(44) Zechariah VIII, 16.

Rabbi Chanania (45), the son of Akashia, said, "The Holy One, blessed
be He, was pleased to make Israel worthy; wherefore He gave them a
copious _Torah_ and many commandments, as it is said, 'It pleased the
Lord, for his righteousness' sake, to magnify the _Torah_ and make it
honorable'" (46).

(45) This saying did not belong originally to _Abot_, but was
taken from _Makkot_, III, 16. According to Goldschmidt, it
was introduced into the _Mishnah_ from the separate editions,
and then found its way into the Talmudical texts of _Abot_.
This verse is recited at the end of each chapter. See Rawicz,
_Commentor des Maimonides_, p. 114, n. 1.

(46) Isaiah, xlii, 21.






CHAPTER II

All Israel have a portion in the world to come, and it is said, "And
thy people shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for
ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be
glorified".

1. Rabbi (1) said, "which is the right course that a man should choose