Our Gemara on Amud Aleph discusses the curious Halacha that there are times when one watchman can hand over the object to another watchman and be completely dismissed of any further obligation, even without the owner’s expressed consent.

The phrase used is Shomer Shemasar Leshomer. Midrash Shmuel on Avos (1:1) notes that the Hebrew word “massar” (M-S-R) “to give” has a different connotation than the Hebrew word “nassan” (N-TH-N), which also means to give, at least in English. In Hebrew (N-TH-N) connotes a complete transfer, while (M-S-R) is having something placed in your hands or domain. Thus, a gift is given (N-TH-N), but an object to be watched is (M-S-R) placed. You do not own the object, and may not assume it is yours to dispose of. You are responsible to safeguard it.

Midrash Shmuel says this is why Mishna Avos describes the Torah as being passed or placed from Moshe to Yehoshua, Yehoshua to the elders, and so on. The Torah is not something owned or automatically inherited. We must act as faithful custodians so that it can be properly preserved, and also placed in trustworthy hands for the next generation.

This teaching continues the philosophical and theological theme that has emerged from the prior two dafs (34 and 35), that we would do better to relate to many of our so-called possessions as temporary assignments from God to be safeguarded. Our wealth, our wisdom, and our very bodies are not fully ours, but a valued object entrusted to us by God. 

There is another kind of asset, whereby we also tend to overrate our sense of ownership. To be good parents, we should think of our children as precious treasures entrusted in our hands by God, not possessions or extension of ourselves. This attitude makes it more likely that decisions are based on the child’s needs and moral development instead of our own pride. Avos DeRabbi Nosson (14:6) records Rabbi Elazar ben Azariah attempt to comfort Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai on the loss of his child: He reminded his colleague that God, the true owner, took his child back when it was time. Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai could take comfort in the fact that he carefully guarded this gem, and delivered him back to the owner, undamaged and spiritually whole.