A TorahTutors student recently completed Pirkei Avot just in time for her bat mitzvah, after studying it with her online tutor for a year and a half.
The beautiful dvar Torah she shared for the occasion, sent in as a #TuesdayTorahTutorsTidbit by her beloved tutor, discussed how meaningful and relevant the teachings of Pirkei Avot turned out to be. She noted that they had given her guidance in different relationships – both “bein adam laMakom” (between a person and God) and “bein adam lechaveiro” (between a person and her community), as well as in the oft-overlooked category of “bein adam le’atzmo” – self-improvement.
The newly-minted bat mitzvah further shared that through studying this book of self-improvement:
I have noticed that things are not black and white. Life is complex and one has to balance different values simultaneously. I guess that’s what becoming an adult is all about – yikes!
I’ve learned about the importance of being part of the community, but on the other hand, Pirkei Avot teaches that one should be careful not to be swayed by peer pressure.
I’ve learned that it’s important to have self-confidence, yet the Mishna also teaches that one should not be overly confident in themselves.
I’ve learned that one receives reward for every good deed performed, yet one should not do mitzvot for the sake of the reward.
I’ve learned that being too shy prevents one from learning, but being too talkative has its drawbacks too.
We are so proud of this student’s learning and insights, and wish her a huge mazel tov!
