In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)

Adapted from Mussar Avos:

The Mishna says " in a place where there are no men (people), try to be the man".

Midrash Shmuel explains that many times a person is alone or in a place where there is nobody else. In these instances he may have a desire to do things that he would normally not do with the rationale that there are no people here that see me, I am alone. The Mishna is telling us in these cases a person should strive to be the man, thus preventing him from transgressing.

Another way to interpret this is that in many cases we see a need for something to be done or said. Someone in the community may be in need, there may be some issue/person that needs to be defended, or some problem that needs to be solved. How should we respond? A person should be willing to help but should take the approach of being humble and not to jump into the forefront. If he sees that in fact nobody is taking care of the problem, nobody is stepping up to be the man then he should strive in these situations to be the man. He should take the initiative and lead the fight.

Shabbat Shalom,

Heath

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