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Why do we read the "Ethics of our Fathers" during this period of the year?

Thursday, 22 April, 2021 - 12:51 pm

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During the period of the Omer, i.e between Pesach and Shavuot, we read and study every Shabbat one chapter of the Pirke Avot, the Ethics of our Fathers. What are the Ethics of our Fathers? It is a tractate of the Mishna (the first compilation of the oral law, authored by Rabbi Yehudah HaNasi (approx. 200 C.E.)).

Usually, the Mishnayot deal with the laws of the Torah, i.e the laws of Shabbat, of Kosher etc. But Pirke Avot is different. It does not deal with commandments of G-d, but with our personal spiritual growth, how to behave righteously. According to the Talmud, someone who wants to do more than it strictly required by law, (in the words of the Talmud, to be a Chasid), should follow the teachings of the Pirke Avot.

Let us take an example from Chapter 3, which we will read this Shabbat afternoon after the prayer of Mincha, Mishna 10:

“[Rabbi Chanina Ben Dosa] would also say: One whose deeds exceed his wisdom, his wisdom endures. But one whose wisdom exceeds his deeds, his wisdom does not endure.”

The study of Torah must be translated in good deeds. Someone who is concerned only with the study, all his knowledge and all his wisdom will not endure the trials of life.

Why do we study the Pirke Avot during this period? As we explained beforeSefirat Haomer is the period when we prepare for the Receiving of the Torah on Shavuot. Part of this preparation is the study of the Pirke Avot, to be reminded but also to learn how to be better.

Shabbat Shalom,

Arie from the Yeshiva

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