Chapter Previewהַקְדָּמָה
We begin our learning of Pirkei Avos by establishing the golden chain of the mesorah, tracing how Moshe Rabbeinu received the Torah at Sinai and passed it down through the generations. This holy transmission went from Yehoshua to the elders, the prophets, and the Men of the Great Assembly, showing us that our oral tradition is unbroken and divine. From there, the chapter introduces the early pairs of Sages, the Zugos, who carried the torch of Torah with immense holiness.
As we delve into their teachings, we find fundamental guidance for our daily avodah and yiras Shamayim. The Sages guide us on how to build a home of Torah, how to conduct ourselves in judgment, how to treat our fellow Jews with warmth, and how to guard our speech. We are introduced to the timeless wisdom of Hillel and Shammai, who teach us the path of peace, diligence in learning, and serving Hashem with absolute sincerity.
All introductions, summaries, and contextual notes are the editor's commentary and are not part of the original text.אַלע הַקְדָּמוֹת, סִכּוּמִים, און הערות זענען דעם רעדאַקטאָר'ס באַמערקונגען און זענען נישט קיין טייל פונעם אָריגינעלן טעקסט.
מִשְׁנָה א
הַשַּׁלְשֶׁלֶת שֶׁל קַבָּלַת הַתּוֹרָה וְהַנְהָגַת הַחֲכָמִיםMishna 1 · The Chain of Torah Transmission and the Three Directives of the Great Assembly
משֶׁהMosheקִבֵּלreceivedתּוֹרָהTorahמִסִּינַי,from Sinaiוּמְסָרָהּand transmitted itלִיהוֹשֻׁעַ,to Yehoshuaוִיהוֹשֻׁעַand Yehoshuaלִזְקֵנִים,to the eldersוּזְקֵנִיםand the eldersלִנְבִיאִים,to the prophetsוּנְבִיאִיםand the prophetsמְסָרוּהָtransmitted itלְאַנְשֵׁיto the Men ofכְנֶסֶתthe Assemblyהַגְּדוֹלָה.the GreatהֵםTheyאָמְרוּsaidשְׁלשָׁהthreeדְבָרִים,thingsהֱווּBeמְתוּנִיםdeliberateבַּדִּין,in judgmentוְהַעֲמִידוּand establishתַלְמִידִיםdisciplesהַרְבֵּה,manyוַעֲשׂוּand makeסְיָגa fenceלַתּוֹרָה:for the Torah
This Mishnah establishes the unbroken chain of Torah transmission from Sinai down to the Sages of the Great Assembly, who provided foundational guidance for judges and teachers.
מִשְׁנָה ב
הַדְּבָרִים שֶׁעֲלֵיהֶם הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵדMishna 2 · The Three Pillars Upon Which the World Stands
שִׁמְעוֹןShimonהַצַּדִּיקthe Righteousהָיָהwasמִשְּׁיָרֵיfrom the remnants ofכְנֶסֶתthe Assemblyהַגְּדוֹלָה.the Greatהוּאheהָיָהwouldאוֹמֵר,sayעַלonשְׁלשָׁהthreeדְבָרִיםthingsהָעוֹלָםthe worldעוֹמֵד,standsעַלonהַתּוֹרָהthe Torahוְעַלand onהָעֲבוֹדָהthe Temple serviceוְעַלand onגְּמִילוּתacts ofחֲסָדִים:kindness
Shimon the Righteous teaches that the existence of the world depends upon Torah study, the Temple service, and acts of lovingkindness.
מִשְׁנָה ג
עֲבוֹדַת הַשֵּׁם מֵאַהֲבָה וּמוֹרָא שָׁמַיִםMishna 3 · Serving Hashem Out of Love and the Fear of Heaven
אַנְטִיגְנוֹסAntigonusאִישׁa man ofסוֹכוֹSochoקִבֵּלreceivedמִשִּׁמְעוֹןfrom Shimonהַצַּדִּיק.the Righteousהוּאheהָיָהwouldאוֹמֵר,sayאַלdo notתִּהְיוּbeכַעֲבָדִיםlike servantsהַמְשַׁמְּשִׁיןwho serveאֶת—הָרַבthe masterעַלonמְנָתconditionלְקַבֵּלto receiveפְּרָס,a rewardאֶלָּאbutהֱווּbeכַעֲבָדִיםlike servantsהַמְשַׁמְּשִׁיןwho serveאֶת—הָרַבthe masterשֶׁלֹּאnotעַלonמְנָתconditionלְקַבֵּלto receiveפְּרָס,a rewardוִיהִיand let beמוֹרָאthe fear ofשָׁמַיִםHeavenעֲלֵיכֶם:upon you
Antigonus of Socho teaches that one should serve Hashem without the expectation of receiving a reward, while maintaining a constant fear of Heaven.
מִשְׁנָה ד
קַבָּלַת הַתּוֹרָה וּכְבוֹד חֲכָמִיםMishna 4 · The Transmission of Torah and Honoring the Sages
יוֹסֵיYoseבֶןbenיוֹעֶזֶרYoezerאִישׁman ofצְרֵדָהZeredahוְיוֹסֵיand YoseבֶןbenיוֹחָנָןYochananאִישׁman ofיְרוּשָׁלַיִםYerushalayimקִבְּלוּreceivedמֵהֶם.from themיוֹסֵיYoseבֶןbenיוֹעֶזֶרYoezerאִישׁman ofצְרֵדָהZeredahאוֹמֵר,saysיְהִיlet beבֵיתְךָyour houseבֵיתa house ofוַעַדmeetingלַחֲכָמִים,for the Sagesוֶהֱוֵיand beמִתְאַבֵּקattaching yourselfבַּעֲפַרin the dust ofרַגְלֵיהֶם,their feetוֶהֱוֵיand beשׁוֹתֶהdrinkingבְצָמָאwith thirstאֶת—דִּבְרֵיהֶם:their words
Yose ben Yoezer and Yose ben Yochanan transmit the tradition, advising one to make their home a gathering place for Sages.
מִשְׁנָה ה
הַכְנָסַת אוֹרְחִים וּמִעוּט שִׂיחָה עִם הָאִשָּׁהMishna 5 · Hospitality to the Poor and Limiting Conversation with Women
יוֹסֵיYoseבֶןson ofיוֹחָנָןYochananאִישׁa man ofיְרוּשָׁלַיִםYerushalayimאוֹמֵר,saysיְהִיlet beבֵיתְךָyour houseפָתוּחַopenלִרְוָחָה,wideוְיִהְיוּand let beעֲנִיִּיםpoor peopleבְּנֵיmembers ofבֵיתֶךָ,your householdוְאַלand do notתַּרְבֶּהincreaseשִׂיחָהconversationעִםwithהָאִשָּׁה.the womanבְּאִשְׁתּוֹwith his wifeאָמְרוּ,they saidקַלa lightוָחֹמֶרand heavyבְּאֵשֶׁתwith the wife ofחֲבֵרוֹ.his fellowמִכָּאןfrom hereאָמְרוּsaidחֲכָמִים,the Sagesכָּלallזְמַןthe timeשֶׁאָדָםthat a manמַרְבֶּהincreasesשִׂיחָהconversationעִםwithהָאִשָּׁה,the womanגּוֹרֵםhe causesרָעָהevilלְעַצְמוֹ,to himselfוּבוֹטֵלand desistsמִדִּבְרֵיfrom words ofתוֹרָה,Torahוְסוֹפוֹand his endיוֹרֵשׁhe inheritsגֵּיהִנֹּם:Gehinnom
Yose ben Yochanan teaches the importance of keeping a home open to the poor and warns against excessive conversation with women, which distracts from Torah study.
מִשְׁנָה ו
עֲשֵׂה לְךָ רַב וּקְנֵה לְךָ חָבֵרMishna 6 · Appointing a Teacher, Acquiring a Companion, and Judging Others Favorably
יְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaבֶּןson ofפְּרַחְיָהPerachyahוְנִתַּאיand Nittaiהָאַרְבֵּלִיthe Arbeliteקִבְּלוּreceivedמֵהֶם.from themיְהוֹשֻׁעַYehoshuaבֶּןson ofפְּרַחְיָהPerachyahאוֹמֵר,saysעֲשֵׂהmakeלְךָfor yourselfרַב,a teacherוּקְנֵהand acquireלְךָfor yourselfחָבֵר,a companionוֶהֱוֵיand beדָןjudgingאֶת—כָּלeveryהָאָדָםmanלְכַףto the scale ofזְכוּת:merit
This Mishnah teaches the importance of spiritual mentorship, friendship, and giving others the benefit of the doubt.
מִשְׁנָה ז
הַרְחָקָה מִשָּׁכֵן רָע וּמֵרָשָׁעMishna 7 · Distancing Oneself from an Evil Neighbor and the Wicked
נִתַּאיNittaiהָאַרְבֵּלִיthe Arbeliteאוֹמֵר,saysהַרְחֵקdistance yourselfמִשָּׁכֵןfrom a neighborרָע,who is evilוְאַלand do notתִּתְחַבֵּרassociateלָרָשָׁע,with the wickedוְאַלand do notתִּתְיָאֵשׁdespairמִןofהַפֻּרְעָנוּת:retribution
Nittai the Arbelite warns against associating with bad influences and reminds us that divine justice is inevitable.
מִשְׁנָה ח
הַנְהָגַת הַדַּיָּן עִם בַּעֲלֵי הַדִּיןMishna 8 · The Conduct of a Judge Toward Litigants
יְהוּדָהYehudahבֶןson ofטַבַּאיTabbaiוְשִׁמְעוֹןand Shimonבֶּןson ofשָׁטָחShetachקִבְּלוּreceivedמֵהֶם.from themיְהוּדָהYehudahבֶןson ofטַבַּאיTabbaiאוֹמֵר,saysאַלdo notתַּעַשׂmakeעַצְמְךָyourselfכְעוֹרְכֵיlike the arrangers ofהַדַּיָּנִין.the judgesוּכְשֶׁיִּהְיוּand when areבַעֲלֵיthe masters ofדִינִיןjudgmentעוֹמְדִיםstandingלְפָנֶיךָ,before youיִהְיוּthey should beבְעֵינֶיךָin your eyesכִרְשָׁעִים.like wicked onesוּכְשֶׁנִּפְטָרִיםand when they are dismissedמִלְּפָנֶיךָ,from before youיִהְיוּthey should beבְעֵינֶיךָin your eyesכְזַכָּאִין,like innocent onesכְּשֶׁקִּבְּלוּwhen they acceptedעֲלֵיהֶםupon themselvesאֶת—הַדִּין:the judgment
Yehudah ben Tabbai teaches that a judge must remain completely impartial, avoiding advocacy and viewing both parties equally during and after the trial.
מִשְׁנָה ט
דְּרִישָׁה וַחֲקִירָה שֶׁל עֵדִים וּזְהִירוּת בְּדִבְרֵי הַדַּיָּנִיםMishna 9 · Thorough Interrogation of Witnesses and Caution in the Words of Judges
שִׁמְעוֹןShimonבֶּןson ofשָׁטָחShetachאוֹמֵר,saysהֱוֵיbeמַרְבֶּהmuchלַחְקֹרto investigateאֶת—הָעֵדִים,the witnessesוֶהֱוֵיand beזָהִירcarefulבִּדְבָרֶיךָ,with your wordsשֶׁמָּאlestמִתּוֹכָםfrom within themיִלְמְדוּthey will learnלְשַׁקֵּר:to lie
Shimon ben Shetach warns judges to cross-examine witnesses thoroughly and to speak carefully so as not to inadvertently teach them how to fabricate testimony.
מִשְׁנָה י
אַהֲבַת הַמְּלָאכָה וּשְׂנִיאַת הָרַבָּנוּתMishna 10 · Loving Work and Shunning Lordship and Government Intimacy
שְׁמַעְיָהShemaiahוְאַבְטַלְיוֹןand Abtalionקִבְּלוּreceivedמֵהֶם.from themשְׁמַעְיָהShemaiahאוֹמֵר,saysאֱהֹבloveאֶת—הַמְּלָאכָה,workוּשְׂנָאand hateאֶת—הָרַבָּנוּת,lordshipוְאַלand do notתִּתְוַדַּעmake yourself knownלָרָשׁוּת:to the ruling authority
Shemaiah and Abtalion teach the importance of honest labor, avoiding positions of power, and keeping a safe distance from the ruling authorities.
מִשְׁנָה יא
אַזְהָרָה לַחֲכָמִים לְהִזָּהֵר בְּדִבְרֵיהֶם מִפְּנֵי חִלּוּל הַשֵּׁםMishna 11 · A Warning to Sages to Guard Their Words to Prevent Desecration of Heaven's Name
אַבְטַלְיוֹןAvtalyonאוֹמֵר,saysחֲכָמִים,Sagesהִזָּהֲרוּbe carefulבְדִבְרֵיכֶם,with your wordsשֶׁמָּאlestתָחוּבוּyou will obligateחוֹבַתthe obligation ofגָּלוּתexileוְתִגְלוּand you will be exiledלִמְקוֹםto a place ofמַיִםwatersהָרָעִים,the evilוְיִשְׁתּוּand they will drinkהַתַּלְמִידִיםthe disciplesהַבָּאִיםwho comeאַחֲרֵיכֶםafter youוְיָמוּתוּ,and they will dieוְנִמְצָאand it will be foundשֵׁםthe Name ofשָׁמַיִםHeavenמִתְחַלֵּל:is profaned
Avtalyon warns Torah scholars to speak with extreme precision so that heretical disciples do not misinterpret their words and stray after false doctrines.
מִשְׁנָה יב
הַנְהָגַת הִלֵּל לֶאֱהֹב שָׁלוֹם וּלְקָרֵב אֶת הַבְּרִיּוֹתMishna 12 · The Conduct of Hillel to Love Peace and Draw Creations Close to Torah
הִלֵּלHillelוְשַׁמַּאיand Shammaiקִבְּלוּreceivedמֵהֶם.from themהִלֵּלHillelאוֹמֵר,saysהֱוֵיbeמִתַּלְמִידָיוfrom the disciplesשֶׁלofאַהֲרֹן,Aharonאוֹהֵבlovingשָׁלוֹםpeaceוְרוֹדֵףand pursuingשָׁלוֹם,peaceאוֹהֵבlovingאֶת—הַבְּרִיּוֹתthe creationsוּמְקָרְבָןand drawing them closeלַתּוֹרָה:to the Torah
Hillel teaches that one should emulate Aharon the Kohen Gadol by actively pursuing peace and bringing people closer to the Torah through love.
מִשְׁנָה יג
הַסַּכָּנָה בְּגַאֲוָה וּבְבִטּוּל תּוֹרָהMishna 13 · The Danger of Seeking Fame and Neglecting Torah Study
הוּאHeהָיָהused toאוֹמֵר,sayנָגֵדone who makes greatשְׁמָא,his nameאָבֵדdestroysשְׁמֵהּ.his nameוּדְלֹאand one who does notמוֹסִיף,addיָסֵף.ceasesוּדְלֹאand one who does notיָלֵיף,learnקְטָלָאdeathחַיָּב.deservesוּדְאִשְׁתַּמֵּשׁand one who makes useבְּתָגָא,of the crownחָלֵף:passes away
This Mishnah warns against using Torah knowledge for self-aggrandizement and emphasizes the necessity of continuous study.
מִשְׁנָה יד
הַחוֹבָה לִפְעֹל בְּעַצְמוֹ וּלְלֹא דִּחוּיMishna 14 · The Obligation of Personal Responsibility and Avoiding Procrastination
הוּאHeהָיָהused toאוֹמֵר,sayאִםIfאֵיןnotאֲנִיIלִי,for myselfמִיwhoלִי.is for meוּכְשֶׁאֲנִיAnd when I amלְעַצְמִי,for myself aloneמָהwhatאֲנִי.am IוְאִםAnd ifלֹאnotעַכְשָׁיו,nowאֵימָתָי:when
Hillel teaches that a person must take personal responsibility for their own spiritual growth and act without delay.
מִשְׁנָה טו
קְבִיעוּת הַתּוֹרָה, מִעוּט דִּבּוּר וְהַסְבָּרַת פָּנִיםMishna 15 · Making Torah Study Fixed, Speaking Little and Doing Much, and Welcoming Everyone Warmly
שַׁמַּאיShammaiאוֹמֵר,saysעֲשֵׂהmakeתוֹרָתְךָyour Torahקֶבַע.fixedאֱמֹרsayמְעַטlittleוַעֲשֵׂהand doהַרְבֵּה,muchוֶהֱוֵיand beמְקַבֵּלreceivingאֶת—כָּלeveryהָאָדָםpersonבְּסֵבֶרwith a cheerfulפָּנִיםexpression ofיָפוֹת:face
Shammai teaches the importance of establishing a fixed schedule for Torah study, prioritizing actions over words, and greeting every person with a pleasant and welcoming countenance.
מִשְׁנָה טז
עֲשֵׂה לְךָ רַב וְהַרְחָקָה מִן הַסָּפֵקMishna 16 · Appointing a Teacher and Avoiding Doubt and Estimations in Tithing
רַבָּןRabbanגַּמְלִיאֵלGamlielהָיָהwouldאוֹמֵר,sayעֲשֵׂהmakeלְךָfor yourselfרַב,a teacherוְהִסְתַּלֵּקand remove yourselfמִןfromהַסָּפֵק,doubtוְאַלand do notתַּרְבֶּהincreaseלְעַשֵּׂרto titheאֹמָדוֹת:by estimation
Rabban Gamliel teaches the importance of establishing a halachic authority to resolve doubts and avoiding guesswork when performing mitzvos like tithing.
מִשְׁנָה יז
מַעֲלַת הַשְּׁתִיקָה וְהַמַּעֲשֶׂה עַל פְּנֵי הַדִּבּוּרMishna 17 · The Virtue of Silence and Action Over Mere Words
שִׁמְעוֹןShimonבְּנוֹhis sonאוֹמֵר,saysכָּלallיָמַיmy daysגָּדַלְתִּיI grew upבֵיןamongהַחֲכָמִים,the Sagesוְלֹאand notמָצָאתִיdid I findלַגּוּףfor the bodyטוֹבbetterאֶלָּאthanשְׁתִיקָה.silenceוְלֹאand notהַמִּדְרָשׁthe studyהוּאisהָעִקָּר,the main thingאֶלָּאbutהַמַּעֲשֶׂה.the actionוְכָלand anyoneהַמַּרְבֶּהwho increasesדְבָרִים,wordsמֵבִיאbringsחֵטְא:sin
Shimon the son of Rabban Gamliel teaches that silence is the best path for the body, and that practical action is superior to mere study and excessive speech.
מִשְׁנָה יח
הַדִּין הָאֱמֶת וְהַשָּׁלוֹם שֶׁהָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד עֲלֵיהֶםMishna 18 · Justice Truth and Peace Upon Which the World Stands
רַבָּןRabbanשִׁמְעוֹןShimonבֶּןbenגַּמְלִיאֵלGamlielאוֹמֵר,saysעַלonשְׁלשָׁהthreeדְבָרִיםthingsהָעוֹלָםthe worldעוֹמֵד,standsעַלonהַדִּיןjusticeוְעַלand onהָאֱמֶתtruthוְעַלand onהַשָּׁלוֹם,peaceשֶׁנֶּאֱמַרas it is saidזכריהZechariahח8אֱמֶתtruthוּמִשְׁפַּטand judgment ofשָׁלוֹםpeaceשִׁפְטוּjudgeבְּשַׁעֲרֵיכֶם:in your gates
Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel teaches that the preservation of human society depends upon the three pillars of justice, truth, and peace.
Chapter Summaryסִכּוּם
The chapter opens with the Men of the Great Assembly and Shimon the Righteous establishing the pillars of the world, followed by Antigonus of Socho's warning to serve Hashem without expecting reward. We then progress through the teachings of the Zugos: Yose ben Yoezer and Yose ben Yochanan on bringing Sages and the poor into our homes; Yehoshua ben Perachiah and Nittai the Arbelite on acquiring teachers and avoiding evil neighbors; Yehudah ben Tabbai and Shimon ben Shetach on careful justice; and Shemaiah and Abtalion on avoiding the ruling power and guarding one's words. Finally, Hillel and Shammai teach us to pursue peace, fix our Torah study, and receive everyone with a pleasant countenance, leading into the instructions of Rabban Gamaliel and his son Shimon on silence and action, and concluding with Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel's declaration that the world stands on justice, truth, and peace.
לְמַעֲשֶׂהWhat To Take Home
My dear friend, look at how this first chapter of Pirkei Avos begins. It does not start with abstract philosophies, but with a chain of transmission: Moshe received the Torah from Sinai and passed it down, generation after generation, until it reached us. This tells us that our Torah is not a theory; it is a living, breathing legacy of connection. When you learn, you are not just reading a book, you are joining a chain of holy souls. And what do these sages tell us? They tell us that the world stands on Torah, avodah, and gemilus chasadim, and that the ultimate goal of all our learning is not just to speak, but to do. Shimon his son says it clearly: 'Study is not the most important thing, but actions.'
Think about Shammai's golden rule: 'Say little, but do much, and receive all men with a pleasant countenance.' How often do we promise ourselves or others big things, only to fall short? The Torah wants us to build our lives on quiet, solid action. When you greet another Yid with a warm, genuine smile, you are literally sustaining the world. You are bringing the peace and truth that Rabban Shimon ben Gamaliel says keeps the world standing.
Let us also take to heart the famous words of Hillel: 'If I am not for myself, who is for me? But if I am for my own self, what am I? And if not now, when?' We cannot wait for someone else to do our avodah for us, nor can we live only for ourselves. We must step up, take responsibility for our spiritual growth, and do it today, without putting it off.
Today, choose one small, concrete action instead of just talking about it. When you meet someone, greet them with a genuine, warm smile and a pleasant countenance, and make a fixed five minutes to learn Torah today without any distractions.