Pirkei Avot is usually translated as 'Ethics of the Fathers' and forms a part of the Mishnah. The Mishnah was written down in the 2nd Century CE, after the 2nd Temple was destroyed, so that the Jewish people wouldn't forget the oral laws of the Torah that they had observed in Temple times. It contains debates and discussions between different rabbis about the meanings, interpretations and applications of the different laws (Halachot) laid out in the Torah.
(ב) שִׁמְעוֹן הַצַּדִּיק הָיָה מִשְּׁיָרֵי כְנֶסֶת הַגְּדוֹלָה. הוּא הָיָה אוֹמֵר, עַל שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד, עַל הַתּוֹרָה וְעַל הָעֲבוֹדָה וְעַל גְּמִילוּת חֲסָדִים:
(2) Shimon the Righteous was from the remnants of the Great Assembly. He would say, "On three things the world stands: on the Torah, on the service and on acts of loving kindness."
Do you agree that the world stands on Torah, service and acts of loving kindness?
What might it mean that 'the world stands on service'?
How might this passage be relevant to a Bar or Bat Mitzvah?
What things can you think of that could be described as 'acts of loving kindness'?
What was the last act of loving kindness that you did? How did it make you feel?
What was the last act of service you did? Why did you choose to do it?
(יח) רַבָּן שִׁמְעוֹן בֶּן גַּמְלִיאֵל אוֹמֵר, עַל שְׁלשָׁה דְבָרִים הָעוֹלָם עוֹמֵד, עַל הַדִּין וְעַל הָאֱמֶת וְעַל הַשָּׁלוֹם, שֶׁנֶּאֱמַר (זכריה ח) אֱמֶת וּמִשְׁפַּט שָׁלוֹם שִׁפְטוּ בְּשַׁעֲרֵיכֶם:
(18) Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel says, "On three things the world stands: on judgment, on truth and on peace, as it is said (Zachariah 8:16), 'Judge truth and the justice of peace in your gates.'"
Who's idea of what the world stands on do you agree with more - Shimon the Righteous or Shimon Ben Gamliel? Why?
Is it possible that both men have the right ideas? Why or why not?
What do you think holds the world up? Have the rabbis missed anything?
What is the most important pillar?
Section Two:
On a piece of A3 paper, create a mind map of all of the different acts of loving kindness and service that you can think of.
- Which of these activities would a 13 year old be able to do alone? Circle these in red.
- Which of these activities would be best completed as a group of teens? Circle these in blue.
- Which of these would be best completed with parents? Circle these in a different colour.
Stick your mind map to the wall and go and have a look at all of the other ideas. Take a pen and paper or use the notes function on your phone, and choose your favourite 5 ideas.
Let's discuss as a group how many of these we could implement.
Homework:
Speak to your friends and your family, and decide on as many projects or activities that fulfil the 'service' or 'acts of loving kindness' part of holding up the world that you think you could complete between now and your Bar or Bat Mitzvah. This will form your Bnei Mitzvah project.
Create a detailed plan of what/when/where you will do, and try to have completed at least 1 of your projects by the next session! I would like you to bring photos or videos or some other evidence!
For example, you may decide that you would like to organise a sponsored walk for a charity that you care about, but that you would also like to make challah and take it to your grandparents. You could start planning a route for the walk and bring in the maps as evidence, or you could bake the challah and bring me pictures (or food. You could always bring me some home made challah!)