The lessons of the Avos are a prescription from Hashem to help us nurse our souls back to spiritual health. A doctor who seeks to heal his patient first reassures him that his disease is conquerable (and it is!). Similarly, one who is beginning spiritual therapy must be bolstered emotionally against despair, which is itself a spiritually fatal malady. (Knesses Yisrael).

I created this pirkei avot study sheet so that every day between Pesach and Rosh Hashana (you can do it anytime, but that's when we recite pirkei avot) you learn one little insight and take a kabbalah upon yourself. Enjoy and use it well!

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Perek One

Day 1-introduction

The Mishnah literally says a share "towards" the World-To-Come. The World-To-Come is not a pre-existing place in which one’s share awaits him, commensurate with his good deeds. Rather, it is something that we create for ourselves by the way we live in the world. We gain the World-To-Come through working towards it, by performing good deeds (Ruach Chaim). Today realize how this world is ONLY here for the sake of the world-to-come-why waste it?!?!

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Day 2-(1:6)

The connection between the three elements of the Mishna is as follows. We want your attachment to your Rav and to your friend to be a long-lasting one. The closer you are to someone and the longer you spend with him, the more likely you are to uncover faults, or at least be in situations that lend themselves to various interpretations. You are likely to think that your Rav or friend did something wrong to you, and this reaction will lead to distance between you. So the Tanna has taught us to judge these people favorably, preventing dissension and division between you (Rabbi Shaye Karlinsky). Today work on viewing your friends as a Whole, and not just their individual flaws.

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Day 3-(1:14)

We must transcend our physical limitations and rise above our individual existence in this world. Thus, if we are neither concerned with or are aware of ourselves, who can stand before us? I need fear nothing, for no foreign thoughts will disturb me. But, if I am only concerned with my own importance and significance, what am I? How truly important I am and how significant is my worship of G-d (interrupted as it is by foreign thoughts)? (The Baal Shem Tov). Today be more concerned with your worship of Hashem and connection with Him, than with your own importance!

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Day 4-(1:15)

When assessing your own spiritual progress, you should never feel complacent. Say to yourself that you’ve done little and have only scratched the surface of your obligations; push yourself to do much more (R’ Chaim of Volozhin). Righteous people, even when they do much good, always feel that they haven’t done enough. The wicked, on the other hand, are convinced-and are not even embarrassed to say-that they have done great things, when in reality they have done little. Our mishnah teaches us to follow the example of the righteous: Say you’ve done little, but in fact do much (R’ Yisrael of Vizhnitz). Today truly assess how far you have come spiritually and how many more rings there are in that ladder toward the ideal connection with Hashem-humbling, isn’t it?

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Day 5-(1:17)

Torah is called Torat Chaim, a living Torah, meaning that it must be translated into action. Since Torah is the blueprint of Creation, it contains the key to understanding G-d’s will, even in the most seemingly mundane aspects of our daily activity (Artscroll). Today don’t just learn a nice spiritual idea, but rather carry it out and bring it into action!

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Day 6-(1:18)

Knesses Yisrael views this triad as the underpinnings of the previous triad in Mishnah 2. 1- Torah is based upon truth, one must seek truth in his Torah study because the two are synonymous. 2-Service of G-d is based on law and justice; it must remain within the parameters Hashem set. 3-The pursuit of peace underlies the performance of chessed. Today realize that the only way to serve Hashem is within HIS parameters; stop rationalizing!

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Day 7-(1:last mishna)

It is a fundamental principle that in order to merit a portion in the World-to-Come, a person must fulfill at least one mitzvah properly, with complete devotion to Hashem. The mitzvah must be performed purely for to fulfill G-d’s will, lovingly and unselfishly. Therefore, G-d gave us many mitzvoth so that every person should observe at least one mitzvah perfectly and thereby inherit eternal life (Rambam). Today realize that all these mitzvoth Hashem gave us are really for our own good-opportunities, not commandments!

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Perek 2

1-(2:1)

“mah limalah”, The manner in which G-d deals with us is “mimchuh”-from you, a direct result of your own actions. G-d’s conduct with us is dependent upon our behavior; for example if we are kind to our peers, G-d will be kind toward us. (Baal Shem Tov) According to the Chassid Yaavetz, the book is man’s soul. Goodness adds luster to the soul, while sin blemishes it. After death, the state of the soul testifies to the owner’s behavior during his life. Today think about the condition of your soul. Is it broken, ripped, dirty and coarse? Don’t be depressed, rather begin the cleansing process and purify it!

2-(2:5)

The Yetzer Hara is a tireless foe. One should therefore not delude himself into thinking that because he has won the battle, he has also won the war (Artscroll). One can be sure of the permanence of a good character trait only when it is put to the test. For example, one may exhibit a calm demeanor under normal circumstances and yet lose his temper when he is under extreme pressure. We can only assess how entrenched a character trait is when it is under attack. One should never become complacent, feeling that he has achieved his life goals. There is no “early retirement” from avodat Hashem; one must constantly strive upwards, seeking greater spiritual accomplishments (Rabbi Aharon Luria). Today realize that usually as a person perfects herself in one area, she tends to become lax in another. Don’t fall into this trap! Your potential is surely great-rise to the challenge of achieving it!

3-(2:5)

Until one finds himself in the same place, time, and circumstance, it is realistically impossible to judge a friend. (Artscroll). Today realize that you are given your own nisyanot, and may be incapable of passing someone else’s. Who are we to judge them anyway?

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4-(2:7)

G-d punishes man ‘measure for measure.’ Nothing a man experience in life is without reason. The commentators agree that Hillel made his statement in general terms and did not mean that every corpse is that of a murderer, but rather his point was that there is always justice in God’s scheme. According to Rambam, this teaches us that one bad deed’s come back to haunt him. Man himself suffers from the suffering he inflicts on others. Conversely, and to an even greater extent, man is always the beneficiary of his own good deeds. Today realize the truth to this statement and use this fact to impede an attempt to sin by asking yourself if you would like to have what you do to others done to yourself!

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5-(2:15)

Everything that happens to you is part of a Divine plan; there is no such thing as coincidence or accident! Even when another person harms you, it is an expression of G-d’s will, with the perpetrator acting merely as a messenger. When one becomes angry with another person or takes revenge on him, he is assuming that his fellow had the independent ability to harm him in the first place and does not take G-d’s will into account. Otherwise, he would look to G-d as the source of his trouble and would have no reason to be angry. Such anger is a form of idolatry, for he assigns independent power to another human being when there is really no such thing! Today internalize this concept-it’s easier said than carried out, but it will literally change your life into a much more pleasant one!

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5-(2:18)

The Midrash teaches us that God showed Moshe many storehouses of Divine reward; one for those who study Torah, one for those who do Chessed, and so on. Finally God showed him the largest of them all. Moshe asked whom it is for and God answered that it is for those who lack merit, a free gift. The Avnei Nezer explains: Those who base their reward on personal merits are limited. However, those who realize that all the good they have done is insignificant compared to what Hashem does for them, ask Him for “Tachanunim”, a free gift, unrelated to their merits. That storehouse is the largest because it is not limited ton what we do, but rather is as infinite as Hashem. This is the message of the Mishnah! Today, don’t make your prayers an established routine. Rather you should entreat Hashem for mercy and a supplication that G-d shower you with the infinite treasures of his free storehouse!

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6-(2:18)

One may become a prisoner of his self-image, unable to free himself of the burdens of his past and repent. He rationalizes, “Compared to the terrible sins I have committed in the past, the sin I now contemplate is insignificant” (R’ Yonah). Lev Avos adds a further dimension to the words “upnei asmicha”, One should not lower his standards in private, a form of wickedness. According to the Midrash Shmuel, the words “upnei asmicha” teach the far-reaching consequences of our actions. Do not be wicked yourself, for your actions have a ripple effect. They do not only affect you; all Jews are responsible for each other, and the balance of the world’s judgment may hang on a single one of your actions! Today realize how hard it is to sin knowing that YOUR sin may be the one to cause bad things to occur throughout the world!

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7-(2:21)

This is an incentive for one to strengthen his commitment to follow the Divine path. Contemplation of the great reward in store for those who loyally follow God’s word induces in man a fervent love of his Creator and an insatiable desire to please Him (Rabbeinu Yonah). This clause is also a source of encouragement. Even if one notices that those who follow in Hashem’s way are seemingly not rewarded, and that they seem to suffer in this world, he should not be disheartened. The reward of the truly righteous takes place in the World to Come (Tiferes Yisrael). Today think about the reward you will get; it really is encouragement!

Perek 3

On a deep level, every sin pollutes the spiritual atmosphere of the world, permeating it with a negative aura. The Talmud relates that Elazar ben Durdayah, a notoriously immoral person, realized what he had become and begged for Divine mercy. He implored the mountains and valleys to intercede with God on his behalf. They were unable to help him because they too had been polluted by his sins. We see from here that Din refers to judgment of our own actions; while Cheshbon refers to the reckoning we will have to make for disturbing the world’s quality of existence through our sins (Artscroll). Today realize that the opposite if this is true as well; when we do mitzvot we are purifying the air. What a feeling it is to know that we are capable of making our air “spiritually clean”!

It is a philosophical truth that a person enjoys the pursuit of knowledge only when it validates his life-style. Therefore, if you develop good habits prior to studying, you will find that your wisdom endures b/c you will find pleasure in study. However, if you have a negative behavior, you will shirk the burden of any knowledge, which will contradict your way of life (Rambam). Meiri adds that refinement of character is the most effective means to prevent sin, as well as to achieve perfection of the spirit. Wisdom without the fear of sin is like a building without a foundation. Today realize that sometimes we choose to believe that any avairah someone tells us about that we commit must not really be an avairah because we do it. This is the wrong approach. If we were truly honest with ourselves, we would understand that it actually is an avairah and will try to come to the level where we will no longer transgress it!

A person who is pleasant and honest in her dealings with others becomes a model of the Torah’s way of life. Thus she sanctifies Hashem’s name, and Hashem is pleased with her (R’ Yonah). R’ Yosef ibn Nachmias notes that the mishna does not speak of one who pleases ALL others; such a person can certainly not be true to himself or G-d. There are times when one must stand up and fight those who tear down the authority of Torah or who weaken Israel’s allegiance to the mitzvoth. Today realize that by being a nice person, not only will you be beloved by people, but also by Hashem. Also, the idea of pleasing EVERYONE is impossible and a waste to even attempt.

The mishna is an excellent metaphor for constructive activity in the “morning” of one’s life-the youthful years. The beauty of youth lies in its impulsive confidence in achieving the impossible. It is a time when one may set the tone for the rest of his life, a time when one makes his greatest push to ascend to the peaks of the spirit. Spiritual slumber is particularly deadly in the morning of one’s life. Today realize that NOW is the time for us to grow, to learn, to achieve new spiritual heights. Make use of the gift of youth and don’t sleep it out!

One should speak pleasantly with all people, young and old alike. Shammai only instructed that one receive all people with a cheerful countenance, something that may not truly reflect one’s inner feelings. R’ Yishmael goes further and speaks of receiving people with simcha, happiness. Happiness is not only an external smile but when you smile from the inside as well (Meiri). Today, when you smile at someone try not to just smile externally, but internally as well!

R’ Yosef Nachmias tells of one who observed someone talking more than he listened. The observer told him: “God created man with two ears and one mouth. Apparently, one should listen twice as much as one speaks.” R’ Dov Ber Mezritch notes that G-d created only one mouth to both eat and speak. Apparently, talk alone, without action, is not worthwhile enough to merit an exclusive organ. Today try to really listen when someone speaks with you. Don’t think about what you will say next or what you are going to do, but rather focus entirely on that person!

In spite of man’s absolute freedom of choice, God always knows what he will do. How these two true, yet irreconcilable, truths can coexist is, according to Rambam, beyond human understanding. Tosafos Yom Tov suggests that this contradiction is only problematic if one views God as bound by time. Since God is not bound by time, he sees all events as if they were happening simultaneously. Today realize that we indeed have Bechirah. Choose LIFE and strive to become the person you hope Hashem knows you will be!

Perek 4

Shlomo Hamelech teaches that one will find knowledge of G-d if he searches for it as he would for silver and hidden treasure. No one demeans the value of silver just b/c it comes from the ground; likewise, one should seek knowledge and enlightenment even from people who seem lowly (Yemin Moshe). One who truly values wisdom will seek it wherever it can be found (Rav, Rashi). Today realize that we can truly learn from everyone. Just as we all have faults, we all have many great qualities as well. The key is to focus on the roses, not the thorns!

Spiritual abilities are similar to muscles: Lifting heavy burdens strengthens one’s muscles, and the accomplishment of spiritual tasks expands one’s spiritual capacity. R’ Yehuda Ashlag told his students: “ I once heard a glutton say that one knows if food is tasty only when he hears people ask for more. It is the same in the service of God; if the performance of the 1^st mitzvah creates an appetite for more, one can rest assured that the 1^st one was performed with sincerity.” Today perform one mitzvah that you usually don’t-it will surely lead to many more!

It is interesting to note that the numerical value of “saniger”, a defense attorney, is ONE more than “katigor”, a prosecutor. A person needs only one more merit to outweigh the demerits and gain him acquittal. The Chofetz Chaim used to say sadly that people will be shocked when they come to face the Heavenly Tribunal after they die. They will see overpowering angels, and angels who limping, crippled, and famished. The strong angels will be the ones produced by mitzvoth and sins done with eagerness and alacrity, while the weak ones will be the ones created by mitzvot and sins done half-heartedly. Today strive on being sure that you will be vindicated in the heavenly courts by making sure your angelic advocates are strong enough to protect you.

It is better to be a follower of the righteous (from whom one can learn) than to be a leader of the common people (Rashi). One should prefer to be a disciple of wiser people rather than the mentor of inferiors. The former will only benefit him, while the latter will spiritually deter him. Today truly ask yourself whether you are hanging out with people who you can learn from, or those who can learn from you. If the answer is the second one, you might want to evaluate your friendships!

One who stands in the king’s waiting room is not concerned w/ mundane matters. Food and drink are meaningless to him; his only concern is whether the king will listen to and grant his requests. Likewise, the only real agenda that should preoccupy man in this world is his eventual audience with the King of all Kings (Bayis LeAvos). Today realize that this mishna teaches us a sense of perspective. We don’t have to give up all our physical pleasures, but rather realize that our purpose in this world is to acquire for the world to come and not get caught up in materialistic things.

Midrash Shmuel cites an interesting variation on this theme. Man is a synthesis of body and soul. Without a body, the soul cannot function; but nonetheless, the soul is certainly the focal point of the partnership. This is comparable to the relationship between wine and its vessel. The wine is the main thing; the vessel is only there to contain it. Thus we are taught to focus on the contents, not the earthen jug. Today realize the importance of physicality-it is here to contain the spirituality in this world. Therefore, the spirituality is of much more importance. Do something today for your soul!

“Somebody opened a store right next to mine, and I’m surely going to lose my livelihood. He will take all my business away!” complained a storekeeper to R’Meir. The sage replied, “Have you ever seen a horse drink water from a river? He walks into the water and stamps his hooves. Do you know why he does that? He looks down at the water and sees another horse also drinking. Envious and afraid that the ‘other’ horse will drink up all the water, he kicks his mirror image. That is the attitude of the horse, but you know better. You realize that there is enough water in the river for all the horses, and that no one can touch what God prepared for his friend. Place your trust in God, and you will have nothing to fear and no reason to be jealous of.” Today internalize this concept that Hashem decides what you will get and that NO ONE can take that away from you!

Perek 5

Through his trial, people became aware of the depth of Avraham’s loyalty and commitment to God, and could gain inspiration from it (R’ Yonah). According to Meiri, the converse is indicated: Avraham’s success in overcoming the ten trials indicates God’s love for him. Incessant trials are a sign of the innate potential which God invests in a person, and which the trial is intended to actualize. By withstanding his trials, Avraham revealed the depth of his personality, indicating the great potential with which God had endowed him. Today come to the realization that all tests are actuality a kindness of Hashem. If we learn this concerning the small, miniscule tests, we will eventually be able to overcome the bigger tests of life should we be given them.

The juxtaposition of the miracles performed for the Jews during Yetziat Mitzrayim and their ten trials of God comes to teach us that experiencing miracles does not guarantee devotion in matters of faith. WE often decry our own times, so far removed from the spiritual exposure of our ancestors, claiming that an open manifestation of God’s Presence would remove our doubts of faith and elevate us to greater spiritual heights. This mishna teaches us not to delude ourselves into thinking that living w/ miracles would ensure our spiritual stature! Today realize that we need to have emunah even though we do not see open miracles-how much more reward we will get for our bitachon!

The lesson of this mishna is that ‘there is order to miracles’. Miracles are not accidental changes in the rules of nature, but rather are woven into the tapestry of nature, planned and waiting for the circumstances under which they will occur. Ramban notes that great miracles are indicative of the controlling hand of G-d over all of nature; from supernatural events one realizes that EVERYTHING in nature truly is miraculous. Today watch the sunset or stare up at the clouds for a minute or two. Nature truly is miraculous; we just take it for granted!

Minchas Shabbos views this mishna as referring to four attitudes one may have toward his familial heritage. Some people, like sponges, absorb whatever they have seen in their home-both the good and the bad. Others consider themselves wiser than their parents and like the funnel reject everything. The third types, the strainers, are the people who strain it all out until they are left with only symbolic customs. The best type of all is the sieve; the people who perceive clearly which are authentically spiritual and discard what is without basis, or contrary to the Torah. Today evaluate which type of vessel you are. Make sure you try to always remain like the sieve!

The Kozhnitzer Maggid sees this mishna as a word portrait of someone with the proper orientation toward his relationship with God. A person with a good eye always focuses on the greatness of God, with a humble spirit realizes his insignificance in relation to his Maker, and one with a meek soul always doubts whether he has done enough for God. Such a person is truly a disciple of Avraham. Today strive to act in a way in which you can be called a disciple of Avraham.

Meiri sheds light on the psychological dynamic of shame. One who possesses this trait is drawn to righteous people and good deeds, since he will be embarrassed if others know of his sins and will be upset if his reputation gets damaged. According to Rambam, the ability to feel a sense of shame when contemplating sin is one of the greatest gifts Hashem gave us! The three traits of Jewish people that the Talmud defines are shame, compassion, and kindness. Today thank Hashem for making us feel ashamed at times…realize the true gift it is!

Torah refines and sharpens the mind so that one can perceive the truth; one becomes enlightened through the light of Torah and all spiritual darkness is removed from his heart. Thus it grants one power to view the world around him with a spiritual clarity (Rambam). Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman gave the following analogy: If someone’s friend tells him that his face is dirty and another friend tells him that it is sparkling clean, how can he know the truth? He looks into a mirror. Likewise, when one has doubts in life, whether spiritual or mundane, he should use the Torah as his mirror, allowing him to gain a realistic perspective of his situation. Today appreciate how beautiful that Mashal is. How lucky we are to be given the Torah!

Perek 6

Torah clothes him in humility and fear of G-d. One who studies Torah for its own sake is humbled by its vastness and depth. The Midrash portrays the effect of Torah on those who study it: Just as large grapes on the vine hang lower than the smaller grapes, so the more one grows in Torah, the more insignificant he appears in his own eyes. Today try to work on humility. We each have our faults and weaknesses-we may have much to be proud of but with accomplishments come responsibility as well!

Day Two-(6:2)

The Mishna’s concept of freedom can be seen in Moshe’s experience with the first Luchot, which were very heavy stone, but which he nevertheless was able to carry with no difficulty. The Sages relate that after Moshe descended the mountain and saw the people worshipping the Golden Calf, the letters of the Ten Commandments miraculously flew from the tablets-whereupon their weight became too great to bear and Moshe dropped them. This implies that the literal word of God, as represented by the letters of the commandments, freed Moshe from the limitations of the law of gravity. So too, the Torah provides its adherents with the emotional mettle to overcome life’s difficulties and trials. Today think about the greatness of the Torah-how lucky we are to have been given this supreme gift!

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Day Three-(6:3)

Torah knowledge enlightens and refines those who study it. Hence, a teacher-even a small amount-has shared in molding his friend’s essence (HaChassis Yaavetz). Every person out there has something to teach us-strive to learn lessons from each person and realize how lucky we are to have people to learn from!

A Jew who walks God’s path should always be ecstatic; poverty and difficulty should seem too insignificant to matter. The Chofetz Chaim offered the analogy of a pauper who won a huge lottery prize. He ran home to share the good news with his wife and children, and they all celebrated together. A passerby looked inside at the poor furnishings and empty cupboard, and wondered how these forlorn people could be happy. What was there to celebrate when there was nothing on the table for supper? But the “demented” family knew better. What did it matter if their pockets were empty today when they were holding a winning ticket that would bring them millions! Today work on your emunah and bitachon in Hashem. Realize that although we may not be on the level of living in poverty waiting for Olam Habah, there are many things in our lives we would change if we truly believed and acted on the believe that this world is just a hallway into the World to Come.

R’ Yisrael of Rizhin offered the proper perspective toward honor with a parable. A royal minister traveled throughout the kingdom, and was recognized and honored wherever he went. One day the minister went on a trip with the king, but since the king rarely appeared in public, most of the people did not know who he was and ignored him, while they all bowed to the famous minister. How embarrassing it was to him to be honored while his master was ignored! Today realize that only the King of the Universe deserves honor, how embarrassing it is when we take it for ourselves!

The first twenty-four qualities on the list are related to the development of the intelligence and methodology by which one can, through toil, come to know the Torah. The other twenty-four are means to sublimate one’s character and personality, and refine his essence so that he becomes a fitting receptacle for the holiness of the Torah. As Maharal teaches, The Godly intelligence cannot reside in a body consumed by its own physicality. Today try to awaken your love for Hashem and his Torah through these 48 qualities!

Man cannot take life by himself; he must be connected to the Source of all life. Just as leaves and branches of a tree draw sustenance when they are attached to the roots and wilt when that connection is severed, so too when man studies Torah it provides him with the means to connect to the living God. It provides man with life both in this world and the next (Maharal). Today appreciate the fact that the Torah is our source of life! Choose life!