26 May 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
teaching, 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
b’ni 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. The Meiri says that every type
of good behavior is covered in this Masechta!

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 approximately sixty Sages of this lofty
compendium, who imbue 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 you the priceless
gift of a greater eternity.
We learn this awesome collection in the
springtime and summertime 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 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 appreciate its value more.
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 Pirkei Avos’s life enhancing
treasures. Almost all of us have read it
superficially over and over again. 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 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 long life,
good health, and everything wonderful.