Joseph G. Rosenstein
Pirkei Avot consists of teachings initially assembled c. 200 CE, a small part of the Mishnah, a compilation of Jewish practices necessitated by the destruction of the Temple in 70 CE. Ethical issues play such a large role in Pirkei Avot that early translators called it Ethics of the Fathers. In Pirkei Avot, one teaching typically is unrelated to the next teaching; the same is true in almost every commentary. 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. Pirkei Avot: The Big Picture 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. It focuses on the thematic connections in Pirkei Avot and provides a narrative flow that readers will find valuable. It offers readers a clearer sense of structure and a more coherent understanding of Pirkei Avot as a unified work.- Pirkei Avot: The Big Picture focuses on the major themes of Pirkei Avot, including the oral Torah, the world to come, the study of Torah, and ethical issues- Unlike other commentaries, it does not discuss the mishnayot (teachings) in the order in which they appear; instead, it connects and discusses together mishnayot that have a common theme even though they are not near to each other in the text of Pirkei Avot- It discusses the major developments in Judaism in the generations following the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem, as they are reflected in Pirkei Avot- One major focus of the book is on ethics; in this extended chapter, the general non- directive statements in Pirkei Avot are converted into 90 action-oriented ethical principles- The 90 ethical principles are divided into 16 coherent groups and the essay discussing each group ends with a kavvanah (short meditation) to assist readers who intend to implement the ethical principles in that group in their own lives 6
