Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 3/17/2017, 5:02 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos (5;10) continues in describing a second type of philosophy in which a person says "what is mine is yours and what is yours is mine".The Mishna refers to this type of person as an Am HaRetz (loosely translated as a "person of the land").
Some commentators understand that the Mishna doesn't view this person in a negative light rather his worldview is one in which everyone should be working together for the betterment and development of the land/world, devoid of self interest. This might be similar to a socialist type philosophy in which nothing really belongs to anyone and everyone has their needs taken care of.
The majority of commentators though, understand the Mishna to be referring to the Am HaRetz in the more literal usage in which it refers to a person devoid of sound reasoning or lacking intelligence. This person believes everything belongs to everyone and their isn't anything that I can't have and take. On a deeper level the Meiri explains that this worldview is really driven by a person's desire to take that which belongs to his friend. This person believes that "the grass is always greener on the other side" he therefore wants the opportunity to be able to freely take that which is his friends, "what is yours is mine". Since he likewise feels that he always has the short end he has no problem saying as well that "what is mine is yours".
May we always realize that what we have is the best for us and there is no such thing as "the grass being greener on the other side". Although life is filled with trials and tribulations for everyone we should strengthen our belief and realize no matter what the situation is there is always something to be thankful for.