Customer Reviews

Wisdom of the Jewish Sages: A Modern Reading of Pirke Avot

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Rabbi Rami Shapiro, liturgical poet extraordinaire, here provides a marvelously lucid poetic rendering of Pirke Avot in the style of, e.g., Stephen Mitchell's _Tao Te Ching_.

I must disagree, however, with the reviewers who have called Rabbi Shapiro's work a _translation_. It is not, and he himself recommends (in the book's equally lucid preface) that it be read in conjunction with -- _not_ as a replacement for -- a more conventional translation.

Like Mitchell's _Tao Te Ching_, this work is an interpretive rendering -- or, as its subtitle indicates, a "modern reading." And a very good one it is; Rabbi Shapiro is one of today's most responsible and insightful liberal-Jewish commentators on traditional Jewish texts.

But _do not_ mistake this work for a "translation." If you're looking for one, try Rabbi Jacob Neusner's _Torah From Our Sages_.

This book is easy to pick up, turn to any page, and read something that can resonate inside you. It helped me to understand that being Jewish is deeply spiritual - and every day of Jewish life is a rich yet gentle experience. It was at once accessible and long-lasting. I'm going to buy copies for my friends and family. An excellent book, one that should be carried with people as they go through their daily routine

This breathtaking book gives to us the richness and wisdom of these ancient sages, while providing an excellent translation from the original Hebrew. I encourage readers of all ages and backgrounds to absorb this wonderful book into their minds and souls. The thoughts expressed in this book can have a profound effect on one who reads it. Get it today

This is wisdom that applies to each of us, no matter our background or beliefs. Rabbi Rami makes it clear and -- wisely -- allows us to see ourselves in this practical and pragmatic collection. I return to it often.

I have taught Pirke Avot to 14 year olds, (using several different sources) and have studied these sayings of the sages for many years. While this volume does not come with commentary, this book has become my "pocket source) and these particular verses are my favorite.
I now use them regularly at the beginning of faculty meetings, in order to create a setting that supports integrity while providing an opportunity for professionals to "think" together.

I was first introduced to the Pirke (peer-kay) Avot (ah-vote) around 1994. It was one of those traditional versions with so much interpretaive text by the scholar that I could barely figure out what the Pirke Avot had actually said. But I could tell there was value there, so I kept reading and searching.

The Pirke Avot is also known as: the "Sayings of the Fathers", "the Wisdom of the Sages", and "the Ethics of the Fathers".

This version is what I always wanted. It's just the Sayings. There is no extraneous fluff.

This is on a par with the Tao Te Ching in some respects. (If you are interested see Jane English's classic translation of that work.)

Great spiritual truths!

Shapiro's "interpretation" of Pirke Avot is really a translation -- a lovely one, perhaps, but unadorned with analysis or commentary beyond the poetry of the words. And truly, these words are meant to be more useful than poetic, so unless you're simply looking for a modern translation of this ancient text, you'd do best to find another edition.