Translation:Mishnah/Seder Nezikin/Tractate Avot/Chapter 1/18

Introduction

This Mishnah presents sayings of Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel, grandson of the Shimon ben Gamliel of Mishnah 17. Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel was a Tanna of the third generation, president of the Sanhedrin after the Bar Kochba revolt, and father of Yehudah HaNasi.

Hebrew Text

רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר:
עַל שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד:
עַל הַדִּין וְעַל הָאֱמֶת וְעַל הַשָּׁלוֹם,
שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר:
"אֱמֶת וּמִשְׁפַּט שָׁלוֹם שִׁפְטוּ בְּשַׁעֲרֵיכֶם."

English Translation

Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel used to say:
On three things does the world stand:
On justice, and on truth, and on peace,
As it is said:
“Judge with truth, justice, and peace in your gates.”

Explanation

The quotation, “Judge with truth, justice, and peace in your gates,” is from Zechariah 8:16. The “gates” are the city gates, where people resolved legal disputes.

For commentary on Mishnah 1:18, see, for example:

• The Maharal
• Rabbi Menachem Schneerson
• Chabad.org