The Orchard

“Modesty is a fine quality, Akiva, but sometimes it masks an unwillingness to take responsibility.

“Men cut up the world with sharp knives: ‘Art thou for us, or for our adversaries?’ We – the women – understand moderation and compromise.

as sages are wont to do, each thinks differently, feels differently, and draws his own conclusions. After all, consensus is for the simple folk.

In this matter, he actually supports the approach of Hillel, who said again and again, “Be disciples of Aaron – a lover of peace and a pursuer of peace.” We must pursue peace even when it stands in opposition to another obligation, such as, for example, telling the truth. All our lives we are asked to decide between conflicting commandments.

It is human nature: people forced to uproot themselves painfully at a young age are able to retain flexible attitudes later in life, while those who remain in the same surroundings all their lives develop ossified attitudes and icy souls, and they hold the same opinions all their lives. Sometimes, they appear to have changed, but these are not real

The Pharisees are lenient with the Torah’s commandments through the oral law, but the Sadducees believe only in the written Torah. They regard the commandments of the Torah as permanent and unchanging injunctions that may not be eased.”

What can he say to him? That the Children of Israel grew weary of the Temple? That the God of Israel despised it? That the prophets of Israel opposed it ferociously? That the sages of Israel established the beit midrash in its place and will never give up the sublime study of Torah in exchange for the blood of slaughtered animals? That every time t

History repeats itself. The deeds of the sages serve as signs for their students.

‘Without conservation, there can be no renewal.’