{"product_id":"pirkei-avot-ethics-of-the-fathers-the-big-picture-9798897831463","title":"Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers): The Big Picture","description":"\u003cp\u003ePirkei 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 \u003ci\u003eEthics of the Fathers\u003c\/i\u003e. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn Pirkei Avot, one teaching typically is unrelated to the next teaching; the same is true in almost every commentary. Because the 123 teachings in \u003ci\u003ePirkei Avot\u003c\/i\u003e are not arranged by topic and often appear unrelated to one another, its broader conceptual framework--the \"big picture\"--can easily be overlooked. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003ePirkei Avot: The Big Picture\u003c\/i\u003e addresses that challenge by approaching \u003ci\u003ePirkei Avot\u003c\/i\u003e 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 \u003ci\u003ePirkei Avot\u003c\/i\u003e as a unified work.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- \u003ci\u003ePirkei Avot: The Big Picture\u003c\/i\u003e focuses on the major themes of Pirkei Avot, including the oral Torah, the world to come, the study of Torah, and ethical issues\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- 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\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- 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\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- 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\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e- 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\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eBinding Type:\u003c\/b\u003e Hardcover\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Academic Studies Press\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 07\/14\/2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN:\u003c\/b\u003e 9798897831463\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 636\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 2.66lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 9.61h x 6.69w x 1.38d","brand":"Joseph G. Rosenstein","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52934154846389,"sku":"9798897831463","price":101.96,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0473\/0804\/6492\/files\/img_41ae19c9-6ee5-479f-b3a5-e9e3f1657a79.jpg?v=1785912541","url":"https:\/\/pastforward.org\/products\/pirkei-avot-ethics-of-the-fathers-the-big-picture-9798897831463","provider":"Past Forward","version":"1.0","type":"link"}