Start the Work — Even If You Can’t Finish It

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 Tarfon says:

“You are not required to complete the task, yet you are not free to withdraw from it.”

— Pirkei Avot 2:21

Questions to Ask:

  • Why are we not required to complete the task? Isn’t it important to finish everything we begin? Are there some jobs that you need other people to help you finish?
  • If you can’t do the entire job, should you even start it? Are there some tasks we should begin even when we know we won’t be able to finish them? What kinds of jobs would those be?
  • When the school year or camp ends, we know we must keep learning and stay connected with our friends. Are there things we feel we’ve left undone when those experiences end? Do you ever feel sad about something ending and wonder whether you should have even started it? Why do we feel that way?
  • Today, many people are very worried about the state of the world, and sometimes we think there’s nothing we can do to make a difference. What can we do to help improve the world around us?
  • Think of something you can start today — even if you may not be able to finish it. What plan could you make to ensure that someone else continues the work?
  • What does this mishnah teach us about how to live our lives each day?

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

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