Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak Ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 3/10/2017, 3:59 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
This Mishna in Avos (5;11) says that there are four "types" of people one of them says what is mine is mine and what is yours is yours this is a person that is average, some say that this person is following in the ways of Sodom.
Midrash Shmuel says that these two opinions are in agreement they are just referring to two different types of people.
The first type of person doesn't want to receive gifts or use things that don't belong to him, even he is offered gifts he refuses. This isn't a bad trait but in order to reinforce this practice he also doesn't give to others from what he has. He says what is yours is yours and what is mine is mine. Obviously by not helping out others and giving of his own he misses out on numerous opportunities for mitzvoth but this doesn't make him a wicked person but at the same time he is not righteous. His motivation is positive as he doesn't want to benefit from something in the world which is not his. He is therefore considered average.
The second opinion, which refers to this lifestyle as following in the ways Sodom (clearly negative), refers to a person who is motivated by the desire not to give or help others from his own time or money. For this person, the main objective is "what is mine is mine". Obviously he doesn't want to look like a wicked person so he also refrains from taking from others by saying what is yours is yours. But his motivation is negative as he simply doesn't want to give and help others. In order to justify his practice he doesn't take from others either, although in reality he has no issue with receiving from other people.
May we always be able and willing to give and help our fellow Jews.