Chapters of the Sages. A psychological Commentary on Pirkey Avot

The author of the comment, rabbi and scientist Reuven Bulka (Canada), represents the work as result of long-term activity in the field of teaching Judaism and psychologies.

INTRODUCTION

Talmudic treatise " Pirkei Avot " (often called sokraschonio " Avot ") means in Hebrew perovode " Ethics of the Fathers • ( Manual fathers ) . It is often referred to as "Ethics of the fathers ", which better reflects the substantial sense that one of the most famous pieces of the Hebrew alphabet , which contains the most important moral and ethical principles of Judaism. Avot (Hebrew fathers) - the most popular authors of the text of the Hebrew literature , lived and preached his moral maxims about two thousand years ago in the land of Eretz-Israel and the Jewish diaspora in the countries of the era.

Taken together, the ideas contained in " Pirkei Avot " are in addition to the deepest thoughts of the human being, set out in the sacred book of books - the Bible (Tanakh , Heb . ) , A cornerstone of Judaism, based on the other monotheistic religions of the world . Defining the idea of ​​leading a traditional Jewish way of life , a treatise " Avot " encompasses both the personal behavior of the person and his social relations , and its moral maxims indicate the path that must be followed by persons seeking to build their lives according to God's providence . Within this overall concept of the rabbis discuss the most important philosophical questions , the meaning of human life , the whole spectrum of the human mind .

The first five chapters of the treatise " Pirkei Avot " are texts from the Mishnah , the basic and the most ancient section of the Talmud (the first written text of the Mishnah is dated 220 AD ) . Each chapter is divided such ua number of very short paragraphs, also known as the Mishnah that enclose complete, brief aphoristic utterances . Some of the Mishna contain only one main idea , some - two or more .

Being one of the leading Jewish teachings on morality and lifestyle , " Pirkei Avot " is not some abstract text , but takes in a Jewish home a special place. Even those who have never read the Talmudic texts often have a definite idea of " Pirkei Avot ". This treatise is one of the sections of the prayer book on Saturday, and it is read in the Saturday worship between Passover and Rosh Hashanah . Many people in groups and independently ponder oforizmami of " Pirkei Avot " - zone day afternoon mosyats after month, year after year , trying to understand their deeper meanings and values ​​. Each generation of thinkers using the latest methodological approaches are constantly trying to deepen the understanding of ancient timeless thoughts .

For centuries, this book was written by a great many different comments . It may be a fair question , if needed one more comment on this classic text. Of course, any justification of a new comment anyway vklyuchoet a word like " But it's a completely different book ! ". Is no exception and author nostoyaschey books, claiming that his book is quite different. The main objective of this book was to try to reach an understanding of direct and cross-links within each of the Mishna , and between the Mishna. Obviously, Rabbi Yehuda Ha -Nasi - the editor of the Mishnah written code , making this treatise in the early third century , not acted arbitrarily. He had his own reasons to choose certain aphorisms , and arrange them in the order in which he did it. If some of the aphorisms are quoted with reference to certain tanaya , it means they are not only important in itself SOMI , but related in meaning. The commentary is not intended to interpret the text based on other sources , including the Talmud , he is likely trying to Expound of the Mishnah itself. Domestic and cross-links between the Mishnah discover , sometimes new and unexpected view of the nature and essence of human behavior .

Treatise " Pirkei Avot" is divided into six chapters. For each such chapter that relate to a particular area of individual and social life of the person , I offered my name.

In the first chapter , "Basic Principles : Experience the tradition ," the story is set transmission of Jewish values ​​from Sinai and through the great sages , to Rabban Shimon son Gomlielya . This chapter covers the sages views on many basic things related to the life of a Jew , such as the Torah , prayer , charity, responsibility to self and responsibility to the community

The second chapter , entitled "The Path of Life " concerns its own way , to be followed by every individual . It contains a set of social and religious establishments , as well as different interpretations concerning the relationship of the individual to the community and the material world . Statements of various sages present their views on the most important components of the human way of life .

The third chapter , entitled " The consecration of life," examines the various ways that allow us to avoid mistakes and to sanctify his stay on earth. Discusses various aspects of human existence : how chelovok eats , he says , as it relates to life, he managed to realize their potential so, how they should be implemented .

The fourth chapter , entitled "Treasury morality," considering the values ​​that form the human dignity . Required for this complex statutes and behavior concerns areas such as power, wealth , wisdom , dignity, sanctity , need a good reputation and continuous improvement of personality , as well as the need to see in this-worldly existence predugotovlenie to being in the world to come .

The fifth chapter , "Torah, History and Nature " , summing up what came before it , as it represents the culmination of the previous chapters . Fundamental role and importance of the Torah emphasizes the very fact of Creation and participation of God in human history. Deviations from the Torah lead to violations of natural processes in nature, that is a demonstration that the idea of the world was focused on the development in accordance with the Torah . We also consider the different types of personality and behavior , and provides recommendations on how to promote the progress of the individual, consistent with the requirements of the Torah , through the educational process, constructed so as to best meet these goals in every period of human life .

The sixth chapter , which, unlike the first five chapters is not the Mishnah , but represents a different section of the Talmud - Baraytu called "Giving of the Torah ." This chapter discusses in more detail the ideas that were outlined in the previous chapters and focuses attention on the fact that it forms a perfect ( in terms of the values ​​of the Torah ) personality. This way of life - the highest stage of human development - not easy to achieve , but once achieved , it embodies all the best in life.

Along with the new translation taken me basic text of the treatise " Pirkei Avot ," I hope that this comment is not beyond reasonable logic and legitimate interpretation. Comment by no means extensive, rather, very brief . Not allowing yourself to delve too , he leaves the reader a large field for reflection. Key issues addressed only indirectly , through brief references binders , developing unifying theme of each of the Mishna . I do not think that my comment answers to all questions. However, I will be completely satisfied if it would serve the cause of incentive to open new perspectives for further penetration into the meaning of one of the most popular treatises of the Talmud.

CONTENTS

foreword
prologue
Chapter 1 Basics : Perception tradition
Chapter 2: The way of life
Chapter 3 Consecration life
Chapter 4 Treasury morality
Chapter 5 Torah , history and nature
Chapter 6 Acquiring Torah

epilogue
reference department
dictionary
Compliance book titles
Bible / Tanakh
About the authors " Ethics of the Fathers "