ALL ISRAEL HAVE A SHARE IN THE WORLD TO COME, AS IT IS STATED:[1]
"And your people are all righteous; they shall inherit the Land
forever. [They are] the branch of My planting, the work of My
hands in which to take pride." [2]

Chapter Four
page 1

1. Ben Zoma says: Who is wise? He who learns from every person as
   it is stated: (1) "From all those who have taught me, I have gained
   wisdom, for Your testimonies are my conversation."

   Who is mighty? He who subdues his inclination, as it is stated: (2)
   "A patient person is better than the strong man, and he who masters
   his spirit is better than one who conquers a city."

   Who is rich? He who is happy with his portion, as it is stated: (3)
   "When you eat of the labor of your hands, you will be happy, and it
   will be good for you." "You will be happy" - in this world; "it
   will be good for you" -  in the World to Come.

   Who is honored? He who honors others, as it is stated: (4)
   "I will honor those who honor Me, and those who despise Me will
   be degraded."

---------------------------------------------------------------------
"Who is wise? He who learns from every person"

A wise man has the potential to see another person's weaknesses.
Thus it would be natural for him to look down on others who are less
developed than he with a condescending attitude.

One who is truly wise, however, focuses his attention on the positive
dimensions which every person possesses within his character.

And he will surely be able to discover such positive traits, for every
man was created "in the image of G-d." (5)

By opening himself to learn from the virtues of others, a wise man
further enhances his wisdom.

"Who is mighty?"

Might is something different from physical strength.
It refers to the potential to summon up inner resources of energy.

"He who subdues his inclination"

The intent is not merely one's evil inclination, the Yetzer Hora,
but rather all of one's natural inclinations.

When a person masters his natural tendencies, he expresses true power.

For to restrain the expression of a potential, it is necessary to
summon up deeper resources of inner strength.

"Who is rich? He who is happy with his portion"

The tendency of the wealthy is to seek to increase their assets, as
our Sages commented, (6) "A person who possesses one hundred, desires
two hundred; one who possesses two hundred, desires four hundred."

One who is truly wealthy is one who does not become possessed by these
desires, but rather has inner peace and calm.

He need not, however, ignore the desire for wealth entirely.

On the contrary, because the person is at peace with himself, he is
in a far more capable position to take advantage of the opportunities
which present themselves to him and achieve success in the world at
large.

(Based on Sichos Shabbos Parshas Korach and Parshas Balak, 5740)

"When you eat of the labor of you hands..."

The proof text complements the teachings of our Sages, highlighting
the idea that one's work must be "the labor of your hands."

A person's heart and mind, by contrast, should be directed towards
seeking spiritual fulfillment, rather than earning a livelihood.
And it promises that the outcome of such an approach will be:

"You will be happy - in this world"

And, by contrast, over-involvement in one's business may bring
one success, but not happiness.

Happiness comes from the inner fulfillment a person feels when
motivated by spiritual purpose.

(Based on Likkutei Sichos, Vol. I, p. 62)

"Who is honored? He who honors others"

On the surface, the natural tendency of a person worthy of honor
is remain aloof from those on a lower level.

Moreover, the Hebrew word, Beriyot translated as "others," literally
means "creations" and refers to (7) individuals who ostensibly have
no redeeming virtue other than the fact that they are G-d's creations.

How and why would an honorable man give honor to such people?

The prooftext provides the answer:

"I will honor those who honor Me,"

G-d is the epitome of honor and yet He gives honor to His creations,
for they all exist to increase His glory, as it is stated, (8)

"Everything which the Holy One, blessed be He, created in this world,
He created solely for His glory."

Just as G-d appreciates the positive virtue possessed by every created
being, and for that reason grants it honor, so too, a human should
honor others, aware that in actual fact or at the very least, in
potential, they possess virtues and achievement s which are worthy of
honor.

"And those who despise Me will be degraded."

It is difficult to understand why this portion of the prooftext
was included in the Mishnah. What does it add?

It can be explained that when a person fails to honor a colleague,
he is in effect, showing disrespect to G-d.

To cite a narrative: (9) R. Eliezar b"R. Shimon once insulted
a person whose appearance belied the possession of any virtues.

The person replied, "Go to the Craftsman who created me."

In that context, it can be explained that the teaching of the verse,

"and those who despise Me will be degraded," is not a punishment; it
is a tendency which G-d has ingrained into the fabric of nature.

When a person cannot appreciate the positive potentials possessed by
others, his colleagues will also fail to appreciate the virtues which
he possesses.

(Adapted from Sichos Shabbos Parshas Korach and Parshas Balak, 5740)


                               -------------

Footnotes:

1.  Tehillim 119:99.
2.  Mishlei 16:32.
3.  Tehillim 128:2.
4.  I Shmuel 2:30.
5.  Bereishis 1:27.
6.  Koheles Rabbah 1:34.
7.  See ch. 1, mishnah 12, as explained in Tanya, ch. 32.
8.  Avos, the conclusion of ch. 6.
9.  Taanis 20b.


*****************************************************************