Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 10/14/2016, 3:49 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos says (4;15) "R'Matisya ben Cheresh says, one should be the tail of the lion and not the head of the fox".
Some commentators explain that this refers to Torah Scholarship. The Mishna is encouraging people to strive for closeness to the Torah Lions (the great scholars) even if it means being on a low level in their company as opposed being on a high level, the "head of the fox" among inferior scholars.
But I think this can be understood on an ethical level as well. A lion represents strength and as our Sages teach us "Who is strong? He that overcomes his desires". So a lion represents a person who is able to overcome their desires. Whereas a fox represents a certain level of cunning and dishonesty. The Mishna is therefore telling us to be honest and upright as a lion that overcomes desires (for money or gain) even if it means only being the "tail", than becoming wealthy and prestigious "the head" through the cunning and dishonesty of the fox.