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Ethics of the Sages: Pirke Avot—Annotated & Explained
The clear and compelling wisdom of the rabbinic sages can
become a companion for your own spiritual journey.
At the heart of Judaism is an ethical imperative to live life from your true self, as the image and likeness of God. To do this, you must see the greatness of God manifest in all things, and therefore engage each moment with grace, humility, and justice. This imperative flowers in the words of the early Rabbis (250 BCE–250 CE), who captured God’s call to be holy in Pirke Avot, a collection of pithy sayings on how best to live an ethical life.
This engaging introduction to the wisdom sayings of the rabbinic sages puts you in direct conversation with them, allowing the sages to speak directly to you about what matters in life and how to live it with dignity. With fresh, contemporary translation and provocative commentary, Rabbi Rami Shapiro focuses on the central themes in this Jewish wisdom compendium—study, kindness, compassion. He clarifies the rabbinic proverbs and parables in order to expose the ethical principles at their root. By recalling the ancient voices of the rabbinic sages, he shows us the contemporary significance of their timeless wisdom and distills Pirke Avot not as a book about ethics but as a practical guide to living ethically today.
Now you can experience the wisdom of the early Rabbis even if you have no previous knowledge of Judaism or rabbinic literature. This SkyLight Illuminations edition presents the ethical teachings of the rabbinic sages, with insightful yet unobtrusive commentary that conveys Pirke Avot’s core challenge of God to the Jewish people, and through them all humanity: We are to be holy as God is holy. We are to be, in a human way, what God is in a divine way.
192 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 200
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
August 17, 2020
A book to keep for reference. These aphorisms teach the ethics and morality of the Jewish faith in short verses, making their points easy to remember and to apply.
October 8, 2011
Note: This isn't the edition I read; I just grabbed the English translation off Project Gutenberg. So my review is of the text itself, not of anyone's commentary.
The Pirkei Avot, sometimes translated as “Sayings of the Fathers”, is a collection of rabbinical teachings from 200 BC to 200 AD. I put off reading it for a while because I expected it to be long and boring, and also because I had difficulty finding an English translation. My local library didn’t have any copies at all, and the local university library had only Hebrew copies. Eventually, it occurred to me to look on Project Gutenberg. Duh. So I downloaded the English translation to my Nook and started reading.
Much to my surprise, the Pirkei Avot is short and eminently readable; the teachings it includes are specifically on ethical and moral issues, and are relevant today (i.e., Leviticus this ain’t). Here are a few of the passages I marked on my Nook:
I like the rabbi’s point about cost-benefit analysis; I’ve often been able to avoid sin simply because it just isn’t worth it.
That’s a reminder I often need! One thing that impressed me about the Pirkei Avot is the stress it places on learning and study. The Torah, of course, is typically the focus of these exhortations, but the quoted rabbis assign tremendous value to a life spent in study. Their idea of how someone should dedicate themselves to study of the Word frankly shamed me – I don’t even approach those goals.
I just liked that bit.
I recommend the Pirkei Avot to everyone. It’s a short and easy read and is quite thought-provoking.
The Pirkei Avot, sometimes translated as “Sayings of the Fathers”, is a collection of rabbinical teachings from 200 BC to 200 AD. I put off reading it for a while because I expected it to be long and boring, and also because I had difficulty finding an English translation. My local library didn’t have any copies at all, and the local university library had only Hebrew copies. Eventually, it occurred to me to look on Project Gutenberg. Duh. So I downloaded the English translation to my Nook and started reading.
Much to my surprise, the Pirkei Avot is short and eminently readable; the teachings it includes are specifically on ethical and moral issues, and are relevant today (i.e., Leviticus this ain’t). Here are a few of the passages I marked on my Nook:
Rabbi said, “Which is the right course that a man should choose for himself? That which is a pride to him who pursues it and which also brings him honor from mankind. Be as scrupulous about a light precept as about a grave one, for thou knowest not the grant of reward for each precept. Reckon the loss incurred by the fulfilment of a precept against the reward secured by its observance, and the gain gotten by a transgression against the loss it involves. Consider three things, that thou mayest not come within the power of sin. Know what is above thee – a seeing eye, and a hearing ear, and all thy deeds written in a book.”
I like the rabbi’s point about cost-benefit analysis; I’ve often been able to avoid sin simply because it just isn’t worth it.
Rabban Jochanan, the son of Zakkai, received (the tradition) from Hillel and Shammai. He used to say, “If thou hast learnt much Torah, ascribe not any merit to thyself, for thereunto wast thou created.”
That’s a reminder I often need! One thing that impressed me about the Pirkei Avot is the stress it places on learning and study. The Torah, of course, is typically the focus of these exhortations, but the quoted rabbis assign tremendous value to a life spent in study. Their idea of how someone should dedicate themselves to study of the Word frankly shamed me – I don’t even approach those goals.
13. There are four characters among men: he who says, “What is mine is mine and what is thine is thine,” his is a neutral character; some say, “This is a character like that of Sodom”; he who says, “What is mine is thine and what is thine is mine,” is a boor; he who says, “What is mine is thine and what is thine is thine,” is a saint; he who says, “What is thine is mine and what is mine is mine,” is a wicked man.
14. There are four kinds of tempers: he whom it is easy to provoke and easy to pacify, his loss disappears in his gain; he whom it is hard to provoke and hard to pacify, his gain disappears in his loss; he whom it is hard to provoke and easy to pacify is a saint; he whom it is easy to provoke and hard to pacify is a wicked man.
15.There are four qualities in disciples: he who quickly understands and quickly forgets, his gain disappears in his loss; he who understands with difficulty and forgets with difficulty, his loss disappears in his gain; he who understands quickly and forgets with difficulty, his is a good portion; he who understands with difficulty and forgets quickly, his is an evil portion.
16. As to almsgiving there are four dispositions: he who desires to give, but that others should not give, his eye is evil toward what appertains to others; he who desires that others should give, but will not give himself, his eye is evil against what is his own; he who gives and wishes others to give is a saint; he who will not give and does not wish others to give is a wicked man.
17. There are four characters among those who attend the house of study: he who goes and does not practise secures the reward for going; he who practises but does not go secures the reward for practising; he who goes and practises is a saint; he who neither goes nor practises is a wicked man.
18. There are four qualities among those that sit before the wise: they are like a sponge, a funnel, a strainer, or a sieve: 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 just liked that bit.
I recommend the Pirkei Avot to everyone. It’s a short and easy read and is quite thought-provoking.
March 2, 2021
Religion at its worst. Moralistic and ritualistic injunctions without even parables or myths.
February 3, 2025
I spent years of my life studying the Hebrew Bible. I had a particular interest in Wisdom Lit. Somehow, I never got around to reading Pirkei Avot (Sayings of the Fathers) in those days. I’ve always been less than enthused about rabbinic works. Randomly I decided to pick up Harold Bloom’s list of the Western Canon and plug in some gaps. This was the first gap for me.
The Sayings of the Fathers is a collection of teachings (5 chapters) from various rabbis on the topic of ethics from the period of 200 BCE-200 CE. There wasn’t much that jumped out at me here. Be kind, be peaceful, pray earnestly, study hard and don’t forget, don’t be distracted, watch out for women, watch out for wine.
In each text I read on this list, I want to find at least one worthy quotation. So here’s mine:
“Who is wise? He who learns from every man, as it is said: ‘From all who taught me have I gained understanding’ (Psalms 119:99). A person who is ready to learn from anyone will not reject the things he learns from other people just because they do not have high social or economic standing.”
The Sayings of the Fathers is a collection of teachings (5 chapters) from various rabbis on the topic of ethics from the period of 200 BCE-200 CE. There wasn’t much that jumped out at me here. Be kind, be peaceful, pray earnestly, study hard and don’t forget, don’t be distracted, watch out for women, watch out for wine.
In each text I read on this list, I want to find at least one worthy quotation. So here’s mine:
“Who is wise? He who learns from every man, as it is said: ‘From all who taught me have I gained understanding’ (Psalms 119:99). A person who is ready to learn from anyone will not reject the things he learns from other people just because they do not have high social or economic standing.”
May 24, 2013
One of the books to be read and re-read, the sayings composing teaching stories and wisdom are fresh each time I return to them. I'm different, so I meet them in a different way, and gain more in considering this wonderful wisdom collection. Great for small group or individual study.
September 20, 2023
oof: missing text
Uh! It starts with chapter two! This was ok. It is not bad for free but there is too free of an attitude about sin. I doubt this would help anyone become a humble repenting person staying in their lane. So yeah this one feels messy. The wiki search is more fruitful in my opinion. If you want to be motivated to stir things up or have some selfish inclinations lol this text will not stop ya !
Uh! It starts with chapter two! This was ok. It is not bad for free but there is too free of an attitude about sin. I doubt this would help anyone become a humble repenting person staying in their lane. So yeah this one feels messy. The wiki search is more fruitful in my opinion. If you want to be motivated to stir things up or have some selfish inclinations lol this text will not stop ya !
February 23, 2018
These are supposed to be said every Sabbath after Passover, but I've never heard some of these so I don't really know.
October 7, 2021
"Any love that is dependent on something - when the thing ceases, the love also ceases. But a love that is not dependent on anything never ceases."
March 14, 2022
Like a Jewish Tao teh ching
May 2, 2022
Una belleza. Tan sabio. tan claro. tanto para reflexionar. Tanto para evaluarnos y ser mejores.
November 27, 2024
Wisdom for the ages and a window into a rich culture I appreciate.
October 2, 2025
The commentary written in the books is barely helpful but the teachings themselves are very interesting
February 10, 2020
First I'll say I'm not Jewish and so have never read any Jewish texts to date but there were some really good pieces of wisdom in this. Some of which should be read by anyone, Jewish or otherwise.
July 5, 2021
I just finished studying the Pirkei Avot with a group on Zoom with my Rabbit. They were enlightening and inspirational study sessions. We studied a chapter or portion each week. This edition gave commentaries from the works of the classic commentators and Chassidic Masters with English translations. The Mishna is included within the Pirkei Avot with passages of ethical statements from our Sages, starting over 2000 years ago, and expanding over 300 years. There were insights from the Lubavitcher Rebbe, Rabbi Menachem Schneerson.
This book explained in a meaningful and concise way the Mishnah’s text (an authoritarian collection of material that embodies the oral tradition of Jewish law and forming the first part of the Talmud-the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and primary source of Jewish religious law or halakha and Jewish theology.) It is composed of infinite amounts of wisdom. It was especially fulfilling and inspirational to discuss the passages in Hebrew and explain them during the COVID pandemic when in person gatherings were unavailable.
This book explained in a meaningful and concise way the Mishnah’s text (an authoritarian collection of material that embodies the oral tradition of Jewish law and forming the first part of the Talmud-the central text of Rabbinic Judaism and primary source of Jewish religious law or halakha and Jewish theology.) It is composed of infinite amounts of wisdom. It was especially fulfilling and inspirational to discuss the passages in Hebrew and explain them during the COVID pandemic when in person gatherings were unavailable.
January 17, 2016
This classic work of Jewish theology is one that I've heard a lot about - it's nearly impossible to be Jewish and not know something about this work, which in some places is actually part of the Shabbat liturgy. I finally decided to give it a read-through on a very long bus trip, to start off the new year.
Pirkei Avot is in fact a compendium of several different writings, compiled by different rabbis at different times in history. This heterogenous provenance is evident in the text itself. There is a section concerned with deriving a chain of authority for the Mishneh, a sort of theological geneology that is echoed in studies of the hadiths in Islam. The culmination of this section is a set of statements attributed to Rabbis Hillel and Shammai. And finally there is a section concerned with a variety of classifications, presumably in an effort to educate the reader - delineating, for example, the qualities which separate a righteous person from an unrighteous one, a saint from a boor, and so forth.
There is a great deal to admire here; Maimonides famously praised this work (which was already nearly a thousand years old in his time) for its deep insight and economy of phrase. Perhaps a perfect illustration of both of these admirable qualities is Rabbi Hillel's famous inquisitive statement: "If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am for myself only, who am I? And if not now, when?" One could spend many long hours in contemplation of just this single piece of this work, and one could listen to its many, many reverberations in the history of letters and thought in the millenia since it was coined. What I appreciated, perhaps most of all, were the commentaries about the importance of study coupled with work. The rabbis of this period were intensely concerned that their Torah study should be grounded in worldly concerned, and they balanced their study with manual labor of various kinds; their writings reflect this foot-in-both-worlds sensibility, and it's a point of view which is too rare today. It's rather inspiring to read a work that is so dense in wisdom and thought, and more humbling still to think about all that has been written about it.
At the same time, it's worth remembering that this work is still, after all, a product of its time. There is a deep fund of sexism that inspired these rabbis, and so it's important to remember that as wise as they may have been, they were still blind in some ways. Moreover, Pirkei Avot is on the one hand deceptively short and pithy (which means that it can be read too quickly) and on the other hand a little plodding and prosaic (which means that it's easy to discard it as it gros a bit dry at parts.) It's easy to see why this work gets read in pieces - one chapter a week, in some communities - and in a communal setting.
I am glad that I read this classic work, and gladder still that I read it accompanied by some commentary. I suspect that it's the sort of thing that I'll need to reread or rethink, now and again.
Pirkei Avot is in fact a compendium of several different writings, compiled by different rabbis at different times in history. This heterogenous provenance is evident in the text itself. There is a section concerned with deriving a chain of authority for the Mishneh, a sort of theological geneology that is echoed in studies of the hadiths in Islam. The culmination of this section is a set of statements attributed to Rabbis Hillel and Shammai. And finally there is a section concerned with a variety of classifications, presumably in an effort to educate the reader - delineating, for example, the qualities which separate a righteous person from an unrighteous one, a saint from a boor, and so forth.
There is a great deal to admire here; Maimonides famously praised this work (which was already nearly a thousand years old in his time) for its deep insight and economy of phrase. Perhaps a perfect illustration of both of these admirable qualities is Rabbi Hillel's famous inquisitive statement: "If I am not for myself, who is for me? And if I am for myself only, who am I? And if not now, when?" One could spend many long hours in contemplation of just this single piece of this work, and one could listen to its many, many reverberations in the history of letters and thought in the millenia since it was coined. What I appreciated, perhaps most of all, were the commentaries about the importance of study coupled with work. The rabbis of this period were intensely concerned that their Torah study should be grounded in worldly concerned, and they balanced their study with manual labor of various kinds; their writings reflect this foot-in-both-worlds sensibility, and it's a point of view which is too rare today. It's rather inspiring to read a work that is so dense in wisdom and thought, and more humbling still to think about all that has been written about it.
At the same time, it's worth remembering that this work is still, after all, a product of its time. There is a deep fund of sexism that inspired these rabbis, and so it's important to remember that as wise as they may have been, they were still blind in some ways. Moreover, Pirkei Avot is on the one hand deceptively short and pithy (which means that it can be read too quickly) and on the other hand a little plodding and prosaic (which means that it's easy to discard it as it gros a bit dry at parts.) It's easy to see why this work gets read in pieces - one chapter a week, in some communities - and in a communal setting.
I am glad that I read this classic work, and gladder still that I read it accompanied by some commentary. I suspect that it's the sort of thing that I'll need to reread or rethink, now and again.
March 21, 2021
Pirke Avot (annotated and explained by Rabbi Rami Shapiro) is filled with deep Jewish wisdom on how to live a life filled with meaning and importance and Shapiro's commentary elucidates modern meaning from the ancient words. Although a classic Jewish text, there is wisdom in these words for people of all faiths and no faith.
There are sections in which the insights leap off the page with modern meaning including one of the most well known (and influential) sayings of Hillel, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" Or "If your wisdom exceeds your kindness, you are like a tree whose branches are many and whose roots are few. Even a slight breeze will topple you."
Frequently, however, the words and references are are arcane and this is where Shapiro's insights become the most meaningful and relevant to a full understanding of the text. For the most part, Shapiro's commentary brings both clarity and a unique additional modern wisdom to the original language of the sages. However, his underlying theme of narrow mind vs. spacious mind is so overplayed in his commentary that it ultimately becomes a distraction to the meaning of the original words.
I have read other annotations of Pirke Avot in which I found deeper meaning and wiser counsel, but for the most part, I enjoyed Shapiro's thoughtful insights into the modern significance of this classic Jewish text.
It's an influential but very short Jewish text. Even with Shapiro's commentary, the reader can get through the entire book in only a few hours. It's a great place to see the wisdom of the Jewish sages on display, but I don't recommend reading Pirke Avot without commentary like that provided by Shapiro.
There are sections in which the insights leap off the page with modern meaning including one of the most well known (and influential) sayings of Hillel, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? But if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?" Or "If your wisdom exceeds your kindness, you are like a tree whose branches are many and whose roots are few. Even a slight breeze will topple you."
Frequently, however, the words and references are are arcane and this is where Shapiro's insights become the most meaningful and relevant to a full understanding of the text. For the most part, Shapiro's commentary brings both clarity and a unique additional modern wisdom to the original language of the sages. However, his underlying theme of narrow mind vs. spacious mind is so overplayed in his commentary that it ultimately becomes a distraction to the meaning of the original words.
I have read other annotations of Pirke Avot in which I found deeper meaning and wiser counsel, but for the most part, I enjoyed Shapiro's thoughtful insights into the modern significance of this classic Jewish text.
It's an influential but very short Jewish text. Even with Shapiro's commentary, the reader can get through the entire book in only a few hours. It's a great place to see the wisdom of the Jewish sages on display, but I don't recommend reading Pirke Avot without commentary like that provided by Shapiro.
March 5, 2015
This books title pretty much says it all: Pirke Avot Timeless Wisdom for Modern Life. The book is a compilation of advice from ancient rabbis and ancient scholars, with Modern Day interpretations from the author. The rabbis and scholars start off by warning us to build a fence around the wisdom of the Bible (Torah). To obey God and to serve him out of awe, fear, and love. They tell us to be constantly aware of God's Divine Presence, and to remember that we are commanded to live our lives for the sake of heaven. Their advice is truly timeless! They talk about love, emotions, friendship, judging, making decisions, finding a mentor, education, how to work, watching our words, channeling our emotions, humility, honesty, and the list just goes on and on. I think it will suffice to say that this book gives us kindly - thoughtful advice on how to live a life that is filled with deeds of loving-kindness, and how to stay committed to our own spiritual development (in Judaism loving-kindness is very important, because our deeds help us to reshape our hearts and minds.) You will find so many tidbits of good advice to help you move further along on the path of your spiritual journey. Shalom. Peace Out.
December 20, 2011
Unfortunately, this particular translation of Pirkei Avot and the accompanying commentary do not serve the original Mishnaic material very well.
Rabbi Shapiro's translation often strays from the literal to the point that one is left wondering why there even is a separate commentary. And, while one can certainly make the case that the truest translation is not always the most literal one, that argument is somewhat moot here, as Shapiro's translation frequently diverges from the original to such a degree that the meaning and intent of the original is obscured and distorted. In the most egregious cases, Shapiro's translation is almost in complete opposition to the Hebrew original.
Shapiro's commentary, like his free-ranging translations, put a heavily New Agey spin on the Pirkei Avot. He takes a work of wisdom literature with universal appeal, albeit with a specifically Judaic slant, and recasts it as a self-help narrative in which one improves oneself and the world through, I dunno, man, a change of consciousness or something.
Rabbi Shapiro's translation often strays from the literal to the point that one is left wondering why there even is a separate commentary. And, while one can certainly make the case that the truest translation is not always the most literal one, that argument is somewhat moot here, as Shapiro's translation frequently diverges from the original to such a degree that the meaning and intent of the original is obscured and distorted. In the most egregious cases, Shapiro's translation is almost in complete opposition to the Hebrew original.
Shapiro's commentary, like his free-ranging translations, put a heavily New Agey spin on the Pirkei Avot. He takes a work of wisdom literature with universal appeal, albeit with a specifically Judaic slant, and recasts it as a self-help narrative in which one improves oneself and the world through, I dunno, man, a change of consciousness or something.
June 23, 2013
A fun book, containing anecdotes and sayings of the early Rabbis, the Tannaim of the Mishnah.
I enjoyed the following quotations most:
“R. Chanina, the Vice-High-Priest, said, "Pray for the welfare of the government, since but for the fear thereof men would swallow each other alive.” - so much for anarchy as a political theory.
“R. Eleazar Chisma said, "The laws concerning the sacrifices of birds and the purification of women are essential ordinances; astronomy and geometry are the after-courses of wisdom.” I feel that Peter Leithart would approve. Plato would not.
“Ben Bag Bag said, "Turn it [the Torah], and turn it over again, for everything is in it, and contemplate it, and wax grey and old over it, and stir not from it, for thou canst have no better rule than this.” - cf. Horace, Ars Poetica 269: "Vos exemplaria Graeca / nocturna uersate manu, uersate diurna." The Byrds would approve.
The translation is old and not terribly faithful, but the character of the Rabbis still shines through.
I enjoyed the following quotations most:
“R. Chanina, the Vice-High-Priest, said, "Pray for the welfare of the government, since but for the fear thereof men would swallow each other alive.” - so much for anarchy as a political theory.
“R. Eleazar Chisma said, "The laws concerning the sacrifices of birds and the purification of women are essential ordinances; astronomy and geometry are the after-courses of wisdom.” I feel that Peter Leithart would approve. Plato would not.
“Ben Bag Bag said, "Turn it [the Torah], and turn it over again, for everything is in it, and contemplate it, and wax grey and old over it, and stir not from it, for thou canst have no better rule than this.” - cf. Horace, Ars Poetica 269: "Vos exemplaria Graeca / nocturna uersate manu, uersate diurna." The Byrds would approve.
The translation is old and not terribly faithful, but the character of the Rabbis still shines through.
July 30, 2010
Pirke Avot 3:12
If your kindness exceeds your wisdom,
your wisdom will endure.
If your wisdom exceeds your kindness,
your wisdom will not endure.
When it to books about Jewish ethics this small book is at the top of the (substantial) pile. It’s a collection of Talmudic wisdom with modern commentary. It’s really a wonderful book and full of so much ethical goodness to think about on I’m ready to re-read it again though I only finished it yesterday.
March 2, 2015
Fascinating how contemporary so much of this is. It strikes one as a heavily condensed compendium of Talmud. The parallels with the Apostolic writings are also interesting, though some of the scholarship on this is necessarily outdated; e.g., few today would identify either Paul or Jesus with Elisha ben Abuyah (a.k.a. "Akher"), especially since it's now widely recognized that both Jesus and Paul upheld, rather than opposed, Torah.
May 18, 2015
Wisdom readibg
Explains foundations of Yeshu a s teachings, which in and of Himself is Torah. written over the Millenia one learns h ow to be a just man or wicked. based on mankind's freewill, it was/is as pertinent today as when God gave Israel His laws. Trudging individuals would repent and follow God'Torah we would enjoy peace and love in this world and the world to come. Very relevant for all mankind at. This sorrowful time in history. Must read
Explains foundations of Yeshu a s teachings, which in and of Himself is Torah. written over the Millenia one learns h ow to be a just man or wicked. based on mankind's freewill, it was/is as pertinent today as when God gave Israel His laws. Trudging individuals would repent and follow God'Torah we would enjoy peace and love in this world and the world to come. Very relevant for all mankind at. This sorrowful time in history. Must read
July 2, 2017
You have to accept the premise that the Torah contains wisdom and instructions that are meaningful . And you have to accept that Rabbi Rami Shapiro's translation is probably probably not word for word. But Rabbi Shapiro gives a sort of Buddhist take on the traditional Jewish text. I found the connections of value since I respect both traditions.
The cliche that there are many paths up the mountain became a cliche for good reason.
The cliche that there are many paths up the mountain became a cliche for good reason.
May 8, 2018
An anthology of wisdom from the rabbis of old. Rami Shapiro's explanatory notes provide a way into the world of Pirke Avot... I get the sense that his interpretation is one of many. So maybe this isn't the DEFINITIVE Pirke Avot. I have no idea, I'm not Jewish and just checked this out on a whim.
"All my life I have been raised among the wise, and I have found nothing better for the body than silence."
"All my life I have been raised among the wise, and I have found nothing better for the body than silence."
April 19, 2013
Excellent,classic read. I didn't read this version though. I read the Artscroll version which is basically just the text without commentary. But I studied with a friend who did have the commentary. I don't suggest reading this alone but do it with a friend or a group because it's very deep and there's a lot to be learned. Overall, lots of wisdom to be found here.
December 10, 2017
This book is great. Ethics of the Sages is a book to just pickup and gain wisdom. The way the book is organized makes it easy to read.
Yehoshua Ben Perachyah teaches, "Make yourself worthy of a teacher" the commentary says,
3 Things make you worthy of a teacher: the capacity to listen in the beginning, the ability to question in the middle, and the courage to go your own way in the end.
Yehoshua Ben Perachyah teaches, "Make yourself worthy of a teacher" the commentary says,
3 Things make you worthy of a teacher: the capacity to listen in the beginning, the ability to question in the middle, and the courage to go your own way in the end.
Read
August 22, 2011Easily the most readable part of the Mishnah, and especially cool when you get to the sayings from Hillel.
May 7, 2012
Being the author, I love it! I thought I may as well start rating with this one, which I'm happy to say is in its second printing as of now (May 2012).
February 20, 2016
Very interesting. An insightful look at early Rabbinic ethics.
November 2, 2018
Wonderful jewish knowledge in here.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews