Pirkei Avot (often translated as Ethics of the Fathers) is a Mishnah tractate focused on ethical teachings rather than legal rulings. Traditionally studied between Passover and Shavuot, it remains central to Jewish thought, offering wisdom on morality and personal conduct.
The text consists of six chapters—the first five forming its core, with the sixth added later as a supplement. It traces the transmission of Jewish teachings from Moses through generations of scholars, emphasizing integrity, humility, and righteousness. One of its most recognized passages is Hillel the Elder’s reflection: “If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I?”
Pirkei Avot has been widely studied and interpreted. Notable translations and commentaries include Charles Taylor’s Sayings of the Jewish Fathers (1897,) along with various modern explorations of its philosophical insights.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by Pirkei Avot
The more learning, the more life.
—Pirkei Avot
Topics: Learning, Living
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