Todatys #pillowsonavos comes from #PirkeiAvos 5:26 Ben Heh-Heh used to say: According to the effort is the reward. In his commentary to this Mishna, Rav Matisyahu Hayitziri explained that in this Mishna Ben Ha Ha was referring to Torah study. His point was that according to one’s pain is one’s understanding of Torah. In his Mishneh Torah, the Rambam seems to point in a different direction, as he wrote, “The task of Torah study is not incumbent upon you to complete, nor are you free to desist from it. If you have acquired much Torah, you have acquired much reward, and that reward is commensurate with the difficulty invested.” It would seem that while Rav Matisyahu Hayitziri explained the focus of the Mishna as Torah study and understanding the Torah, meaning that it is only with pain that you’ll understand, and that the Mishna’s inclusion of reward is merely a hint to the true point which is understanding. The Rambam seems to take the Mishna at more face value and sees it as discussing actual reward. Rav Matisyahu Hayitziri’s comments can be explained by understanding his perspective as reward for Torah study is the understanding of the Torah. Not that there isn’t actual reward for Torah study, but that understanding the Torah is a reward in itself. In order to understand the Torah, much effort has to be expended, and it is this point that the Mishna makes. The Rambam’s understanding of the Mishna is more straightforward, and he seems to have written that since reward is merit based, one must earn it. The way one earns reward is through effort. Therefore, all reward is according to one’s effort. The Rambam’s view is that reward is commensurate with perfection attained. Perfection attained is in direct relation to effort put forth. It is the effort to overcome one’s instinct and involve himself in perfect goals that perfects a person.
Posted on: Tue, 07 Oct 2014 05:33:17 +0000