous, extravagant and so often, even selfish. 

The student of Avraham loves good. If you see someone pursuing values of goodness - caring about others, not criticising them constantly, wanting their best - even though they themselves suffer - you can bet he / she is a student of Avraham. Wherever they turn - they turn to the direction of a righteous man. He is humble. He feels lowly in the presence of others - as if they're always so much greater than he.

When you see someone pursuing selfish values - demanding of others, critical of others, expecting everything for themselves, you can bet that their attitude is to be a student of Bilam - wanting everything in a magical manner, and a manner that would cause destruction to others, so that they can have what they want for themselves. Once the fires flame, and anger sets in, arrogance abounds and it's "all for me!" Then you know who they have been studying from. It is not Avraham. This was not his way.

These two individuals best sum up where we want to be in our own lives. If we're striving for goodness, lowliness and humility, we'll do ourselves the favour of studying more Torah to understand the beautiful qualities of Avraham - so that we can become just like him. If, on the other hand we are not interested in the lifestyle of an Avraham - we will turn away and with very little choice - be stuck with following the ways of Bilam - an evil person set out only on the path of selfish gain.

Take a look at those around you whenever you have the chance, and you'll be able to see where they are headed. Look at their desires, their level of humility or their constant demand and arrogance over everything and anything. If they're not pursuing the path of Avraham, you can bet, their only path is on towards becoming a Bilam!

The choice is ours. We must select a path to follow. Will we choose to live our lives studying the teachings of Avraham and leave this world a student of his, or will we neglect his path, and instead choose the path best fit for the individual who has no desire for Torah, goodness, kindness and humility... He will leave this world, a student of Bilam.