Editing The Ten Martyrs (section)

== The Well-being of the Government ==
In Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), the saying is brought: "Pray for the well-being of the government, for without fear of it, people would swallow each other alive."
[[File:רבי ישמעאל כהן גדול.jpg|thumb|The Gravesite of the Tanna Rabbi Yishmael ben Elisha Kohen Gadol - One of the Ten Martyrs - in Sajur]]
The need to ensure the "well-being of the government" as a prerequisite for proper Torah study is emphasized when the authors of the sayings in our Mishnah are "Rabbi Chanina the Deputy High Priest" and Rabbi Chanina ben Teradion:

These two Tannaim are among the "Ten Martyrs": Rabbi Chanina ben Teradion - according to all opinions, and Rabbi Chanina the Deputy High Priest - according to one opinion. That is, both suffered from the "government" which treated them with terrible cruelty unmatched in all of Jewish history, which is why the matter of the "Ten Martyrs" is an event that is especially emphasized in all generations. Despite all this, the importance of the "well-being of the government" as a prerequisite and preparation for proper Torah study is evident in the words of these Tannaim, for without fear of it, people would swallow each other alive.

When the fear of government is removed, a situation arises where people swallow each other alive, there is no order or discipline, and each person does what is right in their own eyes. In such a situation, it is impossible to study Torah with settled mind, because of the fear of not knowing what might happen the next moment.

However, when there is fear of government, then the country is conducted with order and discipline, and even when the government itself behaves in an undesirable manner to the most severe extent of the "Ten Martyrs," this too is done with order, etc., a decree from the government Above, and as a result - a decree from the government below, and it is not in a manner where each person does what is right in their own eyes. Since this is the case, it negates the fear of "people swallowing each other alive," which could potentially happen at every step<ref>Hitva'aduyot 5743 (1983) Part 3</ref>.