10 Commentaries That Will Change How You See Pirkei Avos FOREVER!
What is Pirkei Avos?
Pirkei Avos is a compilation of the Jewish theological and ethical teachings and proverbs from Rabbinic Jewish tradition. It is part of didactic Jewish ethical literature. Because of its contents, the name is sometimes given as Ethics of the Fathers. Pirkei Avot consists of the Mishnaic minor tractate of Avot, the second-to-last tractate in the order of Nezikin in the Mishnah, plus one additional chapter. Avot is unique in that it is the only tractate of the Mishnah dealing solely with ethical and moral principles; there is relatively little Halakha (Jewish law) in Pirkei Avot.
What is the source of the custom to engage in Pirkei Avos study on Shabbos afternoons during the summer?
From at least the time of Rav Saadia Gaon (10th century), it has been customary to study one chapter a week on each Shabbat between Passover and Shavuot; today, the tractate is generally studied on each Shabbat of the summer, from Passover to Rosh Hashanah, the entire cycle repeating a few times with doubling of chapters at the end if there are not a perfect multiple of six weeks. The tractate is therefore included in many prayer books, following Shabbat afternoon prayers.
Shulchan Arukh, Orach Chayim - 292
אומרים צדקתך ואם חל בו יום שאלו היה חול לא היו אומרים בו במנחה נפילת אפים אין אומרים צדקתך: הגה ונהגו שלא לקבוע מדרש בין מנחה למעריב (טור זוהר תרומה ע' רע"ט) אבל אומרים פרקי אבות בקיץ ושיר המעלות בחורף וכל מקום לפי מנהגו:
There are six Shabbasos between Pesach and Shavuos. But interestingly, the original Mishnah Avos only had five chapters! The sixth chapter, known as Kinyan Torah, was added later. It’s a collection of teachings about how to approach and acquire Torah wisdom, and by at least the 9th century, it had become the custom to study it on the Shabbat before Shavuos—the holiday celebrating the Giving of the Torah. Over time, it was printed together with Pirkei Avos in all editions, giving us the six-chapter cycle we know today.
10 Commentaries That Will Change How You See Pirkei Avos FOREVER!
TEN: Visions of the Fathers - Pirkei Avos with an insightful and inspiring commentary by Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski, M.D. Beautiful reading, provocative ideas, enticing stories, sound insights, acute observations it's all here in the inimitable Twerski manner. He focuses on what the Sages say to us in our daily lives, and he illustrates it beautifully with delightful anecdotes from today and the archives of Chassidic lore. It contains the complete Hebrew text of Pirkei Avot, along with an English translation and commentary.
Nine: Rabbi Wein on pirkei avos: Pirkei Avos: Teachings for Our Times
A noted historian, Rabbi Wein liberally punctuates his commentary with enlightening historical references, demonstrating a firm understanding of our era. Explanations of their original context enhance the lessons of the Sages, yet they glide right into the twenty-first century.
Eight: Chacham Ovadia Commentary on Pirkei avot by Maran Hagaon Rav Ovadiah Yosef zt”l Culled from the works of the great commentators and sages of generations.
Seven: Rav Yerucham of Kelm: His shmuessen (discoursed on ethics and improving character) were published posthumously by his students - mainly by his son Rav Simcha Zissel, in Daas Chochma U’mussar and Daas Torah and after the passing of Rav Simcha Zissel, his son, Rav Yisroel, continued his father's work. He published Sifsei Da'as and Da'as Zekanim on Avos, Shivivei Da'as on Mo'adim, and just this year, Da'as Binah on the Haggadah.
Six: Rav Hirsch - Rabbi Hirsch left in the manuscript at the time of his death a translation and explanation of the prayer book, which was subsequently published. His commentary on Pirkei Avot, which has been republished separately, is available here.
Five: Shmoneh Perakim - Author: Moses ben Maimon (Rambam)
Composed: Middle-Age Egypt, c.1157 – c.1165 CE
Eight Chapters is Rambam’s introduction to Pirkei Avos. In the introduction to the work, Rambam states that the ideas are not his invention but rather gleaned from midrashim in the Talmud and the opinions of other scholars. The work discusses ethical issues.
Rabbi Shlomo Hoffman often quotes it.
Four: Chassid Yaavetz: Yavetz, Rabbi Yosef (The Chasid, The Darshan)Rabbi Yavetz was born in Spain and left there during the Expulsion in 1492. He finally settled in Mantua, Italy, and assumed an honored place in the community. He studied Maimonides’ Guide with Abravanel, whom he considered to be the finest interpreter of that work. He wrote Chasdai HaShem, Maamar HaAchdut, and Yesod HaEmunah. He also wrote commentaries on Psalms and the Ethics of the Fathers.
Three: Ruach Chaim: In his classic work Ruach Chaim, Rav Chaim of Volozhin, a preeminent student of the Vilna Gaon and founder of the yeshivah system as we know it today, provides a profound and multifaceted commentary on Pirkei Avos, blending mystical insights, depth of thought, and fascinating chiddushim. This new English translation captures the spirit of the original while remaining accessible to the reader. Ruach Chaim offers readers a meaningful new perspective on the ancient wisdom of our Sages, providing scholars and laypeople alike with a serious introduction to Rav Chaim's timeless wisdom.
Two - Rambam on Pirkei Avos: Rabbi Moshe ben Maimon’s (Rambam) commentary was the first to be written on the entire Mishnah. Rambam wrote the commentary in Judeo-Arabic and has been translated into Hebrew. He began working on it at the age of 23 while living in Spain and completed it seven years later after settling in Egypt. It offers a running commentary on the Mishnah and often includes a Halachic ruling based on the Talmud's conclusion.
One: Rabbeinu Yonah's Commentary on Pirkei Avos. (died 1264) he was a cousin of Ramban. He is most famous for his ethical work, The Gates of Repentance (Hebrew: שערי תשובה). His commentary on Pirkei Avos was first published by Simḥah Dolitzki of Byelostok (Berlin and Altona, 1848). It was translated into English for the first time by Rabbi David Sedley of TorahLab.