The reading of Pirkei Avot on Sabbath is an old custom. It goes back to the period of the Geonim and may even predate it. The custom varies in different communities. The dominant Ashkenazi custom is to read “Perek” from the Sabbath after Pesach until Rosh Hashana.
Numerous commentaries have been composed on this treatise. It has been translated into many language. It has even been illustrated.
Among the commentaries on this treatise there are some who represent “anthologies” of comments by various authors. The first commentary of this kind was Rabbi Shmuel Uceda’s “Midrash Shmuel.” Uceda, a great Talmudist and Kabbalist, lived in Safed in the sixteenth century. In his commentary he quotes at length from a host of commentators who had preceded him.
A number of such anthologies on “Pirkei Avot” have appeared in recent times. They contain not only selections or individual interpretations from various commentaries, but also explanations, stories and aphorisms culled from other sources.
A fine specimen of such a commentary is Aaron Surasky’s “MiMa’ynot HaNetzach” (From the Springs of Eternity) which appeared some time ago. Rabbi Surasky, who lives in Bnai Brak is a well known Israeli author. He is a regular contributor to religious periodicals and has several dozens of books to his credit.
He is the author of large and valuable biographies of Rabbi Meir Shapiro, Rabbi Shimon Shkop and Rabbi Chaim Ozer Grodzinski as well as of collections of biographical essays on or rabbinic personalities, both of Ashkenazi and Sefardi Jewry. He has written a large book on Jewish religious education and educational institutions in modern times and has given a very detailed biography of Reb Yitzchak Gerstenkorn, the founder and long time mayor of Bnai Brak. Surasky, apparently is also one of the chief collaborators on “Pe’er Hador,” the monumental five-volume biography of the “Chazon Ish.”
More recently he published an extensive biography of Rabbi Elchanan Wasserman, the Rosh Yeshiva of Baranowicz. This marvelous and moving book is the result of long and painstaking research.
A few years ago Surasky put out five volumes of “MiMayanot HaNetzach” on the Torah. The volumes which carry the subtitle: “A string of Pearls on the Parasha of the Week,” contain short comments, stories and sayings relating to the Sidrah.
“Mimaynot HaNetzach” on Pirke Avot is similar in nature to the volumes on Torah by the same name. Surasky collected material for this volume from hudnreds of books. Quoted are rabbi and scholars from many ages and different countries. You find here sayings by HasidicRebbes, Lithuanian Roshei Yeshiva nd leaders of the Mussar movement.
The selection of the material has been done in excellent taste. The style is concise and the language lucid.
At the end of the volume the sources of each story, saying or comment is indicated.
Here are some gems from Surasky’s latest treasure chest.
“Shimon his son (of Rabban Gamliel) used to say:All my life I grew up among sages and I have found nothing better for a person (lit. body) than silence.”(Avot 1:17)
Said Rabbi David Moshe of Czortkov: No man has ever become tired from being silent for a long time.
“He (Hillel) used to say…” and in a place where there are no men strive to be a man.” (Avot 2:5)
Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin explained.: In a place where there are no men– even in a place where no one sees you -strive to be a man, conquer your evil inclinations.
“He (Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai) said to them (his students): Go forth and observe which is the good way a man should adhere to… Rabbi Yose said: A good neighbor” (Avot 2:9).
One may ask: Can a man really choose his neighbor? Not always it is given to him to have a good neighbor. But Rabbi Yose meant to say: The good way for man is to be a good neighbor, to help his fellow man.
Surasky’s fine book should find an enthusiastic welcome by Torah students in this country.
The Jewish Press, Friday, August 28, 1981