By Laura Seymour
This summer, the Shabbat Lady is challenging your family to study the Talmudic tractate known as Pirke Avot, Chapters of the Sages. Pirke Avot is comprised of six chapters and more than 150 mishnahyot, or teachings. With JCC summer camp keeping her busy for nine weeks, the Shabbat Lady has prepared a mishnah for each week. Spend time each Shabbat talking about the mishnah using the questions below as a guide.
Begin by reading the words, then break down the parts — and trust that even young children can contribute meaningful thoughts to the discussion. Listening to one another is the beginning of learning.
Dear Families,
Yet another well-known mishnah with a message that is especially important today. How often do we say that we can’t do everything, so we end up doing nothing? This mishnah reminds us to take the first step.
Rabbi Masya ben Charash says:
Initiate a greeting to every person; and be a tail to lions,
rather than a head to foxes. — Pirke Avot 4:20
Questions to ask:
• Every mishnah is said by some sage. Why is it important to tell who said what? Does it matter to you to know who said it? Today it is illegal not to tell where you got your information. Why did the ancient rabbis think it was so important?
• The first part of this mishnah seems simple — say hello to everyone. Why is that important? To “initiate a greeting” means to be the first one to say hello. Why should you be the first one? How should you greet people?
• Here is the hard part: “Be a tail to lions, rather than a head to foxes.” Think about each animal. What is a lion? Why would you want to be a tail to a lion? What is a fox? It seems like the head would be a better part to be — why would you not want to be a head to foxes? What is it about foxes and lions that is different? Which one would you like to be like?
• What does the first part of the mishnah have to do with the second part? Think about how we view ourselves. If we think we are better than another, would we be likely to greet them?
• What does it mean to be humble? How can we be satisfied with where we are and who we are? Is it better to be a tail to lions…
Laura Seymour is Jewish Experiential Learning director and Camp director emeritus at the Aaron Family JCC.