Thursday 27 May 2021: Avot Today is Now on Facebook: A shameless plug for the launch of a parallel outlet for news and views on Pirkei Avot, one that is more amenable to discussion.
Tuesday 26 May 2021: Truth, Peace and Justice -- Which is the "Odd Man Out"? According to Avot 1:18, the world survives on the basis of three critically important values. Are they of equal value, though?
Sunday 23 May 2021: Links in the Chain of Tradition: why "Zakenim" and not "Shofetim"? Avot 1:1 may have good reason for categorising the transmitters of the Oral Torah from the days of Joshua till the era of Eli as "Elders" rather than "Judges"
Thursday 20 May 2021: Nothing to Do With Real Women After All? Avot 1:5's advice about not talking to women may cause offence, but it can be read quite innocently with very little effort.
Wednesday 19 May 2021: Imrei Yaakov -- another of Avot's "Forgotten Books": Rabbi Yaakov Henech Cymerman's commentary on Avot, published in 1955, seems to have sunk without trace.
Friday 14 May 2021: Bad Neighbours and Non-Existent Punctuation: Nittai HaArbeli's teaching at Avot 1:7 can be given radically different meanings if one adopts the anachronistic technique of inserting punctuation.
Thursday 13 May 2021: Fathers and Funerals: A Message for the Living: A quote from Avot opens funeral services in Jerusalem. It mentions death but is intended for those still alive.
Monday 3 May 2021: For Better or Verse: It sometimes happens that a verse cited in support of a proposition in Avot has no apparent connection with it. Avot 5:21 is an example. Need we worry?
Sunday 2 May 2021: Avot and Educational Policy: Avoiding Extremes: discussing Avot 1:1, some rabbis prefer more teachers, others say that fewer but better is the most advantageous approach.
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Avot Today blogposts for April 2021 here
Avot Today blogposts for March 2021 here
Avot Today blogposts for February 2021 here
Avot Today blogposts for January 2021 here
Avot Today blogposts for December 2020 here
Avot Today blogposts for November 2020 here
