“Since I first ran for State
Representative 20 years ago, I’ve been called to serve because I want to leave
our community, our Commonwealth, and our country better off for our children—and
because my faith teaches me that no one is required to complete the task, but
neither are we free to refrain from it”.
This a reference to Rabbi Tarfon’s famous quote, “It is not
your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it” (Avot
2:21). Ben Sales, writing for the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, explains that this
apothegm is
“…generally taken as a
reassurance to those facing monumental or seemingly unreachable goals. It has
become a mainstay of Jewish activist circles across the political spectrum”.
Indeed, as Avot Today has previously noted, it seems to be
quoted more frequently by politicians and public figures than by rabbis.
A week,observed one-time British Prime Minister Harold Wilson, is a long time in politics. Readers with long memories may recall, however, that Josh Shapiro cited the same mishnah from Avot nearly two years ago, on the occasion of his gubernatorial victory over Doug Mastriano (see Avot Today, here).
Avot Today is of course delighted at Governor Shapiro’s
enthusiasm for this fascinating tractate—and we look forward to more of the
same—but somehow we doubt that we shall hear him quoting two other great
teachers from Avot. One is Shemaya (“Don’t make yourself known to the government”:
Avot 1:10). The other is Rabban Gamliel ben Rebbi (“Beware of rulers, for they
befriend a person only for their benefit; they act friendly when it befits
them, but they do not stand by someone in their time of need”: Avot 2:3).
