29 Apr THE GREAT TREASURE OF PIRKEI AVOS

At this time of the year,
Klal Yisroel breaks
out one of its national
treasures: the Mishnayos
of Pirkei Avos. This
anthology of select ethical
teachings, transmitted
to us by our gigantic
teachers, presents us with
a truly great opportunity to achieve personal
excellence.
The name Pirkei Avos is perplexing. Names
such as Sefer HaMidos (A Compendium of
Character Traits) or Hilchos Dei’os (Laws of
Proper Jewish Attitudes) spring to the mind as
more descriptive titles. Yet the name Pirkei
Avos, Chapters of Our Fathers, reveals many
secrets about this masechta (tractate).
The many parents who read this column are
charged with the duties of educating their
youth. After all, the posuk tells us, “Shma
beni musar avicha, v’al titosh Toras imecha
– Listen my son to the lessons of your father,
and don’t turn from the teachings of your
mother.” Wow! That’s a big expectation upon
us. Where is the guidebook to direct us in how
to teach our children?
Wallah! We have Pirkei Avos – a syllabus and
full curriculum for parents on how to mold
their children into well-rounded and refined
Torah human beings. Thus, it is literally
described as “Chapters for Fathers,” replete
with lessons about humility and generosity,

smiles, and self-control.
This title also teaches us how to view our
ethical mentors correctly. It is quite natural
to dislike those who criticize and rebuke you.
After all, nobody likes to be dressed down.
Thus, a Mashgiach might not be popular
among certain students and a Rav might not
sometimes win many friends. Yet the name
Pirkei Avos impresses upon us that the Sages,
who imbue into us lessons of character and
ethical behavior, should be loved by us like a
father. For, when we follow their advice and
pay attention to their criticism, they actually
give us life in the World to Come. Thus, they
are our fathers for eternity. In this vein, the
next time your knee-jerk reaction is to be upset
that the Rabbi is once again having a tirade
about something, stop and think that perhaps
he might actually be giving the priceless gift
of a greater eternity.
We learn this awesome collection in the
springtime precisely when our physical
inclinations are budding and arousing. Added
to this is the fact that, during the days of
counting sefira, we commemorate the climb
of spiritual refinement that we accomplished
when we left Mitzrayim. Sefira recalls how
we rose from the forty-ninth degree of tumah
(impurity) to the pinnacle and zenith of Har
Sinai. We too, when learning how to achieve
the triple pursuit of Torah, Divine Service, and
Kindness to Others, are attempting to climb
the same ladder that our ancestors climbed so

successfully.
It is a shame that many do not open up a Pirkei
Avos with a sense of thirst and exhilaration.
Perhaps, if we would keep it in a glass case,
and charge ten dollars per minute for a peek
inside, people would better appreciate its
value. Its lessons on how to balance our lives
and how to juggle our priorities are indeed
priceless and eternal.
Here is one reason why more people do not
take advantage of its life enhancing treasures.
Almost all of us have read superficially its
teachings over and over again. And therefore,
unfortunately, too many people think of
Pirkei Avos as ‘old hat.’ Or, to put it another
way, we’ve ‘Been there; Done that.’ This is
a terrible shame for, as we grow wiser with
experience, we can mine many new and
profound lessons from these teachings. My
present recommendation for people who want
to be intellectually challenged and spiritually
improved from these ancient insights is to find
a new commentary that you have not studied
before. Drink from its words of wisdom with
spiritual excitement! The ArtScroll Maharal
on Pirkei Avos and collections of Gerrer
teachings are but two examples that spring
immediately to the mind. Of course, Reb
Irving Bunim’s classic, Ethics From Sinai, is
a wonderful companion if you haven’t as yet
enjoyed it.
To get the most out of your Pirkei Avos
experience, after learning a Mishna, ask

yourself, ‘Is this the way that I would have
viewed this subject?’ If not, study how you
should change your view on the issue. This
exercise then becomes a grand opportunity to
improve your outlook on life.
May all of us, with the help of Hashem, merit
to study and embrace the ideology of Pirkei
Avos and, in that merit, be zoche to wonderful
Torah blessings.