Rabbi Dunner introduces the second chapter of Pirkei Avot with a detailed biography of “Rebbi” – Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi, the redactor of the Mishna, whose influence on Jewish life cannot be overstated, and reverberates to this day. In the legacy recorded in his name for Pirkei Avot, Rebbi instructs us to do that which is … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 18 – FINDING THE MIDDLE GROUND (VIDEO)”
Rabbi Dunner introduces the second chapter of Pirkei Avot with a detailed biography of “Rebbi” – Rabbi Yehuda Hanassi, the redactor of the Mishna, whose influence on Jewish life cannot be overstated, and reverberates to this day. In the legacy recorded in his name for Pirkei Avot, Rebbi instructs us to do that which is … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 18 – FINDING THE MIDDLE GROUND”
Rabbi Shimon, the son of Rabban Gamliel, warns against exaggerated piety, explaining that it always leads to sin. Rabbi Dunner explains what this means, using the Bartenura commentary to present a path in Judaism that understands extra boundaries in context, based on the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. And in … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 17 – TOO MANY WORDS (VIDEO)”
Rabbi Shimon, the son of Rabban Gamliel, warns against exaggerated piety, explaining that it always leads to sin. Rabbi Dunner explains what this means, using the Bartenura commentary to present a path in Judaism that understands extra boundaries in context, based on the story of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. And in … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 17 – TOO MANY WORDS”
Rabbi Dunner continues with Mishna 16 in the first chapter of Pirkei Avot, discussing the great Rabban Gamliel, who advocates decisiveness and clarity, even if it occasionally leads to mistakes. In Mishna 17, his son Rabbi Shimon notes the importance of silence and circumspection, adding that ultimately “actions speak louder than words”.
Rabbi Dunner continues with Mishna 16 in the first chapter of Pirkei Avot, discussing the great Rabban Gamliel, who advocates decisiveness and clarity, even if it occasionally leads to mistakes. In Mishna 17, his son Rabbi Shimon notes the importance of silence and circumspection, adding that ultimately “actions speak louder than words”.
Rabban Gamliel the Elder was a towering personality, the grandson of Hillel who led the Sanhedrin in the very difficult late-Second Temple period. The first to be quoted in Pirkei Avot neither as part of a pair, nor as a “recipient” of previous generations, he advises every person “asei lecha rav” — to find a … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 15 – APPOINT YOUR RABBI (VIDEO)”
Rabban Gamliel the Elder was a towering personality, the grandson of Hillel who led the Sanhedrin in the very difficult late-Second Temple period. The first to be quoted in Pirkei Avot neither as part of a pair, nor as a “recipient” of previous generations, he advises every person “asei lecha rav” — to find a … Continue reading “PIRKEI AVOT 15 – APPOINT YOUR RABBI”
