Explore every episode of the podcast Ethics of the Fathers with Rabbi Mendel Kaplan(Perkei Avos)

Torah Aspirations - Part 2: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 6:5 Do not seek greatness for yourself, and do not lust for honor. More than you study, do. Desire not the table of kings, for your table is greater than theirs, and your crown is greater than theirs, and faithful is your Employer to pay you the rewards of your work.

Ten Miracles in Egypt Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:4 Ten miracles were performed for our forefathers in Egypt, and another ten at the sea. Ten afflictions were wrought by G-d upon the Egyptians in Egypt, and another ten at the sea.

Miracles and Trials Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:3 With ten tests our father Abraham was tested and he withstood them all--in order to make known how great our father Abraham’s love [for G-d] was.

Why Ten Part 4 of 4 - Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:1 Explore creation and the implication of the words: “The world was created by means of ten Divine utterances.”

Why Ten Part 3 of 4 - Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:1 Explore creation and the implication of the words: “The world was created by means of ten Divine utterances.”

Why Ten? Part 2 of 4 - Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:1 Explore creation and the implication of the words: “The world was created by means of ten Divine utterances.”

Why Ten? Part 1 of 4 - Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:1 Explore creation and the implication of the words: “The world was created by means of ten Divine utterances.”

The Virtue of Teshuvah Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:1 The virtue of Teshuvah: Making a change in your life and turning things around.

More then Meets the Eye Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 4:21 “Envy, lust and honor-seeking drive a man from this world.” Learn the deeper meaning behind Rabbi Eliezer Hakappar’s statement.

The Virtues of Maturity Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 4:20 Elisha ben Avuya taught “He who studies Torah as a child, to what can he be compared? To ink written on fresh paper; and he who studies Torah as an old man, to what can he be compared? To ink written on paper that has been erased”.

Everything is Seen: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:15 All is foreseen, and freedom of choice is granted. The world is judged with goodness, but in accordance with the amount of man's positive deeds.

Torah Aspirations - Part 1: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 6:5 Do not seek greatness for yourself, and do not lust for honor. More than you study, do. Desire not the table of kings, for your table is greater than theirs, and your crown is greater than theirs, and faithful is your Employer to pay you the rewards of your work.

The Preciousness of the Jew (2) Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:14

The Virtues of Humanity (1) Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:14

Safeguards : Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:13 Rabbi Akiva would say: Jesting and frivolity accustom a person to promiscuity. Tradition is a safety fence to Torah, tithing a safety fence to wealth, vows a safety fence for abstinence; a safety fence for wisdom is silence.

Ultimate Profanity: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:11 One, who profanes the kodoshim, degrades the Festivals, humiliates his friend in public, abrogates the covenant of our father Abraham, or who interprets the Torah contrary to its true intent… has no share in the World to Come.

G‑d Likes a Mentch : Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:10 One who is pleasing to his fellow men is pleasing to G‑d. But one who is not pleasing to his fellow men is not pleasing to G‑d.

Forgetfulness: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:8 Rabbi Dusta'i the son of Rabbi Yannai would say in the name of Rabbi Meir: Anyone who forgets even a single word of his learning, the Torah considers it as if…

Piety Precedes Wisdom: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:9 Rabbi Chanina the son of Dosa would say: One whose fear of sin takes precedence to his wisdom, his wisdom endures. But one whose wisdom takes precedence to his fear of sin, his wisdom does not endure.

Ten Jews & G-d's Presence: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:6 Rabbi Chalafta ben Dosa of Kfar Chananya explained “If ten people sit together and occupy themselves with Torah, the Divine Presence rests among them”

The Yoke of Torah: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:4 Rabbi Chanina the son of Chachinaey taught “One who is awake at night of travels alone on the road, and turns his heart to idleness, indeed he endangers his life”

Welfare of the Government: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:2 Rabbi Chanina the deputy High-Priest taught “Pray for the welfare of the government, for were it not for the fear of it, men would swallow one another alive”.

Who Is Greater Part IV: Part 4 of 4 - Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 6:6 “Torah is greater than priesthood or royalty”.

Three Things to Know: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 3:1 Akavya ben Mahalalel said, “Reflect upon three things and you will not come to sin: 1. Know from where you came 2. Know where you are going 3. And before whom you are destined to give an accounting for you actions.

Community Matters Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 2:2 “All who occupy themselves with the affairs of the community shall be engaged with them for the sake of G-d" -- Why you should or shouldn’t be involved in community matters.

Justice, Truth and Peace: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:18 By three things is the world sustained: law, truth and peace. As is stated: "Truth, and a judgment of peace, you should administer at your [city] gates.''

The Value of Silence: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:17 His son, Shimon, would say: All my life I have been raised amongst the wise and I have found nothing better for the body than silence. The essential thing is not study, but deed. And one who speaks excessively brings on sin.

Choose a Path for Yourself: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:16 Rabban Gamliel would say: Assume for yourself a master; stay away from doubt; and do not accustom yourself to tithe by estimation.

To Love Every Jew: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:12 Hillel would say: Be of the disciples of Aaron--a lover of peace, a pursuer of peace, one who loves the creatures and draws them close to Torah.

The World’s Tripod: Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:2 Shimon the Righteous was among the last surviving members of the Great assembly. He would say: The world stands on three things: Torah, the service of G-d, and deeds of kindness.

Pirkei Avot - Ethics of the Fathers - Ch. 1, Mishnah 1, Lesson 3 Part 3 Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:1 By Mendel Kaplan

Pirkei Avot - Ethics of the Fathers - Ch. 1, Mishnah 1, Lesson 2 Part 2 Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 1:1 By Mendel Kaplan

Pirkei Avot - Ethics of Our Fathers - Ch. 1, Mishnah 1, Lesson 1 Rabbi Mendel Kaplan

Who Is Greater Part III: Part 3 of 4 - Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 6:6 “Torah is greater than priesthood or royalty”.

Who Is Greater Part II: Part 2 of 4 - Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 6:6 "Torah is greater than priesthood or royalty”.

Who Is Greater Part I: Part 1 of 4 - Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 6:6 “Torah is greater than priesthood or royalty”.

Ten Miracles in the Holy Temple (2) Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:5 Ten miracles were performed for our forefathers in the Holy Temple.

Ten Miracles in the Holy Temple (1) Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:5 Ten miracles were performed for our forefathers in the Holy Temple.

Ten Tests Ethics of Our Fathers: Avot 5:4 With ten tests our forefathers tested G-d in the desert, as is stated (Numbers 14:22), "They tested Me these ten times, and did not hearken to My voice."

Rabbi Eliezer Chisma would say: the laws of kinin (bird offerings) and the laws of menstrual periods--these, these are the meat of Halachah (Torah law). The calculations of solar seasons and gematria are the condiments of wisdom.

Rabbi Eliezer the son of Azariah would say: If there is no Torah, there is no common decency; if there is no common decency, there is no Torah.

The collection-officers make their rounds every day and exact payment from man, with his knowledge and without his knowledge

“It is good to combine the study of Torah with an occupation” -- Which is more important, studying Torah or doing a profession.

“Be as careful in minor commandments as of a major one” -- What does G-d judge us by: the actual achievements or the work and emotion that is put into performing the commandments?

“Be as careful in minor commandments as of a major one” -- What defines larger or smaller commandments?

In this class you will learn some historical context to the authoring of the mishnah and the meaning of the Sages teaching that one should lead a balanced lifestyle.