21. He also said, “at five years of age a child should study the Bible; at ten he should study the Mishna; at thirteen he should observe the precepts; at fifteen he should study the Gemara; at eighteen he should get married; at twenty he should study the law; at thirty he is arrived at full strength; at forty he is arrived at understanding; at fifty he is able to give counsel; at sixty he is accounted aged; at seventy he is hoary; at eighty he may still be accounted strong; at ninety he is only fit for the pit;(502) at 100 he is as if already dead and forgotten from the world.”
22. The son of Bagbag said, “ponder the law again and again, for all things are in it; contemplate it always, and depart not from it, for there is nothing to be preferred to it.”
23. The son of Haha said, “the reward is proportioned to the labor.”
1. The Sages studied in the language of the Mishna; blessed be He who made choice of them and their learning. R. Meier said, “he who is engaged in the study of the law for its own sake merits many things, and not only so, but the whole world is under the greatest obligation to him; he is called a dear friend, dear to God and dear to mankind; he rejoices God and rejoices His creatures. It clothes him with meekness and the fear of God, and directs him to become just, pious, righteous, and faithful; it removes him from sin, and brings him near to merit, and the world is benefited by his counsel, sound wisdom, understanding, and strength; as is said, ‘Counsel is mine, and sound wisdom; I am understanding, I have strength.’(503) It also bestows on him empire, dominion, and perception in judgment. It reveals the secrets of the law to him, and he shall be an increasing fountain, and a never-failing river; and it will cause him to be modest, slow to anger, and ready to pardon an injury done to him; and it will magnify and exalt him above all things.”
2. R. Joshua, son of Levi, said, “every day a Divine voice (_bath kol_) proceeds from Mount Horeb, which proclaims and says, ‘Woe be to those who contemn the law; for whoever is not engaged in the study of the law may be considered as excommunicate’; for it is said, ‘as a jewel of gold in a swine’s snout, so is a fair woman which is without discretion’;(504) and it is said, ‘And the tables were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tables.’(505) Read not graven but freedom; for who are counted free but those engaged in the study of the law, and whoever is engaged in the study of the law is exalted; as it is said, ‘And from Mattanah to Nahaliel, and from Nahaliel to Bamoth.’ ”(506)