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Why does Avos 5:23 compare proper middos to being 'light as the eagle' when eagles aren't particularly light? The Tur connects this to shemiras ha'einayim, but the deeper lesson involves how we look at others. The eagle's gentle care for its young teaches us to see without possessiveness - viewing people as independent beings deserving respect rather than objects for our use.
Rabbi Zweig presents a fascinating analysis of a Mishna in Pirkei Avos (5:23) that states we should be "light as the eagle, swift as the deer, strong as the lion, and bold as the leopard." While most commentators interpret "light as the eagle" literally as swiftness, the Tur in Orach Chayim offers a radically different interpretation: it refers to guarding one's eyes (Shemiras HaEinayim). The Tur's interpretation addresses an apparent redundancy in the Mishna - why mention both being swift like an eagle and fleet like a deer if they mean the same thing? The Beit Yosef and Bach explain that "light as the eagle" means to quickly turn away from inappropriate sights. However, Rabbi Zweig proposes a deeper understanding based on the nature of sight itself.
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Pirkei Avos 5:23
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