A Meaningful Quote from Pirkei Avot  

Several years ago, the editor of one of the magazines where I work was putting together a piece on “Words That Inspire Us,” and she asked my co-workers and me to tell her our favorite quotation—the one that most encourages or motivates us—and provide the author. Many of the quotes were from celebrities, including Oprah and Judy Garland, and writers such as Maya Angelou and David Thoreau. Mine, however, was a little different and caused some head-scratching. “Ethics of Our Fathers?” they asked. “What is that? What kind of quote is this?” 

When I was asked to provide a quote, what immediately came to mind was something from Pirkei Avot, known as Ethics of Our Fathers, one of the best-known and most cited of the Jewish texts. The apothegm, “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to neglect it,” has been a favorite of mine since I first heard it many years ago. In simple terms, these words from Rabbi Tarfon (Pirkei Avot 2:16) can be taken as reassurance to those facing tremendous tasks, whether they be individual or communal. 

The adage says you have to do your part to make progress without worrying about completing the whole task. If the project or goal seems too big, break it down. Some people will be able to do what you are not able to. You have to focus on what you are doing today; tomorrow is someone else’s turn. Keeping this in mind, the work will continue with generations down the line. 

Continuing the adage from Rabbi Tarfon, a sage who lived nearly 2,000 years ago, the next line is, “If you have studied much Torah, you shall be given much reward.” In learning more about this text, it would appear “finishing the work” would be finishing the study of Torah. But as we know, no one can finish this task, as Torah is a living book and generation after generation uncovers and learns more. 

And not everyone agrees that the study of Torah is what the adage is talking about!  In fact, the line has become a central component of Jewish activists and those who feel called to serve, who work hard in their vision of repairing the world (tikkun olam). 

It was in 2018 when my co-worker was working on this article and I was asked my favorite quote, so you can imagine my delight when in 2022, Josh Shapiro, who had just been elected governor of Pennsylvania, declared victory by quoting the same adage from Pirkei Avot.  It was a worthy moment for all Jews when he used his national platform to bring light to something so profound from our history. In a way, Shapiro’s quoting from Pirkei Avot gave power to Jewish people, as our wise words were now a part of the country’s history—or at the very least, the Pennsylvania history. 

More recently, this past August, after losing the competition to be the running mate of Kamala Harris, Shapiro turned to the same adage. Following the announcement that Harris had selected Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz for this role, Shapiro said, “Since I first ran for state representative twenty years ago, I’ve been called to serve because my faith teaches me that no one is required to complete the task, but neither are we free to refrain from it.” 

The adage invokes our forefathers and mothers, many of whom did not see their work completed before they died. In fact, when it comes to not having work completed, there is no better example than Moses. After all he accomplished, the prophet never entered Israel. Imagine if he did not answer G-d’s call to return to Egypt, free the Israelites, and deliver the Ten Commandments because he realized he was not going to be able to enter the Promised Land. 

From centuries ago to modern times, we learn by example the wisdom of Pirkei Avot 2:16:  While we do not have to finish the work, we cannot ignore it, either.