Avot in retrospect: a summary of last month's blogposts

In case you missed them, here's a list of items posted on Avot Today in June 2020:

Monday, 29 June 2020: More on peace -- in the big world and the little one. When Rabbi Shimon ben Gamaliel talks of the three things that keep the world going, just he just mean the world -- or does he also mean the "little world" of each individual?

Sunday, 28 June 2020: From where do we learn the value of peace? Which mishnah in Avot best reflects how important peace is for us?

Thursday, 25 June 2020: A useful gift? The commentary on Pirkei Avot by Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz is very handsome, and accessible despite its 400-page length.

Wednesday, 24 June 2020: You don't say! Slander famously kills three people: the speaker, the listener and the person who is spoken about. But can you find this in Avot?

Tuesday, 23 June 2020: How to greet (or not greet) others: a handy guide. Avot has lots to say about greeting others: the main points are schematised here.

Sunday, 21 June 2020: Are there still any astronomers around? In Avot 3:23, Rabbi Elazar Chisma mentions that astronomy is an "appetizer" to Torah study, along with gematria. Gematria is still keenly pursued, but does anyone today still follow astronomy?

Saturday 20 June 2020: Responding to a friendly greeting. An awkward encounter -- not in accordance with Avot.

Thursday, 18 June 2020: Does popularity with man bring about popularity with God? Many people assume that this is so -- but can it be?

Tuesday, 16 June 2020: Humble: what we want everyone else to be. Do we overlook the fact that we ask to be humble -- and what does this mean to us?

Monday, 15 June 2020: Avot and a vote ... A recent letter to the Cleveland Jewish News discusses voting. What does this have to do with Hillel?

Saturday, 13 June 2020: Loving thy neighbour: the Torah got there first. Another example of a mis-sourced Torah principle.

Thursday, 11 June 2020: Four types of person: a parody of Perek. An amusing use of the style of Avot to convey a serious point.

Tuesday, 9 June 2020: The person who forgets any of his Torah learning: request for clarification. Can anyone help trace the author of a comment on a mishnah?

Sunday, 7 June 2020: Responding to public disorder. The killing of George Floyd reverberated round the world. What mishnayot in Avot relate to the public order issues that followed it?

Friday, 5 June 2020: Half-quotes, misquotes and false attributions.  It's easy to make mistakes -- especially if you don't check your mishnah first!

Tuesday, 2 June 2020: Smiling through the mask. Some thoughts on Avot 1:15 and on greeting people with a smile when they can't see it.