Insights in Pirkei Avot by Rabbi Yitzchak Blau, WebYeshiva.orgAkavya ben Machalelel would say: Reflect upon three things and you will not come to sin. Know from whence you came, and to where you are going, and before whom you will give an accounting. Form where did you come? From a putrid drop. To where are you going? To a place of dust, maggots, and worms. Before whom will you give an accounting? Before the King of kings, the Holy One, blessed be He. (Avot 3:1)Many commentators explain that Akavya addresses three different sources of sin. Since arrogance represents an influential cause of transgression, Akavya begins by reminding humanity of their humble origin. Recalling the less aesthetically pleasing aspects of human generation, gestation, and birth helps us realize that humanity is not just about dignity and grandeur.Temptation and desire also lead to numerous transgressions. Akavya tries to forestall this by mentioning that the human body ultimately lies consumed by worms in a grave. How does this thought help us resist our cravings? Perhaps a sense of temporality encourages the realization of the short term impact of physical delights. Internalizing that realization, we direct our energies to the enduring joys of study, charity, and cleaving to God.R. Yisrael Lipschutz raises a different possibility. Reckless pursuit of desire often hastens arrival at the grave of worms. Overeating or drug addiction can break down the body in dangerous ways. A hedonistic lifestyle brings a person into environments not conducive to health and well being. Single minded pursuit of pleasure also destroys the network of support from family and friends that enable our weathering life’s more trying components.What challenge does Akavya’s third statement address? Abravanel thinks that Akavya focuses on the lure of money and possessions. We make our ethically dubious financial calculations while forgetting to calculate the divine reckoning that awaits us. According to his reading, this mishna’s three themes parallel the “kina, ta’ava and kavod” mentioned by R. Eliezer Hakapar as those items that remove a person from this world (Avot 4:21).R. Lipschutz suggests that the third category refers to heresy and intellectual error. Denying fundamental beliefs can certainly engender sin. Akavya asks the scoffer to consider the possibility that he errs and divine judgment looms at the end of history.Although Akavya seems to take a heavy handed approach utilizing harsh imagery and focusing on fear of punishment, two commentators altar that picture. Rambam writes: “Reflecting on the greatness of the commander will lead a person to fulfill the divine command with alacrity.” Despite the mishnaic imagery of accounting, Rambam thinks that Akavya does not emphasize potential reward or punishment. Rather, he asks us to reflect upon the grandeur of God, thereby gaining the inspiration that forestalls sin.Furthermore, Abravanel notes the limitation of a constantly heavy handed message. Stressing mortality and corruption can also motivate a person to despair of spiritual accomplishment and justify a dissolute lifestyle. We sometimes need Akavya’s message to prevent our spiritual downfall; at other times, we need to hear about human dignity and the greatness of our potential. May we successfully combine these two necessary themes.