Mishnah 6 - Chapter 3 - Pirkei Avot

Rabbi chalafta ben dosa ish kefar chananyah omer. Asarah sheyoshevin ve'osekin battorah, shechinah sheruyah beineihem, shenne'emar (t'hlm fv), elohim nitzav ba'adat el. Uminnayin afillu chamishah, shenne'emar ('mvs t), va'aguddato al eretz yesadah. Uminnayin afillu sheloshah, shenne'emar (t'hlm fv), bekerev elohim yishpot. Uminnayin afillu shenayim, shenne'emar (mlch g), az nidberu yir'ei h\ ish el re'ehu vayakshev h\ vayishma vego\. Uminnayin afillu echad, shenne'emar (shmvt ch), bechol hammakom asher azkir et shemi avo eleicha uverachticha.

Rabbi Halafta of Kefar Hanania said: when ten sit together and occupy themselves with Torah, the Shechinah abides among them, as it is said: “God stands in the congregation of God” (Psalm 82:. How do we know that the same is true even of five? As it is said: “This band of His He has established on earth” (Amos 9:6). How do we know that the same is true even of three? As it is said: “In the midst of the judges He judges” (Psalm 82:1) How do we know that the same is true even of two? As it is said: “Then they that fear the Lord spoke one with another, and the Lord hearkened, and heard” (Malachi 3:16). How do we know that the same is true even of one? As it is said: “In every place where I cause my name to be mentioned I will come unto you and bless you” (Exodus 20:21).

R. Chalafta Ish Kfar Chaninah says: If ten sit in judgment, the Shechinah abides among them, as it is written (Psalms 82:1): "G-d stands in the congregation of the Almighty" [and a "congregation" is not less than ten, as it is written in respect to the spies (Numbers 14:27): "How long for this evil congregation!" (Joshua and Kalev are excluded, leaving ten)]. And whence (is this derived) even for five? From (Psalms 82:1): "In the midst of the judges [(three judges and the litigants)] shall He judge." And (whence is this derived) even for three? From (Amos 9:6): "And He founded His bond upon the earth." [(three:) fire, air, and water (which circle the foundation of the earth) — whence it is seen that three is a "bond." Or from (Exodus 12:22): "a bundle (three stalks) of hyssop." There are texts which read: And whence do we derive even five? From "And He founded His bond upon the earth." A man "bonds" with one hand, on which there are five fingers. And the (five) fingers of the hand collectively are called a "bond." And the beginning of the verse reads: "He builds His ascents in the heavens." That is, the Shechinah, which is in the heavens, descends to the earth when there is a bond (of men) engaged in Torah study. And whence do we derive even three? From "In the midst of the judges (three) shall He judge."] And whence do we derive even two? From (Malachi 3:16): "Then the fearers of the L rd spoke to each other [(two are implied)] and the L rd listened and heard, etc." and whence do we derive even one? From (Exodus 20:21): "Wherever I mention My name, I shall come to you and bless you."