Your Actions Will Bring You Close

Eduyot (5:7) | Yisrael Bankier | 4 days ago

The end of the fifth perek of masechet Eduyot (5:7) describes the final moments in the life of Akavya ben Mehalalel. The first thing mentioned, is that he instructed his son to follow the rulings of the Chachamam, which conflicted with his own opinion. He explained to his son that he maintained his position since he learnt the laws as the majority opinion. Now, however, since they Chachamim were the majority, his son must adopt their position.

The Mishnah then continues that his son requested that Akavya ben Mehalalel instruct his peers to bring him close. Akavya ben Mahalalel however denied the request. When queried whether this meant that he found something wrong with his son, Akavya responded that "it is your actions that will be bring you close, and your actions will distance you."

The Meiri explains that the son was concerned that since Akavya ben Mehalalel had several points of disagreements with the Chachamim, it would impact his relationship with the Chachamim. Akavya however was not concerned that his disagreements harmed their relationship.

The Meiri however understands the continuation of the Mishnah differently to how it was explained above. When the Mishnah continues with the question, "did you find a flaw in me", the Meiri understands that *Akavya []{dir="rtl"}*posed that question to his son. In other words, Akavya maintained his position in the various disputes since what he learnt was the majority opinion and it was therefore justified for him to maintain that position. Since there was no deficiency in doing so, his son had no reason to be concerned of an issue that would distance him. That being the case, Akavya assured him that it would ultimately be his actions that would affect his standing.

Which "actions" would affect his standing? Academic achievement? Piercing novella? Breadth of knowledge? The Meiri explains that it is how he would relate to them -- "treat them with respect and awe." Kavod and yirah, how he would treat other, are attributes that earn respect.

The Tifferet Yisrael however asks why Akavya ben Mehalalel nevertheless denied his son's request. What would hurt if slipped in a recommendation? The Tifferet Yisrael explains that there is what to lose if one is not respected solely because if his actions. Akavya was concerned that the Chachamim's attitude to his son would only be because of his actions. The reason is that their attitude to him would serve to regulate his behaviour. Good behaviour would effectively be rewarded through recognition. If however, the son would not behave appropriately, Akavya wanted the Chachamim to respond with disdain so that his son would feel the importance of righteous behaviour. Akavya ben Mahalalel understood the importance of a religious environment, but not just immersion. The environment would also need to be critical of negative behaviour and reward admirable conduct to ensure growth within it. Had his son's standing been established solely due to his father's recommendation, he would have lacked this critical catalyst for growth.

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