עברית
Faith
If I Am Here, Everything Is Here, What Does It Mean?
Question
Shalom, I would like an explanation of the statement in Tractate Sukkah 53a: "It was said about Hillel the Elder that when he was happy at the Simchat Beit Hashoeva, he said: 'If I am here, everything is here, and if I am not here, who is here?' What can we learn from this statement about the personal development of each and every one of us? Thank you very much.
Answer
Shalom and blessings,
There are many interpretations regarding the intention of the words of Hillel the Elder. One of them is found in Pirkei Avot 29.
When Hillel said, 'If I am here, everything is here, and if I am not here, who is here,' it reflects that Hillel was more humble than any person. He stated this while at the Temple during the Simchat Beit Hashoeva, indicating that no one should be ashamed to rejoice before Hashem, since I am here; certainly everyone can be here as I am lower than all.
With blessings,
Binyamin Shmueli
