Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary: Study and Discussion Guide

Pirkei Avot is the urtext of Jewish practical wisdom. In many ways, Pirkei Avot was the first recorded manifesto of social justice in Western civilization. Pirkei Avot: A Social Justice Commentary explores the text through a lens of contemporary social justice and moral philosophy, engaging both classical commentators and modern thinkers.

This discussion guide, written by Rabbi Jesse Paikin, takes on something of a dual nature: it is useful both as a guide to reading Rabbi Yanklowitz’s commentary, as well as a guide to the primary text of Pirkei Avot itself. Because Rabbi Yanklowitz’s commentary draws heavily on Talmudic primary sources, classical medieval commentaries, and modern thought, this guide also encourages thoughtful consideration of those sources, as well as Rabbi Yanklowitz’s use of them. 

Note that given the extensive nature of Pirkei Avot, this guide does not include discussion questions for every single mishnah. Given the frequent thematic overlap, related mishnayot are often grouped together to encourage considering their shared philosophical and practical relationship.

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