Pirkei Avot: Ethics of the Fathers
Pirkei Avot: Ethics of the Fathers:
About Ethics of our Fathers:
What are Ethics of our Fathers?: While counting the Omer, we too try to perfect our character. To assist in achieving this goal, we study Avot, the tractate which is devoted to piety, humility, kindness and ethics.
Why is the Tractate Named "Fathers"?: The teachings expressed in this tractate are the "father" to -- i.e. they must precede -- all other Torah teachings. "If there is no common decency, there is no Torah."
The Weekly Chapter's Preface and Afterword: Greeting everyone with a smile, opening one's house to the poor, respecting peers, etc.--these may be difficult sometimes, considering that our fellows sometimes appear to be far from perfect, or even savory...
What's a "Hassid", Anyway?: "The Hassids are the ones with the black coats..." "No, no. All the Orthodox have long black coats and beards. The Hassids are the ones with the wide-brimmed hats." "No, they all wear the hats..."
Chapter 1:
Text of Chapter One: Moses received the Torah from Sinai and gave it over to Joshua. Joshua gave it over to the Elders, the Elders to the Prophets, and the Prophets gave it over to the Men of the Great Assembly. They would say three things: Be cautious in judgement; establish many pupils; make a safety fence around the Torah...
Insights:
Five Steps to Sinai: Humility. Devotion. Toil. Divine assistance. Practicality. The five steps necessary for anyone who wishes to approach the Torah.
Eating on the Job: Using Torah law (to which, we are told, G-d conforms) as our criterion, what would G-d's obligations toward us be when we labor to fulfill the purpose towards which He placed us in the world?
The Case of the Floating Skull: Moses, Pharaoh, Hillel, Maimonides and the Lubavitcher Rebbe on cosmic justice, the temporality of evil, the significance of chance encounters and the redeemability of the malevolent spirit.
Trust and Acceptance: We can appreciate the connection between a mentor and a friend. But why is the lesson of judging people favorably taught in the same sentence?
Addition Through Subtraction: In the immortal words of the famous first century sage Hillel: "If I am not for myself, then who will be for me?..." In other words: I need to look after myself; who else should? So where's the problem with selfishness? For that, we need to consider the rest of Hillel's statement...
The Torah: Law, Truth and Peace:
Chaper 1 Audio Classes:
Ethics: Chapter 1, Michnah 1 (part I): Part 1 Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:1
Ethics: Chapter 1, Mishnah 1 (part II): Part 2 Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:1
Ethics: Chapter 1, Mishnah 1 (part III): Part 3 Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:1
The World's Tripod: Shimon the Righteous was among the last surviving members of the Great assembly. He would say: The world stands on three things: Torah, the service of G-d, and deeds of kindness
To Love Every Jew: Hillel would say: Be of the disciples of Aaron--a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves the creatures and draws them close to Torah.
Choose a Path for Yourself: Rabban Gamliel would say: Assume for yourself a master; stay away from doubt; and do not accustom yourself to tithe by estimation.
The Value of Silence: His son, Shimon, would say: All my life I have been raised amongst the wise and I have found nothing better for the body than silence. The essential thing is not study, but deed. And one who speaks excessively brings on sin.
Justice, Truth and Peace: By three things is the world sustained: law, truth and peace. As is stated: "Truth, and a judgment of peace, you should administer at your [city] gates.''
For the Kids:
The Precious Words: Quickly, he took off his coat, and stuffed it into the hole. The water stopped for a while, but shortly it began dripping once more. Soon, the hole would again open up!
A Lesson in Hospitality: "I will just figure out your bill. Hmmm. The wine is worth fifty dollars. The meat is a hundred. Ummm... The fruit must be another forty...”
Look with the Right Eye: Finally after three years, the man went to his employer, and asked to be paid. The wealthy landowner however, pulled a sad face “I’m sorry,” he said, “I have no money to pay you.”
The Mystery of the Missing Grain: Startled farmers saw no one, until they looked closer, and saw... hundreds of tiny, hungry mice! The mice were stealing their grain! They were the thieves!
The Soft Tongue: Rabbi Yehudah had his cooks make some of the tongue properly, soft and tender. The rest he left half-cooked. It was very tough and hard.
The Dishonest Judge: Reaching under her cloak, she pulled out a beautiful golden lamp and placed it in front of the judge. “I want you to summon my brother to your court. I know I can rely on you that justice will be done.”
Chapter 2:
Text of Chapter Two: Rabbi [Judah HaNassi] would say: Which is the right path for man to choose for himself? Whatever is harmonious for the one who does it, and harmonious for mankind...
Insights:
A Path and a Choice: Follow your bliss? If it's going to make other people like you, that's the thing to do? Not the sort of advice you'd expect from a Talmudical sage...
The Levites: Heaven or earth? The kollel or the kibbutz? We Jews have been debating the issue for as long as we have been a people
Your Fellow's Place: "Do not judge your fellow until you have reached his place." But since a person can never really be in his fellow's place, why doesn't the Mishnah simply say, "don't judge your fellow"?
The Stuff We Are Made Of: People are busy rifling through the – dare I say it - junk. I must run. Run before I become entangled in that huge mess of possessions, aptly called "gar(b)age sale."
Chapter 2 Audio Classes:
Keeping a Balance:In this class you will learn some historical context to the authoring of the mishnah and the meaning of the Sages teaching that one should lead a balanced lifestyle.
Big or Small: “Be as careful in minor commandments as of a major one” -- What defines larger or smaller commandments?
Achievements: “Be as careful in minor commandments as of a major one” -- What does G-d judge us by: the actual achievements or the work and emotion that is put into performing the commandments?
Torah vs. Profession: "It is good to combine the study of Torah with an occupation” -- Which is more important, studying Torah or doing a profession.
Community Matters: “All who occupy themselves with the affairs of the community shall be engaged with them for the sake of G-d" -- Why you should or shouldn’t be involved in community matters.
Torah & Work: Beautiful is the study of Torah with the way of the world, for the toil of them both causes sin to be forgotten. Ultimately, all Torah study that is not accompanied with work is destined to cease and to cause sin.
The Relationship of Torah: "If you have learned much Torah, do not take credit for yourself---it is for this that you have been formed.”
For the Kids:
David the Sheherd: “This is not right,” thought David. “The young goats should have the tender new grass. The bigger goats have strong teeth. They can eat the hard stubble.”
The Small Mitzvah: He dreamt he was standing by the sea, when a group of murderers suddenly grabbed him, and threw him into the water. Rabbi Yitzchak could not swim, and was about to drown…
The Stolen Goblet: As the servants were cleaning up and putting everything away, a cry suddenly arose in the household. The goblet was missing. Everyone looked high and low for it, but to no avail. It had vanished.
The Honest Blacksmith: By the time Eliezer Reuven realized his mistake, both peasants had already gone home. The honest smithy was so upset that he closed his shop, and set off on foot to refund the peasant’s money.
The Lamp: Without even realizing it, he moved his hand to tilt the lamp! Suddenly he stopped himself in mid-air. “What am I doing?” he exclaimed...
The Raindrops Bear Witness: The bound man was desperate. “These raindrops will be my witness,” he cried. “They will pay you for your crime!”
Prepare for the Banquet: The clever servants were all dressed nicely. The foolish ones were afraid they might be locked out if they came late. They came in their soiled clothes, all sweaty from their labors.
Rabbi Chanina and the Rock: But how would he ever get it to the Holy Temple? He would need five strong men to carry it, and they would have to be paid. And Rabbi Chanina had barely had five gold coins as his whole life’s savings...
Safe Keeping: After a year, he said, “If I leave the barley any longer it will spoil, or mice will eat it up. When these poor fellows return, there will be nothing left.”
The Sea Journey: Amid the raging storm, G-d heard the little boy’s prayer. Suddenly the winds stopped. The ocean became still. Everyone breathed a sigh of relief. They had been saved.
Chapter 3:
Text of Chapter 3:
Insights:
The Object: Man turned away from G-d, searched for G-d, discovered truth, attained holiness. But the physical world had no part in this; it was just scenery, a backdrop painted with patches of withheld light, against which G-d/man saga played
Whose Money Is It Anyway?: That question probably crosses the minds of millions of Americans as they scramble to meet the tax-filing deadline...
Divine Knowledge and Human Choice: If G-d "already" knows what I will do tomorrow, is not my freedom to choose nothing more than an illusion?
What is Morality?: Kant was certainly correct when he said that the essence of a moral judgment is that it is categorical. That, however, is not the end of the problem of understanding the basis of morality. In fact, it is just the beginning of the problem
Chapter 3 Audio Classes:
Three Things to Know: Akavya ben Mahalalel said, “Reflect upon three things and you will not come to sin: 1. Know from where you came 2. Know where you are going 3. And before whom you are destined to give an accounting for you actions.
Welfare of the Goverment: Rabbi Chanina the deputy High-Priest taught “Pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear of it, men would swallow one another alive”.
The Yoke of Torah: Rabbi Chanina the son of Chachinaey taught “One who is awake at night of travels alone on the road, and turns his heart to idleness, indeed he endangers his life”
Ten Jews & G-ds Presence: Rabbi Chalafta ben Dosa of Kfar Chananya explained “If ten people sit together and occupy themselves with Torah, the Divine Presence rests among them”
Forgetfulness: Rabbi Dusta'i the son of Rabbi Yannai would say in the name of Rabbi Meir: Anyone who forgets even a single word of his learning, the Torah considers it as if…
Piety Precedes Wisdom: Rabbi Chanina the son of Dosa would say: One whose fear of sin takes precedence to his wisdom, his wisdom endures. But one whose wisdom takes precedence to his fear of sin, his wisdom does not endure.
G-d Likes a Mentch: One who is pleasing to his fellow men, is pleasing to G-d. But one who is not pleasing to his fellow men, is not pleasing to G-d.
Ultimate Profanity: One, who profanes the kodoshim, degrades the Festivals, humiliates his friend in public, abrogates the covenant of our father Abraham, or who interprets the Torah contrary to its true intent… has no share in the World to Come.
Safeguards: Rabbi Akiva would say: Jesting and frivolity accustom a person to promiscuity. Tradition is a safety fence to Torah, tithing a safety fence to wealth, vows a safety fence for abstinence; a safety fence for wisdom is silence.
The Virtues of Humanity (1): Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:14
The Preciousness of the Jew (2): Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:14
Everything is Seen: All is foreseen, and freedom of choice is granted. The world is judged with goodness, but in accordance with the amount of man's positive deeds.
The Collector: The collection-officers make their rounds every day and exact payment from man, with his knowledge and without his knowledge…
Torah and Morality: Rabbi Eliezer the son of Azariah would say: If there is no Torah, there is no common decency; if there is no common decency, there is no Torah.
The Meat of Torah: Rabbi Eliezer Chisma would say: the laws of kinin (bird offerings) and the laws of menstrual periods--these, these are the meat of Halachah (Torah law). The calculations of solar seasons and gematria are the condiments of wisdom.
For the Kids:
Rava and the Rich "Poor" Man: Rava was surprised. If this man had such expensive tastes, he would find it hard to get a meal. How did he expect others to take care of him better than they took care of themselves?
A Point of Honor: He could hardly concentrate. Looking up, he said, “If anyone here ate garlic, would they kindly leave, so that we can get on with the learning.”
An Invitation To Dinner: Rabbi Hoshayah was afraid of bringing his blind guest for dinner. Perhaps the guests would feel uncomfortable. Perhaps they might even say something which would embarrass the blind teacher.
The Wisdom of Rabbi Joshua: He replied with sharp words, “Your majesty, tonight you will dream that you will fall into the hands of your despised enemies, the Parthians. They will torture you and force you to do hard labor!”
The Gift: “Mother, mother, look what we found in the sand!” They showed her a box they had uncovered. There was enough money in it to support the family for many years...
Chapter 4:
Text of Chapter 4: Ben Zoma would say: Who is wise? One who learns from every man. Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations. Who is rich? One who is satisfied with his lot. Who is honorable, one who honors his fellows...
Insights:
The Ethics of Envy: Call it the green-eyed monster. Call it spite, pettiness, insecurity. It's not a very satisfying way to live. How does one rid oneself of envy?
How Strong Are You?: The message is clear: dealing with and changing negative behavior is extremely difficult. But why does discipline and self control need so much strength?
The Joy in the Struggle: As I sunk into the driver's seat on my commute home, I began my daily personal prayer to G‑d and opened, rather ungratefully, with my list of grievances about how I had survived yet another stressful day...
Kehot Avot with Commentary: Ben Azzai would say: Run to pursue a minor mitzvah, and flee from a transgression. For a mitzvah brings another mitzvah, and a transgression brings another transgression...
On the Essence of Pleasure: The world, the sages tell us, is made of pleasure. Pleasure condenses and contracts and becomes Wisdom. Wisdom condenses further and becomes Understanding...
Chapter 4 Audio Classes:
Who Wants To Be A__?: Ben Zoma would say: Who is wise? One who learns from every man. Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations. Who is rich? One who is satisfied with his lot. Who is honorable? One who honors his fellows.
Enthusiasm for a Mitzvah (1): Ben Azzai would say: Run to pursue a minor mitzvah, and flee from a transgression.
The Nature of a Mitzvah (2): For a mitzvah brings another mitzvah, and a transgression brings another transgression. For the reward of a mitzvah is a mitzvah, and the reward of transgression is transgression.
Good Mazal: He would also say: Do not scorn any man, and do not discount any thing. For there is no man who has not his hour, and no thing that has not its place.
Extreme Humility (1): Rabbi Levitas of Yavneh would say: Be very, very humble, for the hope of mortal man is worms.
Sacrilege (2): Whoever desecrates the Divine Name covertly, is punished in public. Regarding the desecration of the Name, the malicious and the merely negligent are one and the same.
Torah Study For...: One who learns Torah in order to teach, is given the opportunity to learn and teach. One who learns in order to do, is given the opportunity to learn, teach, observe and do.
Respect for Torah: Rabbi Yossei would say: Whoever honors the Torah, is himself honored by the people; whoever degrades the Torah, is himself degraded by the people.
Nonjudgmental?!: One who refrains from serving as a judge avoids hatred, thievery and false oaths. One who frivolously hands down rulings is a fool, wicked and arrogant… Do not judge on your own…
Respectful Relationships: The dignity of your student should be as precious to you as your own; the dignity of your colleague, as your awe of your master; and your awe of your master as your awe of Heaven.
Ethics: Chapter 4, Mishnah 16: Rabbi Yaakov would say: This world is comparable to the antechamber before the World to Come. Prepare yourself in the antechamber, so that you may enter the banquet hall.
Just One Hour: Rabbi Yaakov taught “One hour of repentance and good deeds in this world is better than all the life of the World to Come; and one hour of bliss in the World to come is better than all the life of this world”
Just Leave Me Alone: Rabbi Shimon ben Elazar taught “Do not placate your fellow in the moment of his anger; do not comfort him while his dead lies before him; do not question him [about the details] of his vow at the moment he makes it; and do not seek to see him at the time of his degradation".
The Jewish Way in Victory: Shmuel HaKatan declared “When your enemy falls do not rejoice, and when he stumbles let your heart not be glad, lest the L-rd see and it will be displeasing to Him, and He will divert His wrath from him [to you]".
The Virtues of Maturity: Elisha ben Avuya taught “He who studies Torah as a child, to what can he be compared? To ink written on fresh paper; and he who studies Torah as an old man, to what can he be compared? To ink written on paper that has been erased”.
More then Meets the Eye: “Envy, lust and honor-seeking drive a man from this world.” Learn the deeper meaning behind Rabbi Eliezer Hakappar’s statement.
Chapter 5:
Text of Chapter 5: The world was created with ten utterances. What does this come to teach us? Certainly, it could have been created with a single utterance...
Kehot Avot with Commentary: The world was created with ten utterances. What does this come to teach us? Certainly, it could have been created with a single utterance...
Good Tests v Bad Tests: The Jews tested G-d, and incurred His wrath. But G-d Himself set the example, by testing Abraham. Is this hypocrisy?
Twilights Ten Creations: Ten things were created at twilight, what is twilight and what is its significance?
Don't Be Fair: What were the sins of Sodom? In the English language, the name of the city is synonymous with sexual perversion. But the traditional Jewish sources -- the Talmud, Midrashim and the Commentaries -- have a different angle on the Sodom story
A Higher Giving: The Lubavitcher Rebbe
Chapter 5 Audio Classes:
Ten Utterances of Creation: The world was created with ten utterances. What does this come to teach us? Certainly, it could have been created with a single utterance.
Why Ten? (part 1 of 4): Explore creation and the implication of the words: “The world was created by means of ten Divine utterances.”
Why Ten? (part 2 of 4): Explore creation and the implication of the words: “The world was created by means of ten Divine utterances.”
Why Ten? (part 3 of 4): Explore creation and the implication of the words: “The world was created by means of ten Divine utterances.”
Why Ten? (part 4 of 4): Explore creation and the implication of the words: “The world was created by means of ten Divine utterances.”
Miracles and Trials: With ten tests our father Abraham was tested and he withstood them all--in order to make known how great our father Abraham’s love [for G-d] was.
Ten Miracles in Egypt: Ten miracles were performed for our forefathers in Egypt, and another ten at the sea. Ten afflictions were wrought by G-d upon the Egyptians in Egypt, and another ten at the sea.
Ten Tests: With ten tests our forefathers tested G-d in the desert, as is stated (Numbers 14:22), "They tested Me these ten times, and did not hearken to My voice."
Ten Miracles in the Holy Temple (1): Ten miracles were performed for our forefathers in the Holy Temple.
Ten Miracles in the Holy Temple (2): Ten miracles were performed for our forefathers in the Holy Temple.
Ten Miracles in the Holy Temple (3): Ten miracles were performed for our forefathers in the Holy Temple.
Four Types of People (part 1): There are four types of people: One who says, "What is mine is yours, and what is yours is mine" is a boor. One who says "What is mine is mine, and what is yours is yours" -- this is a median characteristic; others say that this is the character of a Sodomite.
Four Types of People (part 2): One who says, "What is mine is yours, and what is yours is yours" is a chassid (pious person). And one who says "What is mine is mine, and what is yours is mine" is wicked.
Chapter 6: Rabbi Meir would say: Whoever studies Torah for Torah's sake alone, merits many things; not only that, but [the creation of] the entire world is worthwhile for him alone...
Insights:
A Voice from Heaven: And the voice called to me from heaven. "Dovi," it said, in an oddly mechanical tone, "just where do you think you're going? Get back on the Hutchinson River Parkway right away!"
Luxury: Abraham was motivated by a love of truth, a fiery will and an aspiration to bring pleasure to his Creator. Seemingly he would be the last person to demand wealth and fame as rewards for his efforts!
Small Town Jerry: Rabbi Yosi ben Kisma was offered a dream budget--enough money to build a school, a yeshiva, a kollel and an entire Torah community to his liking. So why would he turn down the opportunity?
Chapter 6 Audio Classes:
Voice from Sinai: Every day an echo resounds from Mt. Horeb (Sinai) proclaiming: "Woe to the creatures who insult the Torah." For one who does not occupy himself in Torah is considered an outcast.
Torah of Aspirations (1): Do not seek greatness for yourself, and do not lust for honor. More than you study, do. Desire not the table of kings, for your table is greater than theirs, and your crown is greater than theirs, and faithful is your Employer to pay you the rewards of your work.
Torah Aspirations (2): Do not seek greatness for yourself, and do not lust for honor. More than you study, do. Desire not the table of kings, for your table is greater than theirs, and your crown is greater than theirs, and faithful is your Employer to pay you the rewards of your work.
Who is Greater (part 1 of 4): Ethics of our Fathers 6:6 “Torah is greater than priesthood or royalty”.
Who is Greater (part 2 of 4): Ethics of our Fathers 6:6 “Torah is greater than priesthood or royalty”.
Who is Greater (part 3 of 4): Ethics of our Fathers 6:6 “Torah is greater than priesthood or royalty”.
Who is Greater (part 4 of 4): Ethics of our Fathers 6:6 “Torah is greater than priesthood or royalty”.
A Place of Torah: "If you were to give me all the silver, gold…in the world, I would not dwell anywhere but in a place of Torah. Indeed, so is written in the book of psalms by David the king of Israel: `I prefer the Torah of Your mouth over thousands in gold and silver.'
Everything for His Glory: Everything that G-d created in His world, He did not create but for His glory. As is stated (Isaiah 43:7): "All that is called by My name and for My glory, I created it, formed it, also I made it." And it says (Exodus 15:1): "G-d shall reign forever and ever."
The Translated Text:
Chapter One: Moses received the Torah from Sinai and gave it over to Joshua. Joshua gave it over to the Elders, the Elders to the Prophets, and the Prophets gave it over to the Men of the Great Assembly. They would say three things: Be cautious in judgement; establish many pupils; make a safety fence around the Torah...
Chapter Two: Rabbi [Judah HaNassi] would say: Which is the right path for man to choose for himself? Whatever is harmonious for the one who does it, and harmonious for mankind...
Chapter Three: Akavia the son of Mahalalel would say: Reflect upon three things and you will not come to the hands of transgression. Know from where you came, where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give a judgement and accounting...
Chapter Four: Ben Zoma would say: Who is wise? One who learns from every man. Who is strong? One who overpowers his inclinations. Who is rich? One who is satisfied with his lot. Who is honorable, one who honors his fellows...
Chapter Five: The world was created with ten utterances. What does this come to teach us? Certainly, it could have been created with a single utterance...
Chapter Six: Rabbi Meir would say: Whoever studies Torah for Torah's sake alone, merits many things; not only that, but [the creation of] the entire world is worthwhile for him alone...
Avot with Commentary:
Chapter 4, Mishna 2: Ben Azzai would say: Run to pursue a minor mitzvah, and flee from a transgression. For a mitzvah brings another mitzvah, and a transgression brings another transgression...
Chapter 5, Mishna 1: The world was created with ten utterances. What does this come to teach us? Certainly, it could have been created with a single utterance...
