| The Torah Connection: Pirkei Avot: Chapter 4:20 |
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| Written by Rabbi Yaakov Shlomo Weinberg |
 “Initiate a greeting to every person …” I’ve often wondered about people who even when greeted don’t return the greeting, or smile, or even nod their head.
The Chofetz Chaim When the Chofetz Chaim was forced to seek refuge (far from Radin – his hometown) during World War I, he continued to greet every person he met, whether he knew them or not, and was invariably the first to say “Good Shabbos” when he met another Jew. When people asked him why he was so strict in this matter, he expressed surprise that anyone could be so lacking in common courtesy not to recognize the importance of doing so.
Leaders and Followers “Be a tail to lions rather than a head to foxes.” This is how the “world” translates the above ma’amar. However, it is not what the ma’amar says. It does not say, “Tov lihyos …milihyos” which would then indeed translate into “it is better than.” It rather says, “v’al tehi,” do not be – in any manner, shape or form.
We once translated (tongue in cheek) “ben sorair umoreh” (a wayward and rebellious son) as wayward and a teacher, meaning that others learn from him. If one has his own wayward problems it’s bad enough. Nevertheless, there is still hope that he might outgrow his problems in the future. However, once he starts having influence on others, becoming a leader and guide for them, action must be taken.
A follower is responsible only for himself. A leader is responsible for all those who follow. This can be a very good thing if the leader is righteous and a very bad thing if he is otherwise. Their influence can last for generations.
The Foxes “Seize … the foxes, the small foxes that ruin the vineyards …” The vineyard refers to Israel. “The vineyard of Hashem … is the House of Israel …” The small foxes are the various cults and isms in numerous generations that have ruined parts of the vineyard
The Lion and the Fox The Mishnah is, therefore, telling us that, if need be, someone should at least be the tail of the lion – one who follows the chachamim and the cream of the Jewish people. The tail of the lion is also part of the lion. However, even if one finds himself to be one of the foxes he should in no way be from the leaders of the foxes who carry the guilt of their followers on their shoulders.
1 Avos 4:20 2 The Rosh Yeshivah (Horav Shach) Remembers p. 156-7 3 Avos ibid 4 Deuteronomy 21:21 5 From the word hora’ah 6 Shir Hashirim 2:15 7 Isaiah 5:7
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