A Slow Reading of The Introduction to "The Path of the Just" (Part 12)

12.

"'Walking in His ways' includes all manner of character correction and reparation. This is what our sages were referring to when they said, 'Just as He is compassionate, you too are to be compassionate; just as He is gracious, you too are to be gracious, etc.' (Shabbat 133B). The point is that all of your traits and actions are to be just and ethical."

"Our sages stated the principal thusly: '[Do] all that is attractive and has its doer appear attractive' (Pirke Avot 2:1), i.e., do all that directs you toward the true, good end -- the strengthening of Torah and the institution of universal brotherhood."

-- The sort of "universal brotherhood" referred to here is Messianic rather than utopian, quixotic, or ideological.

Translation of text (c) 1996 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman
Original comments (c) 2005 Rabbi Yaakov Feldman