In this Pirkei Avot assingment we were asked to right 5 paragraphs on five different verse with five different songs. Here is what I wrote. 

• That’s what Friends are for, Avot 2:1

Rabbi [Judah HaNassi]* would say: Which is the right path for man to choose for himself? Whatever is harmonious for the one who does it, and harmonious for mankind. Be as careful with a minor mitzvah as with a major one, for you do not know the rewards of the mitzvot. Consider the cost of a mitzvah against its rewards and the rewards of a transgression against its cost. Contemplate three things, and you will not come to the hands of transgression: Know what is above from you: a seeing eye, a listening ear, and all your deeds being inscribed in a book (Avot 2:1).

In verse one of Pirkei Avot, it talks about how “you should consider the cost of the mitzvah/good deed over its reward” (Avot 2:1). This means that you should help someone just to help them not to get a reward in the future. In the song “That’s What Friends Are For” by Elton John and Stevie Wonder, It talks about your friends will always be there for you. That’s the point of doing a good deed you might get a good friend or something else. Something that won’t only benefit you but benefit both of you in different ways whether it’s physically or mentally.

 

 

2) Headshot By Lil  Tjay, Avot 2:3

Verse: Rabban Gamliel the son of Rabbi Judah HaNassi would say: Beautiful is the study of Torah with the way of the world, for the toil of them both causes sin to be forgotten. Ultimately, all Torah study that is not accompanied with work is destined to cease and to cause sin. Those who work for the community should do so for the sake of Heaven; for then merit of their ancestors shall aid them, and their righteousness shall endure forever. And you, [says G‑d,] I shall credit you with great reward as if you have achieved it (Avot 2:3). 

 

In verse 3 of Pirkei Avot, there is one sentence that really stands out to me “Be careful of the government” (Avot 2:2). This means when doing something you must always watch out for the people that are at a higher rank than you or more important. In the song Headshot by Lil tjay, he says “ Know the feds watchin’, middle fingers to the government”. There are many ways to interpret this but I think that this means the highest in power is always watching even if you haven’t done anything wrong. The connection between these two verses is that both of them talk about the government and that you should think before you trust them or you will regret your action.

 

 

4.) Small Town by John Mellencamp, Avot 2:4

He would also say: Make that His will should be your will, so that He should make your will to be as His will. Nullify your will before His will, so that He should nullify the will of others before your will.

Hillel would say: Do not separate yourself from the community. Do not believe in yourself until the day you die. Do not judge your fellow until you have stood in his place. Do not say something that is not readily understood in the belief that it will ultimately be understood [or: Do not say something that ought not to be heard even in the strictest confidence, for ultimately it will be heard]. And do not say “When I free myself of my concerns, I will study,” for perhaps you will never free yourself.

 

In verse four of Pirkei Avot, It says “Do not separate yourself from the community” (Avot 2:4). This means that you should never separate yourself from the people you grew up with because you will need them and it won’t feel like home anywhere else. The song Small Town by John Mellencamp, it talks about how he grew up in a small community and “Oh, those small communities”. When he says that I’m pretty sure he’s referring to them as the best in a way that small communities are superior because you know more people than you would in a big one. I agree with that completely because the more people you know the more friends you have and that means fewer bad things will happen.

 

12) Respect By Stevie Wonder Avot 2:12

Rabbi Yossei would say: The property of your fellow should be as precious to you as your own. Perfect yourself for the study of Torah, for it is not an inheritance to you. And all your deeds should be for the sake of Heaven.

 

This verse talks about respecting other objects as if they were yours something your teachers always tell you to do. 

 

In verse twelve of Pirkei Avot, it says something a lot of you might have heard from your teacher “The property of your fellow should be as precious to you as your own” also known as treating someone how you would want to be treated (Avot 2:12). This means that for example: if your friend invites you to his house you don’t go over and trash it you go over and treat it as if it was yours or even better. In the song Respect by Stevie Wonder, he says “I’m about to give you all my money but all I’m asking in return honey, is to give me my respect”. In my eyes, this means that I’m about to give you some of my aspects so you should treat me with respect. Or else that would be rude.

 

15) Days Are Short, Avot 2:15

Rabbi Tarfon would say: The day is short, the work is much, the workers are lazy, the reward is great, and the Master is pressing.

 

In verse fifteen of Pirkei Avot, it talks about how “The day is short”(Avot 2:15). This means that you should savor every moment you get doing what you love with the people you like/love. Rabbi Tarfon states here that “the day is short”. Here he is referring to the days are too short and the work is plentiful. In the song “Days Are Short” by Arlo Guthrie he talks about how even tho the days are short that doesn’t mean she has to stop trying it just means you need to put more effort because you have less time. He also talks about how every day he wakes up and he is just another man and that the world is the same the sky is still blue and there is still a sunrise. So in the end, if the days are short then you really just need to make your plans shorter so they fit in the day.

 

  Bibliography

Charlyccz. “Dionne Warwick, Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Gladys Knight – That’s What Friends Are For.” YouTube, YouTube, 20 July 2012, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66Qkf2Jm6pc&ab_channel=Charlyccz. 

“Days Are Short.” YouTube, YouTube, 16 Sept. 2015, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCJ9rSvhP_A. 

“Lil Tjay, Polo G & Fivio Foreign – Headshot (Official Video).” YouTube, YouTube, 22 Mar. 2021, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CnN8wb25f_8. 

“Respect.” YouTube, YouTube, 25 July 2018, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ITZM6ellasQ. 

JohnMellencampVEVO. “John Mellencamp – Small Town.” YouTube, YouTube, 5 Oct. 2009, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0CVLVaBECuc.