שמעון הצדיק היה משירי כנסת ישראל הוא היה אומר על שלשה דברים העולם עומד, על התורה, ועל העבודה, ועל גמילת חסדים (אבות א:ב)

Why does the Mishnah need to say that Shimon Hatzadik was from the leftovers of the Anshei Knesses Hagdola?  During the times of the Beis Hamikdash, when the Yidden were able to come to Yerushalayim and sacrifice Korbanas, life was pleasant for the Yidden as they could serve Hashem easily.  After the Beis Hamikdash was destroyed, hard times befell the Yidden as they went into exile.  But then, the Anshei Knesses Hagdolah established itself and composed tefillos to daven to Hashem so that the Yidden can once again connect to Him.

Slowly the era of the Anshei Knesses Hagdola dwindled, and the Yidden became despondent – who would replace the Anshei Knesses Hagdolah – there wasn’t anyone in the new generation to replace their stature.

They wondered what would become of Am Yisroel. How will they remain steadfast during hard times?  Shimon Hatzadik, the only one left from the Anshei Knesses Hagdolah, told Klal Yisroel: “Don’t worry, you won’t be in danger without the Anshei Knesses Hagdolah’s presence. The world can exist without them! For the world exists on three things which a Yid can be actively involved with – תורה, עבודה and גמילת חסדים!