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Read Ebook: Pirke Avot: The Sayings of the Jewish Fathers by Gorfinkle Joseph I Joseph Isaac Translator
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Ebook has 200 lines and 37435 words, and 4 pages
Man should repent every day of his life, for he knows not on what day he may die .
One who wishes to warm himself remains a certain distance away from the fire; if he approaches too near, he is burned; so, do not endeavor to become too intimate with the wise, as their opinion of you may change to your detriment. The "bite," the "sting," and the "hiss" represent the terribleness of the looks of the wise who have been angered.
Passion, evil nature, or evil inclination.
Misanthropy.
Joel II, 13.
Do not do what your conscience tells you is wrong, even though it does not appear to others as such; or, do not sin in secret, thinking that you will escape punishment because others do not see you.
A man cannot finish the work of the world, yet he must not yield to idleness and despair, but must do his share to the best of his ability. His reward will come in the future.
All Israel have a portion in the world to come, and it is said, "And thy people shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified".
He lived about the middle of the first century.
Cf. chapter II, 1.
He lived about 120 C.E. He was the father of Beruriah, the wife of Rabbi Meir.
Ps. I, 1. Verse 2 of this psalm continues, "But his delight is in the Law of the Lord."
Ezek. XLI, 22.
The "yoke of the kingdom" refers to the taxes and burdens exacted by the government; the "yoke of worldly care" is anxiety of the struggle for existence.
He was probably a disciple of R. Meir. See below, n. 32.
See above, n. 9.
Ex. XX, 24.
One must not interrupt his studies even to admire the beauties of nature.
He lived about 160 C.E.
Deut. IV, 9.
Deut. IV, 9.
Cf. above, chapter I, 17, "Not learning but doing is the chief thing."
A contemporary of Jochanan ben Zakkai.
Knowledge and moral excellence alone are not sufficient.
Or "be pliant of disposition."
Cf. chapter I, 15.
Cf. chapter I, 17.
Prov. IV, 2.
Maimonides interprets the last phrase as meaning to do many small deeds of charity rather than one great deed of goodness. For instance, it is better to distribute one hundred coins among one hundred people than to give them all to one person.
The world is compared to the office of a merchant.
The shop stands for the world and its enjoyments.
Man has free will, and is therefore responsible for all his acts.
For everything is recorded.
This world is merely a preparation for the next. The enjoyment of the world to come is likened by the Rabbis to a banquet, which is shared in by the good and the bad, after they have paid off their moral debts.
A contemporary of AKiba.
All Israel have a portion in the world to come, and it is said, "And thy people shall be all righteous; they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified".
I Sam. II, 30.
Cf. chapter II, 1.
Well-doing is the fruit of well-doing, and evil-doing the fruit of evil-doing.
Or "do not consider anything as being impossible."
A contemporary of Akiba.
"Name of Heaven" is a common substitute for the "name of God."
He lived about 150 C.E.
Cf. chapter I, 8.
Cf. chapter I, 13.
R. Jose ben Chalafta was a contemporary of R. Meir.
He lived about 160-220 C.E.
The judge brings upon himself the hatred of the one who is disappointed by his judgment. An erroneous judgment is equivalent to robbery. When the judge exacts an unnecessary oath, perjury may result.
He lived about the middle of the second century C.E. He was a pupil of R. Ishmael .
He lived about 140 C.E.
He lived about 150 C.E.
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