Pirke Avot Summer Study

“If I am only for myself, who am I?”

“Say little and do much.”

“The world stands on three things: Torah, Avodah, Gemilut Chasidim”

“You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it.”

Sound familiar? These are all snippets from Pirkei Avot, a part of the Mishnah, the Jewish Oral Law. Unlike the rest of the Mishnah, which concerns itself with case law, Pirkei Avot consists of a series of ethical principles from the Rabbis whose legal opinions occur elsewhere in the Mishnah. We are told at the beginning of the text: “Moses received Torah from God at Sinai. He transmitted it to Joshua, Joshua to the elders, the elders to the prophets, the prophets to the members of the Great Assembly.”

You are invited to become a link in this chain of transmission!

There is a custom of studying Pirke Avot during the summer months on the long Shabbat afternoons. In this spirit, we will gather to lunch and learn following Shabbat services, beginning July 6 and ending on August 31, just before the month of Elul begins.

Judy Young who holds a Master’s degree in Jewish Education will be guiding the group.

Please bring your own nut-free lunch, paper products and beverage.