Commentary for Shabbat 253:15

איני והא אנן) תנן אלו דברים שאדם עושה אותם ואוכל פירותיהן בעולם הזה והקרן קיימת לו לעולם הבא ואלו הן כיבוד אב ואם וגמילות חסדים והבאת שלום שבין אדם לחברו ות"ת כנגד כולם) [הני אין מידי אחרינא לא]

This proves that it all depends on the [number of] guests. But still the question remains, Can one person clear [them] away for all, or perhaps each man must do so for himself? — Come and hear: 'And Rabbi cleared the sheaves.' Then on your view, did Rabbi personally clear [them]?<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Surely not. ');">¹²</span> But he gave orders that it [the field] be cleared, yet after all each [acted] for himself.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Thus the question remains unanswered. ');">¹³</span> TO MAKE ROOM FOR THE GUESTS, etc. R. Johanan said: Hospitality to wayfarers<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' The word means both guests and wayfarers. ');">¹⁴</span> is as 'great' as early attendance at the <i>Beth Hamidrash</i>, since he [the Tanna] states, TO MAKE ROOM FOR GUESTS OR ON ACCOUNT OF THE NEGLECT OF THE <i>BETH HAMIDRASH</i>. R. Dimi of Nehardea said: It is 'greater' than early attendance at the <i>Beth Hamidrash</i>, because he states, TO MAKE ROOM FOR GUESTS, and then, AND ON ACCOUNT OF THE NEGLECT OF THE <i>BETH HAMIDRASH</i>. Rab Judah said in Rab's name: Hospitality to wayfarers is greater than welcoming the presence of the <i>Shechinah</i>, for it is written, And he said, My lord, if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, etc.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Gen. XVIII, 3; he thus left God, as it were, to attend to the wants of the three wayfarers. [On this interpretation he was speaking to God, and begged Him to remain whilst he saw to his guests v. Shebu. 35b.] ');">¹⁵</span> R. Eleazar said: Come and observe how the conduct of the Holy One, blessed be He, is not like that of mortals. The conduct of mortals [is such that] an inferior person cannot say to a great[er] man, Wait for me until I come to you; whereas in the case of the Holy One, blessed be He, it is written, and he said, My Lord, if now I have found, etc. R. Judah b. Shila said in R. Assi's name in R. Johanan's name: There are six things, the fruit of which man eats in this world, while the principal remains for him for the world to come, viz.: Hospitality to wayfarers, visiting the sick, meditation in prayer, early attendance at the <i>Beth Hamidrash</i>, rearing one's sons to the study of the Torah, and judging one's neighbour in the scale of merit.<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' I.e., seeking a favourable interpretation of his actions, even when they look suspicious. ');">¹⁶</span> But that is not so? For we learnt: These are the things which man performs and enjoys their fruits in this world, while the principal remains for him for the world to come, viz.: honouring one's parents, the practice of loving deeds,<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Not merely alms-giving. ');">¹⁷</span> and making peace between man and his fellow, while the study of the Torah surpasses them all:<span class="x" onmousemove="('comment',' Not because knowledge in itself is a great virtue, but because it is the foundation and condition of real piety; cf. Ab. II, 6; also, 'Learning is great, because it leads to (good) deeds'. ');">¹⁸</span> [this implies], these only, but none others?

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