Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers)

Pirkei Avot consists of teachings initially assembled c. 200 CE and forms a small part of the Mishnah, a compilation of Jewish practices developed in response to the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. Ethical issues play such a central role in Pirkei Avot that early translators referred to it as Ethics of the Fathers.

Because the 123 teachings in Pirkei Avot are not arranged by topic and often appear unrelated to one another, its broader conceptual framework-the "big picture"-can easily be overlooked. This book addresses that challenge by approaching Pirkei Avot thematically. It examines key topics, including the Oral Torah, the world to come, the study of Torah, and a range of ethical concerns; and analyzes the connections among teachings across the text. In doing so, it offers readers a clearer sense of structure and a more coherent narrative understanding of Pirkei Avot as a unified work.