Week #7, Pirke Avot 1:1

“Moses received the Torah [from God at] Sinai, and gaveit to Joshua. Joshua [gave it] to the Elders, the Elders to the Prophets, and the Prophets gave it to the Men of the Great Assembly.”

                                    ~Pirke Avot 1:1

Questions to consider:

Why the deliberate enumeration of the “journey” of the Torah from Sinai to the Men of the Great Assembly (said to be the Great Sanhedrin which was the ruling body in Jerusalem during the time of the Temple)? What is the importance of the sequence and order presented by the Rabbis? Why do you think that this Mishnah was selected as the actual beginning of Pirke Avot? What is the relevance of this Mishnah to the upcoming celebration of Shavuot? What “sermon” would you offer for Shavuot if you were to use the Mishnah below to teach about your own, personal experience with Pirke Avot?

Week #6, Pirke Avot 6:5

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.

Pirke Avot 6:5

Questions to consider:

1. Why is it so important that deeds exceed study?  Isn't it contradictory with the Jewish principal found elsewhere that "The study of Torah is equal to them all because it leads to them all"?
2. How do you understand the metaphor of God as "Employer"  in the context of this perek?
3. Comment on the progression of ideas in this perek, please.

Week #5, Pirke Avot 5:15

There are four types among those who sit
before the sages (wise scholars):
 the sponge, the funnel, the strainer
and the sieve. 

The sponge absorbs all. 

The funnel takes in at one end
and lets it out the other. 

The strainer rejects the wine
and retains the sediment. 

The sieve rejects the coarse flour
and retains the fine flour.

~Pirke Avot 5:15

 

Questions to consider:

1. Pirke Avot is intended to be a guide for moral and ethical behavior and not a psychological treatise. Why do you think the Rabbis use these particular metaphors to compare and contrast people’s styles? 
2. Do you think that these four ways of sitting at the feet of scholars transmits information about a person’s learning style? Attitude toward learning? Both? 
3. Which if any of the styles resonates most with you -- if not now as an adult, then when you were a child?

Week #4, Pirke Avot 4:1

Ben Zoma said,
 “Who is wise?
The one who learns from all people… 

“Who is mighty?
The one who subdues the evil inclination… 

“Who is rich?
The one who rejoices in his portion…
“Who is honored?

The one who honors other human beings….”
- Pirke Avot 4:1

Questions to consider:

1. Do you agree with Ben Zoma? Do you disagree with him? (Answer both questions!)

2. If you were asked to compose your own responses to Ben Zoma's three questions (Who is mighty? Who is rich? Who is honored?) what would they be and why?

Week #3, Pirkei Avot 3:15

 Rabbi Akiva used to say:

"All is foreseen, and yet freedom
of choice is granted."

  ~ Pirkei Avot 3:15 

You are free to comment on the above text freely with your own personal thoughts and reflections, and/or use the questions below to inspire your written responses.

1. The above perek sounds contradictory. After all, how can there be freedom of choice if God already knows the future? How can freedom of choice and ​God's all-knowing-ness be reconciled?
2. Reflect on your own life. Do you live more in a "freedom of choice" mode? Or in an "everything is foreseen" mode? Can you give an example or illustration from your own experience to elucidate on this tension?

Week #2, Pirkei Avot 2:5

Hillel used to say: "Do not remove yourself from
the community, and do not believe in yourself
  (trust yourself) until the day you die, and do not judge
your friend until you have dealt with a situation like his,
and do not say 'that could never happen,' because in the
end, it could happen, and do not say that 'when I have free time, I will learn Torah', since you may never find free time."  ~ Pirkei Avot 2:5 

You are free to comment on the above text freely with your own personal thoughts and reflections, and/or use the questions below to inspire your written responses.

1. This excerpt is composed of 5 different imperatives. How do each of these pieces of advice enhance the life of a person?  Why do you think Hillel groups these five statements together?

2. Which of Hillel's statements above concerns one's internal development, and which concern one's interactions with others? Why are both important?

3. If it were your job to make certain that each of us today has 5 "Do nots..." which of the five above on Hillel's list would you keep? Which would you set aside as perhaps not relevant in today's world? Create statements that you might substitute for any of those above so that you end up with "Hillel's 'Do Nots' for 2015: A Guide to Good Living."

 

Week #1, Pirke Avot 1:6

“Joshua the son of Perachia would say: Get yourself a teacher, acquire for yourself a friend, and judge every person on the side of merit.”

Pirke Avot 1:6

You are free to comment on the above text freely with your own personal thoughts and reflections, and/or use the questions below to inspire your written responses.

 

1.    What are the similarities and differences between teachers and friends? Why do you think the text highlights the importance of teachers and friends in this short excerpt?

2.   Do you think that there is a connection between the text’s emphasis on teachers/friends and the imperative to “judge every person on the side of merit”?

3.   How does this quote, early in the text of Pirke Avot, set the stage for the value of learning, education, and friendship in Jewish life? What about in your own life?