TWO NEW BOOKS ON LIVING, LOVING AND PURSUING PEACE: RABBI ARTHUR SEGAL

LOVE PEACE AND PURSUE PEACE:

A MODERN COMMENTARY ON TALMUD TRACTATES DEREK ERETZ ZUTA AND RABBAH: VOL. 2

LOVE PEACE AND PURSUE PEACE: A MODERN COMMENTARY ON TALMUD TRACTATES DEREK ERETZ ZUTA AND RABBAH: VOL. 2 | Jewish Spiritual Ren

LOVE PEACE AND PURSUE PEACE: A MODERN COMMENTARY ON TALMUD TRACTATES DEREK ERETZ ZUTA AND RABBAH: VOL. 2

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Being a fine human being (in Yiddish, a mensch) is fundamental to living anything learned through the study of Torah or Talmud. If we do not develop derek eretz – decent, polite, respectful, thoughtful, and civilized behavior – we are missing the point about what it means to be a Jew, or a good person in any religion.

"With what is he to be compared who possesses more knowledge than good deeds? With a tree of many branches and but few roots. A storm comes and plucks it up and turns it over…. But what does he resemble who can show more good deeds than learning? A tree of few branches and many roots. Even should all the winds of heaven rage against it, they could not move it from its place. – Rabbi Eleazar ben Azariah (First century C.E., Palestine)"

Derek Eretz literally means 'the way of the land.' In Aramaic, zuta means small, and rabbah means large, but this is simply another way to express the concept 'part one' and 'part two'. Both Tractates are actually about the same size, and are equally important.

Derek Eretz is not about Jewish ritual, but is primarily concerned with how we treat one another, and the traits of character, middot, we should try to develop. The lessons are universal and ecumenical. The development of good character traits and transformation through Jewish spiritual renewal is called mussar. "Derek eretz comes before Torah" (Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 9:3). One cannot personify Torah until he demonstrates derek eretz in all that he does.

Beresheit, Genesis, tells us that "In the beginning, God created…". One may infer that God created only the beginning. How we humans choose to treat our fellows and the planet is up to each of us to decide, as God created us with bechira, free will. We can choose to live our lives with derek eretz, or we can allow our yetzer ha ra, the evil inclination, to lead us.

The last chapter of this book is called the "Chapter on Peace." It is so important in Judaism that the Talmudic Rabbis wanted to make this its own Tractate of Talmud. Peace is so important in Judaism that one of God's Holy names is "Shalom." Derek Eretz Zuta teaches us to "love peace and pursue peace" in all of our actions and relationships.

Many published editions of Talmud do not contain the Tractates of Derek Eretz, which were composed 1500–2000 years ago. The first time they were printed with other Tractates of Talmud was in the third Venetian edition (1546-1551). Because they were not compiled and edited until after the Talmud Bavli was closed (ca. 500 C.E.) they are considered 'minor' Tractates, mashechtot qutanot, along with Avot of Rabbi Natan and a few others. Derek Eretz appears in Seder Nezikin (Damages) after Tractate Avodah Zarah (Strange Worship) and Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers).

In my years as a teacher and rabbinic counselor, I have seen my talmidim (students) transform their lives through the study and practice of Derek Eretz. May you enjoy the learning process and come to shalom.

Many blessings,

Rabbi Dr. Arthur Segal

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THE PATH AND WISDOM FOR LIVING AT PEACE WITH OTHERS: A MODERN COMMENTARY ON TALMUD TRACTATES DEREK ERETZ ZUTA AND RABBAH: VOL. 1

THE PATH AND WISDOM FOR LIVING AT PEACE WITH OTHERS: A MODERN COMMENTARY ON TALMUD TRACTATES DEREK ERETZ ZUTA AND RABBAH: VOL.

The Talmudic Tractates of Derek Eretz Zuta and Rabbah, (aka Derech Eretz Zuta, aka Derech Eretz Rabbah; Zuta is Aramaic for 'small', and Rabbah is 'large') are fascinating texts, many times over looked. The term derek eretz, literally means "the way of the land". The Tractates teach us how to behave so that we get along with others, even difficult people. The texts teach us how to limit our egos with dealing with others so that we do not step on the toes of others inviting retaliation.

"Derek eretz comes before Torah" (Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 9:3) – one cannot personify Torah until he demonstrates derek eretz in everything that he does.

Remember that Derek Eretz is not about Jewish ritual. It is about how we are to treat one another and what traits of character, middot, we are to try to develop. The lessons are universal and ecumenical. The development of character traits and Jewish spiritual renewal transformation is called Mussar. Derek Eretz teaches us decent, polite, respectful, thoughtful, and civilized behavior.

For the first time since these two Talmudic Tractates were written circa 1500 to 2000 years ago, a modern commentary has been written. We can see today in the media, on the streets, and even in our own Oneg Shabbats and synagogue board rooms, that proper decorum is sorely lacking.

Here are two of the many important maxims in these two Tractates:

"If others speak evil of you let the greatest thing seem unimportant in your eyes; but if you have spoken evil of others, let the least word seem important."

"If you have done much good let it seem little in your eyes, and say: 'Not of my own have I done this, but of that good which has come to me through others'; but let a small kindness done to you appear great."

The chapter on Shalom is one of the entire Talmud's most joyous and hopeful to read. A sampling: "Seek peace, and pursue it," which means, seek peace at the place where you are, and if you do not find it, seek it in other places."

Rabbi Arthur Segal has dissected the verses in Talmud Bavli Tractates Derek Eretz Zuta and Rabbah, into an easy to read, easy to follow, four volume text, so that one can actually put this knowledge into every day practice use.

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Rabbi Arthur Segal

Saturday, April 21, 2012