"Yehudah ben Tema said: The respectful people go to Gan Eden. May it be Your will, HaShem, our G-d and the G-d of our Forefathers, that the Holy Temple be rebuilt quickly in our days, and grant us our share in Your Torah."
A person who is respectful will be kind and considerate of others, as well as devote himself to fulfill the Mitzvoth. Accordingly, he will receive his just reward - eternal delight in Gan Eden.
The last phrase of the passage is a prayer: May it be Your will, HaShem, our G-d and the G-d of our Forefathers, that the Holy Temple be rebuilt quickly in our days, and grant us our share in Your Torah. What is the relationship of this prayer to the first statement regarding the lot the respectful who go to Gan Eden?
The Talmud (Yevamos 79a) states: "The people of Israel are characterized by three virtues: They are compassionate, respectful, and perform acts of loving-kindness." The trait of respectfulness evokes a person who has a sense of awe of HaShem. Consequently, his goodness will inspire him to fulfill the Torah.
This teaching sheds light on the significance of the prayer and its relationship to the lesson. Specifically, the intention of the prayer is: Just as You have graciously blessed us with the attribute of respectfulness, so too, bless us with the quick rebuilding of the Holy Temple and our share in Torah.
HaShem bestows upon Israel the precious virtue of respectfulness. Therefore, it is fitting for us to stand in the Holy Presence of HaShem which is manifest in the Temple. May our study of Mussar purify our characters so that we all merit seeing the immediate rebuilding of the Temple! (Based on the commentary of the Rambam to Pirkei Avos)
TODAY: Connect to your inherent attribute of respect and treat other people respectfully.
Important Numbers
