“With this Aaron shall come” (Leviticus 16:3) – that is what the verse said: “For with stratagems [taḥbulot] you shall wage war for yourself” (Proverbs 24:6). Rabbi Natan and Rabbi Aḥa said in the name of Rabbi Simon: If you performed bundles [ḥavilot] of transgressions, perform bundles of mitzvot corresponding to them. [“Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart devising thoughts of iniquity, feet hastening to run to evil, one who utters lies as a false witness, and one who incites discord among brethren” (Proverbs 6:17–19).]
“Haughty eyes” (Proverbs 6:17) – “they shall be as ornaments between your eyes” (Deuteronomy 6:8).8This verse, referring to the phylacteries, provides the strategy for combating haughty eyes. “A lying tongue” – “you shall teach them to your children” (Deuteronomy 11:19). “Hands that shed innocent blood” – “you shall bind them as a sign on your hand” (Deuteronomy 6:8). “A heart devising thoughts of iniquity” – “these matters [that I am commanding you today] shall be [upon your heart] (Deuteronomy 6:6).
“Feet hastening to run to evil” – you shall run to perform circumcision, which is between the knees. “One who utters lies as a false witness” – “but you are My witnesses, said the Lord” (Isaiah 43:12). “One who incites discord among brethren” – “seek peace and pursue it” (Psalms 34:15). Rabbi Yoḥanan interpreted the verse regarding a ship captain [ḥovel], as Rabbi Yoḥanan said: A person should always render himself like a ship captain in determining how to perform a mitzva.9Rabbi Yoḥanan interprets the verse “for with stratagems you shall wage war for yourself” as referring to one’s battle with the evil inclination.
Just as the captain of a ship devises strategies to ensure his ship’s safe passage, so one should employ strategies to ensure one fulfills mitzvot and does not sin. Rabbi Benaa interpreted the verse regarding mishnayot, as Rabbi Benaa said: A person should always invest himself in the study of mishnayot,10One should study bundles [ḥavilot] of mishnayot. as if he were to be perplexed, they will open the way for him; if for Talmud, for Talmud, if for aggada, for aggada.11Accumulating knowledge through the study of Mishna will enable one to then proceed to study Talmud or aggada. Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi: Mishna is the iron pillar.