Pirkei Avot

“Ethics of the Fathers” — the tractate of Jewish ethical wisdom traditionally read between Pesach and Shavuot.

By The Editors

Diving Deeper · 2 minute read

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Summary. Pirkei Avot (“Chapters of the Fathers,” sometimes translated “Ethics of the Fathers”) is a tractate of the Mishnah (Order Nezikin) collecting ethical teachings of the Tannaitic sages from Moshe at Sinai down to Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi. Unlike most of the Mishnah, it contains no Halacha — only wisdom. It is traditionally studied chapter-by-chapter on the Shabbat afternoons between Pesach and Shavuot (with a sixth chapter added for the week-of-Shavuot study cycle). Pirkei Avot is the most accessible introduction to the Tannaitic mind.

Structure

Five chapters (the sixth is a later addition known as Kinyan Torah and is not strictly part of the Mishnah). The first chapter traces the chain of transmission from Moshe down through the generations and records the foundational teachings of each link in the chain. Chapters two through five preserve the teachings of later Tannaim. Each saying is brief, memorable, and densely freighted.

Famous Sayings

Among the best-known teachings:

“The world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah, and Gemilut Chasadim.” — Shimon HaTzaddik (1:2)

“If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?” — Hillel (1:14)

“Make for yourself a rabbi and acquire for yourself a friend.” — Yehoshua ben Perachya (1:6)

“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.” — Hillel (2:5)

“It is not your responsibility to finish the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.” — Rabbi Tarfon (2:16)

“Who is wise? One who learns from every person.” — Ben Zoma (4:1)

When and How It Is Studied

The customary practice is to read one chapter on each of the Shabbat afternoons between Pesach and Shavuot. With six chapters (including the added Kinyan Torah) and roughly six weeks of Sefirat HaOmer, the cycle fits the season exactly. Many extend the practice through the summer months. The Mishna’s opening (every chapter except the first begins with Kol Yisrael yesh lahem chelek l’olam haba — “All Israel have a share in the World to Come”) is also recited.

The Best Commentaries

The classical commentaries are by the Rambam (his Commentary on the Mishnah includes the famous philosophical Introduction known as Shemonah Perakim, “Eight Chapters,” a treatise on the soul and ethics), Rabbeinu Yonah of Gerona (Avot 1–4), and the Bartenura. The Vilna Gaon’s commentary is brief and incisive. Among modern English commentaries: Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks, Ethics of the Fathers (the Koren edition); Pirkei Avos: The ArtScroll Mesorah Series; Irving Bunim, Ethics from Sinai (three volumes); and the Rosenberg Hertz prayer-book commentary.

Where Denominations Diverge

Universal across all denominations. Pirkei Avot is often the first Mishnaic text encountered by Reform and Conservative Hebrew school students; it is one of the very few Mishnaic tractates in the standard liturgy of every denomination. Its non-halachic content makes it broadly accessible.

Sources

Mishnah, tractate Avot (in Order Nezikin).

Rambam, Commentary on Avot (including Shemonah Perakim).

Bartenura on Avot.

Rabbeinu Yonah on Avot.