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Sayings of the Fathers: Pirke Aboth
The complete Hebrew text illuminated by English transliteration and commentary in an illustrated gift edition.
1 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1986
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About the author
Joseph H. Hertz
24 books2 followersJoseph Herman Hertz, CH, Ph.D. (Columbia University; B.A., New York City College), was Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth (U.K.), 1913–1946, and the first graduate of the Jewish Theological Seminary of America. He previously served as Professor of Philosophy at Transvaal University College, 1906–08.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
January 2, 2016
“It is not incumbent upon you to finish the task, but neither are you free to absolve yourself from it.” 2.16.
I am not a member of the Jewish faith, and I came to the Pirkei Avot (or “Chapters of the Fathers”) a relative stranger. This fascinating book is a collection of ethical teachings and maxims from roughly 200 BC to 200 AD, attributed to Rabbis from Simon the Just to Judah haNasi. These teachings are presented in a series of short statements that cover a wide range of ethical and religious matters, particularly the importance of devotion to the Torah.
“Contemplate three things, and you will not come to the hands of transgression: Know what is above from you: a seeing eye, a listening ear, and all your deeds being inscribed in a book.” 2.1.
While the entire tractate has a fairly low page count, and could be read in a very short span of time, this is a work that is better sipped slowly. Many of the maxims contained within it are both memorable and worthy of contemplation. While I am familiar with certain aspects of the Torah through the Christian Old Testament, I can only imagine how much more this work has to offer readers who have a deeper understanding of both the Torah and the history of Jewish scholarship.
“The day is short, the work is much, the workers are lazy, the reward is great, and the Master is pressing.” 2.15.
Although this text is intended for a Jewish audience, I would definitely recommend it to Gentile readers interested in learning more about Judaism, both in antiquity and in the present day. This was a fascinating look into a world I am not overly familiar with, and a great way to start my 2016 reading journey. 4.0 stars.
I am not a member of the Jewish faith, and I came to the Pirkei Avot (or “Chapters of the Fathers”) a relative stranger. This fascinating book is a collection of ethical teachings and maxims from roughly 200 BC to 200 AD, attributed to Rabbis from Simon the Just to Judah haNasi. These teachings are presented in a series of short statements that cover a wide range of ethical and religious matters, particularly the importance of devotion to the Torah.
“Contemplate three things, and you will not come to the hands of transgression: Know what is above from you: a seeing eye, a listening ear, and all your deeds being inscribed in a book.” 2.1.
While the entire tractate has a fairly low page count, and could be read in a very short span of time, this is a work that is better sipped slowly. Many of the maxims contained within it are both memorable and worthy of contemplation. While I am familiar with certain aspects of the Torah through the Christian Old Testament, I can only imagine how much more this work has to offer readers who have a deeper understanding of both the Torah and the history of Jewish scholarship.
“The day is short, the work is much, the workers are lazy, the reward is great, and the Master is pressing.” 2.15.
Although this text is intended for a Jewish audience, I would definitely recommend it to Gentile readers interested in learning more about Judaism, both in antiquity and in the present day. This was a fascinating look into a world I am not overly familiar with, and a great way to start my 2016 reading journey. 4.0 stars.
September 3, 2022
Good, but front-loaded.
May 12, 2024
This text is basically one that tells you how to behave properly. One of the chapters is to be read on each Sabbath from the Sabbath after Passover until the Sabbath before New Year.
Simon said, ‘Upon three things this world rests: upon the Torah, upon the Temple service and upon the doing of acts of kindness.’ This pretty much sums up this text.
But I’ll continue. The writer of the text finds unacceptable any form of power – he says, ‘Love work; hate lordship; and seek no intimacy with the ruling power.’
He also believed in action vs. thinking – ‘…not learning but doing is the chief thing…’
He also goes on to say what is unpalatable to him and also acceptable things to do:
Unpalatable: “The more flesh, the more works; the more property, the more anxiety; the more women, the more witchcraft; the more maidservants, the more lewdness; the more men-servants, the more robbery.
On the other hand, he’s all in for:
‘…the more Torah, the more life; the more schooling, the more wisdom; the more counsel, the more understanding; the more charity, the more peace.’
God is always lurking: ‘Consider three things, and thou wilt not come within the power of sin: know whence thou camest, and whither thou art going, and before whom thou wilt in the future have to give an account and reckoning.’
You-know-who is always watching. So check yoself.
Now I don’t agree with this premise: ‘Jesting and levity lead a man on to lewdness.’ Who doesn’t like company with a sense of humor?
The author descriptively gives a list of those who go/don’t go to service and what they are compared to: ‘There are four qualities among those that sit before the wise: they are like a sponge, a funnel, a strainer, or a sieve (I didn’t know they had these things back in the day!): a sponge, which sucks up everything; a funnel, which lets in at one end and out at the other; a strainer, which lets the wine pass out and retains the dregs; a sieve, which lets out the bran and retains the fine flour.’ I’m sure we all know churchgoers who represent these descriptive terms. I’d like to think of myself as a sieve – some things I’m totally down with, other concepts, not so much.
Interestingly enough, David (from the Bible) had a mentor! I didn’t know that! ‘…if David, the King of Israel, who learned only two things from Ahitophel, regarding him as his master guide, and familiar friend, he who learns from his fellow a chapter, rule, verse, expression, or even a single letter, is bound to pay him honor.’
David had a mentor. You learn something new every day!
So there you have it. The main idea of this text was quoted at the beginning: ‘Upon three things this world rests: upon the Torah, upon the Temple service and upon the doing of acts of kindness.’
Simon said, ‘Upon three things this world rests: upon the Torah, upon the Temple service and upon the doing of acts of kindness.’ This pretty much sums up this text.
But I’ll continue. The writer of the text finds unacceptable any form of power – he says, ‘Love work; hate lordship; and seek no intimacy with the ruling power.’
He also believed in action vs. thinking – ‘…not learning but doing is the chief thing…’
He also goes on to say what is unpalatable to him and also acceptable things to do:
Unpalatable: “The more flesh, the more works; the more property, the more anxiety; the more women, the more witchcraft; the more maidservants, the more lewdness; the more men-servants, the more robbery.
On the other hand, he’s all in for:
‘…the more Torah, the more life; the more schooling, the more wisdom; the more counsel, the more understanding; the more charity, the more peace.’
God is always lurking: ‘Consider three things, and thou wilt not come within the power of sin: know whence thou camest, and whither thou art going, and before whom thou wilt in the future have to give an account and reckoning.’
You-know-who is always watching. So check yoself.
Now I don’t agree with this premise: ‘Jesting and levity lead a man on to lewdness.’ Who doesn’t like company with a sense of humor?
The author descriptively gives a list of those who go/don’t go to service and what they are compared to: ‘There are four qualities among those that sit before the wise: they are like a sponge, a funnel, a strainer, or a sieve (I didn’t know they had these things back in the day!): a sponge, which sucks up everything; a funnel, which lets in at one end and out at the other; a strainer, which lets the wine pass out and retains the dregs; a sieve, which lets out the bran and retains the fine flour.’ I’m sure we all know churchgoers who represent these descriptive terms. I’d like to think of myself as a sieve – some things I’m totally down with, other concepts, not so much.
Interestingly enough, David (from the Bible) had a mentor! I didn’t know that! ‘…if David, the King of Israel, who learned only two things from Ahitophel, regarding him as his master guide, and familiar friend, he who learns from his fellow a chapter, rule, verse, expression, or even a single letter, is bound to pay him honor.’
David had a mentor. You learn something new every day!
So there you have it. The main idea of this text was quoted at the beginning: ‘Upon three things this world rests: upon the Torah, upon the Temple service and upon the doing of acts of kindness.’
April 6, 2018
Good broad ethical principles outlined here - show kindness, respecting others, be humble, do not judge others, show mercy, strive to do good and be good, be patient, do not seek out rewards, among many others. Not as much excessive God-fearing and protocol-obsessing as in the bible, still some of course, but much less and it's mostly just tidbits of ethical wisdom.
September 8, 2019
Very good but have a previous background in Jewish law and history first - it helps
July 29, 2009
Interesting - highlights of the rabbinic Talmud
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April 8, 2023One of the greatest pieces of wisdom literature.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews