Three teachings from Pirkei Avot that, together, map a life of purpose, humility, and balance.
Pirkei Avot — Ethics of the Fathers — is a tractate of the Mishnah that collects the ethical teachings of the early Sages. Unlike legal tractates, it focuses on derekh eretz — how to live well: building character, balancing worldly life with Torah, and anchoring ourselves in enduring values. It is traditionally studied in the weeks between Passover and Shavuot and has guided personal growth for generations.
The message is radical: real devotion isn't transactional. True service — whether to God, to community, or to family — comes from love and integrity, not from calculation. Reward may come, but it must never be the goal.
These lines invert society's normal measures of success. Wisdom isn't about degrees, but humility. Strength isn't about domination, but self-control. Wealth isn't about acquisition, but contentment. And honor isn't about status, but how we treat others.
This is about priorities. Work matters, but it cannot be the center. Torah — meaning learning, values, and spiritual growth — must guide how we live. And humility ensures that our learning doesn't lead to arrogance but to growth.
Together, they offer a countercultural but timeless vision: live for higher purpose, define success inwardly, and keep Torah and humility at the center. That, Pirkei Avot teaches us, is a life that brings lasting meaning — in this world and the next.
© September 2025 David Ulevitch — A concise guide to three teachings from Pirkei Avot.