תלמוד על עמוס 3:7

¹This chapter, known as Pereḳ Ḳinyan Torah, ‘The Chapter on the Acquisition of the Torah’, or as Pereḳ R. Meir, ‘The Chapter of R. Meir’, is an appendix to the tractate Aboth. Cf. Aboth, Sonc. ed., p. 78, n. 2. It is printed in P.B., pp. 208ff.BARAITHA. R. Meir said: Whoever occupies himself with the Torah for its own sake merits many things; nay more, the whole world is beholden to him. He is called friend,²Cf. Isa. 41, 8, where it is used of Abraham. beloved,³Cf. Prov. 8, 17, I love them that love me. a lover of the All-present and a lover of his fellow-creatures, one who gladdens⁴Cf. Judg. 9, 13, [wine] which cheereth God and man. The Torah is compared by the Rabbis to wine. the All-present and his fellow-creatures. It clothes him⁵Cf. Isa. 61, 10, He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation. with meekness and reverence [of God]; it fits him to be righteous, pious, upright and faithful; it keeps him far from sin and brings him near to merit. From him men enjoy counsel, sound knowledge, understanding and strength; as it is stated, Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, power is mine.⁶Prov. 8, 14. It gives him sovereignty,⁷A regal appearance. dominion,⁸An impressive personality. greatness and [the ability to be] searching in judgment, and to him are revealed the secret [meanings] of the Torah.⁹Cf. Ps. 25, 14; Amos 3, 7. He becomes like a well that never fails and like a stream which gathers strength as it flows on. He is modest, patient and forgiving of insults directed at him It makes him great and exalts him above all things.

HALAKHAH: “Similarly, for good deeds. Miriam waited for Moses one hour as it is said³¹⁵Ex. 2:4.: ‘His sister stood by from afar’ etc. Therefore, ³¹⁷This version corresponds to the Mishnah in the Babli. Israel stayed put for her for seven days in the prairie as it is said³¹⁶Num. 12:15.: ‘The people did not travel until Miriam was taken in.’ ” ³¹⁸Ex. rabba 1:26. A similar homily is in the Babli, 11a. Rebbi Joḥanan said, the entire verse was said in the language of inspiration: “His sister stood by,” “I saw the Eternal standing on the altar.³¹⁹Am. 9:1.” “His sister,” “say to wisdom: you are my sister.³²⁰Prov. 7:4.” “From far”, “from far away the Eternal appeared to me³²¹Jer. 31:2..” “To know”, “for the earth will be full of the Eternal’s knowledge.³²²Is. 11:9.” “What will be done with him”, “because the Eternal will not do anything unless He uncovered His counsel to His servants, the prophets.³²³Am. 3:7.”