Divine Wisdom and Human Virtue: From Judaism – The Talmud, Part 1 of 2

Tract Aboth Chapter 5

“‘By ten sayings the world was created.’ For what purpose is this stated? To teach that if one carries out a precept, or observes one Sabbath, or preserves a soul, it is considered as if he had preserved the entire world, which was created with ten sayings. But he who transgresses once, or violates one Sabbath, or destroys one soul, is considered like unto one who has destroyed the entire world, which was created with ten sayings. […]”

“Seven things mark the ignorant, and seven there are for the sage. The wise man does not speak before those who surpass him in wisdom and years; he does not interrupt another in his speech, he is not hasty in answering; he does not ask questions rashly; asks with propriety and to the point; speaks first upon the matter first in order, and last upon last; when he does not understand the matter under discussion, he confesses, ‘I do not understand it’; and admits it when he has been convinced. The opposite of these things mark the ignorant. […]

With seven things God created the world. They are as follows: Wisdom, understanding, knowledge, strength, might, kindness, and mercy. And as He has created the world with seven things, so also has He created seven ancestors – Three Fathers and Four Mothers.

Seven attributes are serving before the Throne of Grace, namely: Faithful, Righteous, Justice, Kind, Merciful, Truth, Peace, as it is written [Hosea 2:19, 20]: ‘And I will betroth [promise] thee unto Me forever: yea, I will betroth [promise] thee in righteousness, and in justice, and in loving-kindness, and in mercy. And I will betroth [promise] thee unto Me in faithfulness; and thou shall know the Lord’; and further [Psalm 85:10]: ‘Kindness and truth are encountered together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.’ And what signifies, ‘and thou shall know the Lord?’ Anyone who is possessed of these attributes has a knowledge of the wisdom of the Omnipotent.”

“Five are not to be forgiven: The one who sins relying that he will repent, and repents and sins again (and thus he sins too much and repents too much); the one who sins relying upon the forgiveness of the day of atonement; and the one who instigates others to sin; and the one who is guilty of profaning the Holy Name. And were it not for the sins of mankind, the keys to the mysteries would have been entrusted to man, and he would know by what means Earth and Heaven were created and also what there is above.

Rabbi Akiva used to say: ‘Everything is foreseen and unconcealed, and everything is according to one’s understanding.’ He also used to say that everything was given as a pledge, and a net is spread out for all living, and so forth. The repentance of the wicked delays the execution of their judgment; their verdict, however, remains sealed until they make restitution. The quietness of the wicked (without having remorse) ends badly. Superiority buries its claimers. […]”