Following in the footsteps of Avot?

Here’s a tale from the mid-1980s, before I first became interested in Pirkei Avot.

I can’t remember how long ago I first encountered Rabbi Avigdor Miller’s then-popular “10 steps to Greatness”—but I do remember thinking at the time that the idea was somehow better than the execution and that, based on my own intuition, I would not have come up with the same list. I later got together with a learning partner and we decided that we would each compile our own lists and see how they came out.  Although my chavruta and I came from similar backgrounds, mostly shared the same views and had enjoyed similar educational experiences, we were surprised to discover that our own personal “10 steps” lists differed not only from R’ Miller’s but from each other’s. At the time I concluded that there must be more than one path to greatness and that every individual’s path depends on who they are, where they come from and where they plan to go.

I had quite forgotten about this episode until, a few days ago, I came across a reference to R’ Miller’s prescription for greatness. Medicinal prescriptions can expire, so I asked myself whether this list was still current—or had it been overtaken by events or superseded by other formulae for success in the art of being great? It then occurred to me that, to at least some extent, all 10 steps are matched or foreshadowed by a teaching from Avot.

For the record, R’ Miller’s list goes like this, with my references to Avot added:

1. Spend 30 seconds thinking of Olam Haba and that we are in this world only as a preparation for the world to come [Avot 4:21: per R’ Yaakov: this world is just a lobby before the next, so prepare yourself here].
   
   
2. Say at least once (in private) "I love you Hashem". (You will be fulfilling a positive commandment from the Torah [Avot 6:1 and 6:6 proclaim the benefits of loving God]. This will kindle a fire in your heart and will have a powerful effect on your character. Your exteriority bestirs your interiority. Hashem is listening. He loves you much more than you love him [Avot 3:13: per R’ Chanina ben Dosa: if others love you, God will do so too—apparently whether you love Him or not].
   
   
3. Do one hidden act of chesed, that no one, other than Hashem, knows about [Avot 6:1 praises the status of a tzanua, someone who is discreet]. (Have intention beforehand that you are doing this in order to fulfil your program to greatness. The practice of doing acts of kindliness - Gemilut Hasadim - is one of the three most important functions in the world [alluding directly to Avot 1:2].
   
   
4. Be like Hashem who lifts the humble, say something to encourage someone [encouraging others is being a good friend: R’ Yehoshua ben Chananya, Avot 2:13].
   
   
5. Spend 1 minute about what happened yesterday (cheshbon hanefesh) [cheshbon hanefesh lies at the core of both Avot 3:1 and 4:29]. Everyone should have his mind on what he is doing - by reviewing yesterday's actions daily.
   
   
6. Your actions should be l'shem shamayim (say once during meals) [well, actually ALL one’s actions should be for the sake of Heaven, per R’ Yose HaKohen, Avot 2:17].
   
   
7. Look into someone's face and think - I'm seeing a tzelem Elokim ("image" of God). Be aware of the principle: "Man was created in the image of Hashem." Every human face is a reflection of Hashem [R’ Akiva says this at Avot 318]. Your face is like a screen and your soul like a projector which projects on your face the glory of the human soul, which has in it the greatness of Hashem. Once a day pick a face and think: "I am seeing the image of Hashem." You will begin to understand the endless nobility of a face.
   
   
8. Just like Hashem's face shines on us, give someone a big smile [Shammai’s prescription for greeting everyone: Avot 1:15]. Smile because Hashem wants you to, even though you really don't want to. When you smile have intentions that you are doing it for the purpose of coming closer to Hashem through the Ten Steps To Greatness.
   
   
9. When saying "malbish arumim", think about the great gift of garments, i.e. pockets, buttons, shoelaces, etc. Clothing is a testament to the nobility of man. He is unique: man has free will, has a soul, and is made in the image of Hashem. Even Angels are beneath man in greatness. To demonstrate the superiority of mankind, we must be clothed. Say "Malbish Arumin" (He clothes the naked) out loud [According to several commentaries, Avot 5:8, which lists “tongs made with tongs” as being made by God just before the onset of Shabbat, actually refers to God’s gift of human creativity, enabling invention and creation of what they need. This would include their clothing—right down to their buttons].
   
   
10. Sit on floor and think of loss of Yerushalayim (privately, 1 second) [at Avot 5:24 we remember the loss of Jerusalem’s most special feature, the Temple, and call for its restoration].

I’d love to know when R’ Miller’s list was first published, and what were the circumstances that inspired or provoked its publication. Can anyone help?

It would also be good to know if readers have their own lists, which we can compare with the original. What, in your opinion, has R’ Miller omitted? And what has he listed that you would argue, should be substituted by another item? Do share your thoughts with us, please!

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