Pirke Avot

The most popular tractate of the Mishnah, and thus the most widely known part of the Talmud, is undoubtedly that of Avot, "Fathers." It is the only tractate to have entered the prayerbook whole, and is recited and studied, chapter by chapter, on spring and summer Sabbaths. It has often been translated and commented upon. Rabbi Stern's translation and commentary is different, however. Its translation is new and gender-neutral, and the commentary reflects the approach of both traditional and modern thinkers on Avot. It also contains readings from elsewhere in talmudic literature which depict…