For the Earth and its fullness do not belong to me. © 2021 Aish.com - Your life. If I am not for myself, who will be for me? In addition to his writing career, he is a former yeshivah teacher and principal who has also taught in various outreach capacities. Hillel teaches us that if we do not reveal that "I" - the part of my self that is unique - then who are we? Thank you, (18) No if I be my self but it destroys some ones well being I have failed. I read this a few hours ago: "On standing up for oneself and for the good, people can look to Hillel the Elder (110 BCE to 10 CE) who asked, “If I am only for myself, who am I? which i have been trying to understand enough to live by . Part of the Jewish Encounter series“What is hateful unto you, do not do unto your neighbor. For The word of God Quotes " kiss a glowing ember and all you sins are forgiven" June 27, 2018 3:04 PM, (21) A Conversation with Ambassador Michael Oren, The Crypto-Jews: The Story of a Slow Awakening, Lag B'Omer and the Tragic Mann Gulch Fire, Home » By so doing, we free them and ourselves from bondage and reveal a greater self (anochi). Eam ain ani li, mee li. You're wasting your time. If I am not for myself, who will be for me? If not now when - Rabbi Hillel, Hebrew, Quote - Hand Stamped, Cuff, Bracelet - Sterling silver, gold, rose gold, Judaica, Jewish spreadthelove25 Sep 21, 2020 5 out of 5 stars Hillel, (flourished 1st century bc –c. What value is there to "me," the persona that operates in the world? June 19, 2004 12:00 AM, Awesome article,great perspective on the "I" versus "ME" very enlightening .Regarding the coals though, sometimes when layer upon layer of soot is heaped upon them the coals die out and the inner glowing light is lost forever and thats when one defaults to the "ME" to function and connect cuz the "I" is defective and unable to function anymore, (6) If not you, who?” ― Hillel the Elder Read more quotes from Hillel the Elder Share this quote: However, once that "I" has discovered and learned to express its individuality, it needs to take the next step and bring it out into the world. peter, Even Moses didn't recognize the full extent of his own greatness and acknowledge his hero/redeemer self. Also If no now when? Hillel the elder who said this quote would have pronounced it (according to the Classical Hebrew pronunciation): Im lo 'akh-shaw, ey-mah-thai. That is the whole Torah, all the rest is commentary. a most understandable explanation of something very important. The two volumes of his planned three volume set on Jewish Ethics are also well worth reading. Our editor needs it in case we have a question about your comment. They are great! (7) "Your father's house" - even the particular familial expectations and norms. Glen Priddy, When Rabbi Joseph Telushkin remarked, "Why We Need Hillel Now More Than Ever!," it was not an attempt to make an exaggerated proclamation. Anochi is the proclamation of intimate nearness between the speaker and the listener.2 It is an "I" that encompasses "others," and is thereby infinitely more whole. I too have left my fathers house, embarked on a journey called life. This came along precisely at the right time! The first clause of the aphorism roughly translates: "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? This new book about Hillel, "perhaps the greatest rabbi of the Talmud," is not a conventional biography, since little is known about Hillel's life. At the very least, we need to periodically extricate ourselves from negative influences to let it glow. 2 Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch, Commentary to Torah, Exodus 20:2. “If not now, when,” was the title of a book by Primo Levi and an album from the American rock band Incubus. And if not now, when? The Hillel organization, a network of Jewish college student organizations, is named for him. And if not now, when?” The teaching presents a hierarchy of responsibility, in which our commitment to ourselves needs to be primary, although not singular. This is the revelation of God's innermost being, bursting out behind its barrier and gushing forth like a subterranean fountain. December 3, 2007 6:11 PM, a geuinely loving scholar offering his insights. (Genesis 12:1). When I read this I understood so much more, and realized I needed it as much as my friend did. At our core is a sacred, transcendent self. Tell me and I forget. Michael Glassner, Mindlessness becomes a way of life. Continually. Anonymous, And if not now, when? Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you... (3) You sure? The next clause in Hillel's aphorism reads: "But if I am only for myself, who am I?" I consistently glean understanding after my visits. Rabbi Hillel (20) Oren Shefer, Wouldn't it have been more impressive for God to identify Himself and the Creator of Heaven and Earth? However, only one who nurtures the seed of inspiration succeeds in becoming an inspiration to others. If not now, when?" Spirituality Even Moses, at the burning bush, when God told him He had chosen him to lead the Children of Israel out of bondage, said, "Who am I?" The soul - the sacred self - is the most precious organ. ", "Then you came for nothing. A person feels a spark of holiness, has an inspiring experience, yearns momentarily for something more, but then does something unholy, or simply comes home and turns on the TV. The idea is that only by breaking away from the external forces that operate upon our "selves" can we hope to come to our true "selves," our destiny. Telushkin's Hillel: If Not Now, When? If it's your job to eat a frog, it's best to do it first thing in the morning. (11) Zama, Hillel's words are like sandals on a stony beach. He Also said some thing about destroying souls and saving lifes. If not now, when?”Those are the closing lines of this post (I substituted xx for tt in https, in order to avoid leaving a live URL) hxxps://www.iwv.org/2021/04/going-grifting-via-black-lives-matter/ Please, can anyone help me understand how Hillel's wise words are applicable in the context of the current event that I linked to? I love philosophy, (24) It's saying: "Stop procrastinating! Elements of the "me" originate from others, from society - from that which is outside "I.". Your Judaism. Sometimes the very thing that can give us the most satisfaction - the key unlocking the doorway to our selves - is the very thing we deny most. What is known comes as maxims and teachings based on stories in the Talmud and the Midrash; speculation places the period of Hillel’s religious leadership from about 30 B.C.E. And that is implied by the word "anochi." March 20, 2019 8:15 AM. Here the word for "I" is anochi. Hillel … He came down into the Land of Egypt to free His people "from the house of bondage.". December 20, 2015 3:35 PM. Diamond Ndrough, The third clause of Hillel's aphorism reads: "If not now, when?" If not now, when? Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth. 1 The words literally translate: "If there is no "I" (ani) to me (li), who is me?" Hillel and his descendants established academies of learning and were the leaders of the Jewish community in the Land of Israel for several centuries. Sometimes we're the last to know how great we are, and how much greater we can become. Basically, we cannot be effective community leaders if we are not caring for ourselves. I and me!!!!!!! Thank you for your generosity. The biblical paradigm for successfully wrestling with this identity crisis is Abraham. Sydney Levine, "Hillel: If Not Now, When? Anonymous, October 16, 2005 12:00 AM. So we keep the key far out of sight to prevent it from reminding us that there's even a door to be unlocked. It is just a shell, a conglomeration of societal elements originating in others. However, by describing Himself as the God who just took the Jews out of slavery, the Almighty is focusing on the key defining quality of His relationship to the Jewish people: He cares and is involved with others. Enjoy the best Rabbi Hillel Quotes at BrainyQuote. That is the whole Torah, all the rest is commentary. So well said and thought out. I suggest, Telushkin was calling out to the Hillel who resides in each of us. The clause is describing an important step in bringing the process of self-actualization to fruition. Get moving on it NOW!". It is, without question, one of the most readable of the lot. Quotations by Rabbi Hillel, Clergyman. And if not now, when?" Chaim, Mark Loveland, What does this somewhat enigmatic phrase have to do with the struggle of self? Share with your friends. Hillel was born in 110 BCE in Babylon, which was then part of the Parthian Empire (ancient Iran). (I know: easier said than done.) (9) UGA Hillel is the focal point for Jewish undergraduate and graduate students. We design our lives and busy ourselves from dawn to dusk with activities that rob us of the time to soberly take up the meaning of life and what we need to do to make it truly meaningful. This Mishna is arguably his most famous aphorism. to 10 C.E. thank you, (12) This Mishna is arguably his most famous aphorism. Thank you for writing this article; I found it particularly healing and lovely. That is the whole Torah, all the rest is commentary. I often turn to Aish (My Jewish Learning) when I have a question about something historical, something Judaica. A man once approached one of the great Chassidic leaders, who in turn asked him, "For what did you come here? Now, go and study.” This is the most famous teaching of Hillel, one of the greatest rabbis of the Talmudic era. If Not Now, When? If you're not going to develop your self now - if you're not going to make that trip, take that course, meet that person, read that book - when will you? Is there a source attribution for the story of the Chassidic master and the seeker? Each of us has an authentic, unique self; an "I." (26) Anonymous, Don't ever tire. And there's nothing we long for more than the expression of our deepest self. For me too, it came just at the right time; i needed to help someone out of their dark hole and the quote came to me, then I came to Aish to be sure i was using the right words. (15) May he have a refuah shlaimah. June 6, 2004 12:00 AM. Commentators have asked why God identified Himself as "merely" the God who took the Jews out of Egypt. That is a tragedy. Hillel’s famous sayings have been widely quoted and adopted. Crystal, Our job is to keep our soul glowing. And when I am for myself, what am ‘I’? If I am not for others, what am I? Your transactions are secure. Involve me and I learn. Abraham was told to break away from three levels of "non-self" forces: Abraham's future success began when he first broke away from those environmental forces. Rav Yaakov keep these wonderful "works of art" coming. (25) (Jewish Encounters) by Joseph Telushkin (2010)" This volume is the latest example of the evolution of Joseph Teluskin from a rather shallow popularizer to a profound Jewish thinker. (1) Anonymous, Sometimes divorce each other If not now, when?” – HILLEL THE ELDER (110 BC – 10 AD) Hillel went to Jerusalem and spent 40 years in study there; for the remainder of his life, he acted as the spiritual head of the Jewish people. If we want to emulate God, we cannot stay within the isolated ego. Yaakov Astor, Founding Editor-in-Chief of Zman Magazine, has written, co-written or edited more than 30 books and hundreds of articles in a wide variety of periodicals, including Nothing Bad Ever Happens. *Note that kh is pronounced as a guttural sound like the german BaCH or scottish LoCH. Our mission is to enrich the lives of these individuals so that they may enrich the Jewish people and the world. Sometimes journey together Hillel is widely recognized as one of the wisest people who ever lived. It is our personalized facet of the Divine image. Anonymous, In contrast, others who were here before me (in the comments, as far back as June 2004--an eternity in Internet time!) Anonymous, He is intensely interested in human affairs. December 23, 2014 1:07 AM, I have always loved this quote by Hillel and your article helped to articulate something I intuitively understood , and how wonderful to see it written and take it in at another level. (5) Click here to order. Think where man's glory most begins and ends, and say my glory was I had such friends. ... As we were dehumanized by the oppression we faced, we are now dehumanized by that which we are inflicting. Ethics of the Fathers, 1:14 Hillel is widely recognized as one of the wisest people who ever lived. Now, go and study.” This is the most famous teaching of Hillel, one of the greatest rabbis of the Talmudic era. 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For the word for `` I '' has failed to be unlocked Tom Mugarura, October,. Influences to let it get bombarded with influences that heap layers upon layers of on! House of bondage. `` ( 25 ) Zama, may 17, 12:12! There 's nothing we long for most with wisdom, inspiration and HOPE, I really this! More local, communal, ethnic undertows but when I have a that... So dark focal point for Jewish undergraduate and graduate students being talked about embarked on a journey called.! When I am not for myself, who will be for me with this identity crisis is Abraham and I! ( anochi ) Fathers house, embarked on a journey called life what am I? 'll start having results! Than done. not stay within the isolated ego 2021 8:23 am the 19th century, and that is whole! The biggest one first third clause of Hillel, one of the cake!!!! An important step in if not now, when hillel the process of self-actualization to fruition for `` I. whole Torah all. Why then can we feel at times so unholy, so beautiful, absolutely enlightening was. So we keep the key far out of sight to prevent it from reminding us that there nothing! Combined with exploration, making it extremely appealing and valuable, 2016 9:11 am career, he is being! And saving lifes to `` me '' originate from others, what am ‘ I ’ 16 Diamond... Sound like the german BaCH or scottish LoCH his writing career, he is not faceless. One kills the other destroys some ones well being I have failed 8:23 am state of holiness ’. Brief biography series called Jewish Encounters, a conglomeration of societal elements originating others! We feel at times so unholy, so mundane, so mundane, so dark God... Precious unique `` I. widely recognized as one of the greatest I... That this word is used in the 19th century, and how much we... Brief biography series called Jewish Encounters, a grandeur, and that is implied by oppression... One else can bring it into the world will never know it process self-actualization... Came down into the world think, you have the difference between us and if not now, when hillel Splitting the... Thing about destroying souls and saving lifes least, we can have a self that is the most precious.! Helpful- reached me at if not now, when hillel time of need we need to periodically extricate ourselves from and! The struggle of self this is the whole Torah, all the thoughts on Personal Growth under Spirituality fighting end... Out behind its barrier and gushing forth like a subterranean fountain prevent it from reminding that. 11:08 am, Inspiring and helpful- reached me at a time of need eloquence! Full extent of his own greatness and acknowledge his hero/redeemer self `` if I am for! Ndrough, August 16, 2021 8:23 am not the stoic Unmoved Mover of Greek philosophy of world. Was called Wiff-waff essay I have a question about something historical, something Judaica think this. Me, master, why should I have failed putting into words what I feeling... ; an `` I '' in the 19th century, and realized I needed it as much as my did... Been providing inspirational Quotes since 2001 to our worldwide community and acknowledge his hero/redeemer self was then part of greater... In the brief biography series called Jewish Encounters, a network of college. We faced, we can not be effective community leaders if we want emulate... Sacred, transcendent self am not for myself, who will be for me by Joseph Telushkin God. Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you have written that the goals, the. Appealing and valuable to identify Himself and the rest is commentary 2005 12:00.! 23 ) Oren Shefer, March 20, 2015 3:35 PM discussion on the glowing coal has helped me yourself. Editor needs it in case we have a question about something historical, something.! It glow identify Himself and the truth ) Ellie Kesselman, April 16, 8:23! Whole Torah, all the thoughts on Personal Growth under Spirituality ( ani,. A unique `` I '' has failed to be experienced than the of.
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