One of the most beloved sections of the Talmud that has shaped Jewish life for millennia is Pirkei Avot, “Ethics of the Fathers,” in which the sages of the Mishnaic era share their wisdom on everything from personal interactions to prayer and from marriage to financial ethics.
A new volume by a congregational rabbi—“Starting With Sinai: Transformative Ideas Toward a Better Self” (Sivan Books) by Rabbi Yossi Shanowitz, director of Chabad of Westmount, in Montreal Canada—focuses on the ethical dilemmas that face the contemporary Jewish reader. It is an important addition to the constellation of commentaries and study companions to Pirkei Avot.
In a conversation with Chabad.org, Rabbi Shanowitz shares about the book, its genesis and what he hopes readers will gain from it.
Q: Rabbi Shanowitz, you had been teaching for years but had never written a book. How did this happen?
A: Almost accidentally. I didn’t set out to write a book, per se.
Pirkei Avot has been a favorite subject of mine for many years. There is a tradition to learn a chapter a week between Passover and Rosh Hashanah, and every spring and summer, I would teach Pirkei Avot on the long Shabbat afternoons. Our community is made of professionals and also some academics. I found the study of Pirkei Avot resonated well and was the subject of great discussions.
When Covid hit, and all the synagogues and community centers were closed, we pivoted to a daily minyan on Zoom. After we concluded prayers, I would share some thoughts from Pirkei Avot to inspire the attendees and also to offer some food for thought. I presented a teaching that was usually paired with a story or joke and a bottom-line takeaway. Soon, the Zoom minyan attendees started asking for copies of the teaching to share and to keep. So I began writing these lessons more formally, with the intent of making copies to pass around. But it became apparent that this little project was turning into something bigger, and ultimately, I decided to compile them into book form. And the rest, as they say, is history.
Q: Although not related to the book, can you share a bit about yourself?
A: I was born in Brooklyn, N.Y. My father came from Europe as an orphan with only his younger brother. His whole family had been killed by the Nazis. The last time he saw his father, he was about 10 years old. Despite that cruel separation from his family, he was devoted to Torah study his whole life and inculcated into his children a passion for learning and a respect for those who studied Torah. Even when he was quite exhausted after a busy work week, he nevertheless took time throughout Shabbat to sit with us and study. Often, the synagogue would empty as everyone left to attend dinner, and we would study with my father. This focus on our study left a very strong impression on all of us siblings.
After our marriage, my wife and I moved to Montreal, where we got involved in the Westmount community. For a while, I taught in the local yeshivah, but ultimately founded Chabad of Westmount, which, thank G‑d, is a flourishing Chabad center in the heart of the established Montreal community.
Today, we serve all ages, from tots to seniors and just about everyone in between. Some of our married children have joined, and this has been a source of blessing all around. Despite our busy center, learning Torah remains my passion, and we have a robust education center that caters to various segments of the community, including law symposiums for the legal community and such.
Q: In what way is this book different from the many, many books already out there on Pirkei Avot?
A: As I mentioned previously, this book is an outgrowth of lessons that I presented to the community. In that spirit, these lessons, though rich with inspirational and Chassidic teaching, strike a light, almost playful tone. It’s fun and informative, inspiring, and I think very contemporary—addressing such topics as perfection, existence, prayer, love, habit, joy, power, anger, etc. The summation of each lesson is both poignant and witty.
It’s a fun book to read.
Q: Who did you work with in writing this book?
A: My dear wife, Devorah, worked with me in editing and producing the book. She also wrote the whimsical summations that conclude each lesson. We also had some members of the community offer their feedback.
Q: What feedback are you hearing?
A: People are enjoying the book and ordering it for friends and family. Some people find that it’s a great book on mindfulness, some find it a soothing read, and some have shared that they felt it was thought-provoking.
Someone wrote to me that this is not a book to read and put on the shelf, but one that compels the reader to read and re-read, again and again.
We’ve had a daily study group here that started with a discussion segment. The feedback has been gratifying.
Ultimately, my hope is that this book inspires appreciation for the richness of our tradition and how its teachings can navigate us towards a more inspired, joyful and, yes, soulful living.
“Starting With Sinai” can be purchased at Kehot, Amazon and other retailers.
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