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,

This one is a real challenge — to connect the three pieces. Part of it seems to be an ancient lesson in customer service. We are expected to smile and do more than expected.

Shammai says:

Make your study a fixed practice; say little and do much; and greet everyone with a pleasant countenance.

— Pirkei Avot 1:15

Questions to Ask:

Here is another mishnah with three parts. We must look at each part separately — and then together — to learn as much as we can from it. Study is always important, but why should it be a “fixed practice”? What does that mean? Does it matter what we study? Why or why not?

Study, according to the sages, means studying Torah. Why should we keep reading and studying Torah? There are so many other good books — does it really matter what we study?

What does it mean to “say little and do much”? What are we supposed to do? Why is it important not to say much? Can’t we help people learn if we talk to them?

Not talking too much is easier said than done. How can we learn to keep quiet and listen? Why is it important to listen?

We know that it is important to smile at people — but why? What if we don’t feel happy? Should we still smile at everyone? How does smiling make you feel better?

Part of this mishnah talks about doing for yourself, and part about doing for the outside world. How does Torah study help us in our lives?

Laura Seymour is Jewish Experiential Learning director and Camp director emeritus at the Aaron Family JCC.