Pirkei Avos
Pirkei Avos - Ethics of Our Fathers
Shabbat afternoons After Pesach until Rosh Hashana at Chabad
It is customary to study Pirkei Avot on the Shabbats between the holidays of Passover and Shavuot , the seven weeks of the Omer counting .
Every Shabbat , customarily after the afternoon Minchah prayers, we study one chapter. After the Jews left Egypt, they embarked on a period of self-refinement and character improvement. This was critical in order that they be worthy of receiving the Torah on Shavuot. While counting the Omer , we too try to perfect our character. To assist in achieving this goal, we study Avot, the tractate which is devoted to piety, humility, kindness and ethics.
We continue this chapter-a-week regimen throughout the summer months, until Rosh Hashanah . The chapter-a-week of Avot is meant to keep us spiritually strong and healthy, and prepared to face the moral challenges the summer months present.
Pirkei Avot makes for a very enjoyable and thought-provoking discussion.