Matthew 11:28

New Testament

25 At that time Jesus said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent, and have revealed them to little children. 26 Yes, Father, for this was your gracious will. 27 All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son decides to reveal him. 28 Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke on you and learn from me because I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy to bear, and my load is not hard to carry.”

Pirkei Avot 3:5

Mishnah
Rabbinic

3 Rabbi Shimon said: if three have eaten at one table and have not spoken there words of Torah, [it is] as if they had eaten sacrifices [offered] to the dead, as it is said, “for all tables are full of filthy vomit, when the All-Present is absent” (Isaiah 28:8). But, if three have eaten at one table, and have spoken there words of Torah, [it is] as if they had eaten at the table of the All-Present, blessed be He, as it is said, “And He said unto me, ‘this is the table before the Lord’” (Ezekiel 41:22). 4 Rabbi Hananiah ben Hakinai said: one who wakes up at night, or walks on the way alone and turns his heart to idle matters, behold, this man is mortally guilty. 5 Rabbi Nehunia ben Hakkanah said: whoever takes upon himself the yoke of the Torah, they remove from him the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly concerns, and whoever breaks off from himself the yoke of the Torah, they place upon him the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly concerns.

 Notes and References

"... By using the illustration of a yoke, Jesus is asking us to share and be partners with him in his work, in his ministry and service. He is also telling us that he will train us. The word “yoke” was a technical term used in the context of teaching and obedience to scripture in Judaism. (The following early Jewish and Christian texts contain the word “yoke” in the context of education and scripture: Sirach 51:23,26; Didache 6:1-2; Mishnah Avot 3:5; Mishnah Berakhot 2.2; Mishnah Berurah 2.13) These texts highlight the commitment implicit in the “yoke” metaphor) Every rabbi had their own “yoke”, that is, their own interpretation of Old Testament Scriptures. Some rabbis would pass on their own brand of teaching by living in community with their students ..."

Mowczko, Margaret Come to Me All You who are Weary (pp. 1-3) Macquarie University, 2010

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