Look within, not at appearances

By Laura Seymour

Editor’s note

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 mishnayot, or teachings. With JCC summer camp keeping her busy for nine weeks, the Shabbat Lady has prepared a mishna 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,

The Mishnah of the Week is something that all ages can learn from. It reminds us to look deeper, beyond what we see on the outside. Young children can begin to understand this, but it is especially important for young teens.

Rabbi Meir says:
Do not look at the jug, but at what is in it;
there is a new jug filled with old wine,
and an old jug that does not even contain new wine.
— Pirke Avot 4:27

Questions to Ask:

  • Rabbi Meir was a wonderful teacher who learned from all people. When his teacher was called a heretic, Rabbi Meir was said to have the ability to “take the fruit and discard the peel.” What does that mean? Can we really learn from all people?
  • This mishnah seems very simple — which means we need to look very carefully. What does it mean to not look at the jug, but at what is inside? How do we do this in our daily lives? Talk with your children about how we are sometimes fooled by appearances. What are some examples?
  • What does it mean to have a new jug with old wine? Is that what you would expect? Why or why not?
  • The mishnah then says, “an old jug that does not even contain new wine.” Why such strange wording? What might the old jug contain?
  • Which would you choose — the old jug or the new jug? Why?
  • Is this mishnah similar to or different from the saying “Do not judge a book by its cover”?
  • Spend time talking with your children about different examples of this mishnah. Does it apply to people as well? How?
  • How can we apply this mishnah to our lives every day?

Laura Seymour is Jewish experiential learning director and camp director emeritus at the Aaron Family JCC.

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