Talmud Bavli
Talmud Bavli

Commentary for Avodah Zarah 10:3

א"ר יוחנן משום רבי בנאה מאי דכתיב (ישעיהו לב, כ) אשריכם זורעי על כל מים משלחי רגל השור והחמור אשריהם ישראל בזמן שעוסקין בתורה ובגמילות חסדים יצרם מסור בידם ואין הם מסורים ביד יצרם שנאמר אשריכם זורעי על כל מים ואין זריעה אלא צדקה שנאמר (הושע י, יב) זרעו לכם לצדקה וקצרו לפי חסד ואין מים אלא תורה שנאמר (ישעיהו נה, א) הוי כל צמא לכו למים

Yohanan said in the name of R. Bana’ah: What is that is written, “Blessed are you that plant beside all waters, that send forth the feet of the ox and the donkey” (Isaiah 32:20)? Blessed is Israel; for when they occupy themselves with Torah and acts of kindness their inclination is mastered by them, and they are not mastered by their inclination, as it is said, “Blessed are you that plant beside all waters.” By “planting” is meant doing deeds of righteousness, as it is said, “Plant to yourselves in righteousness, reap according to mercy” (Hosea 10:12). And by “water” is meant Torah, as it is said, “Oh you who are thirsty come to the water” (Isaiah 55:1).

Daf Shevui to Avodah Zarah

Jews who occupy themselves with Torah and righteous acts can master their inclinations. Torah and a rich life of good deeds is a spiritual practice that leads one to live a life in which our better sides win out over our more base inclinations.
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