Pirkei Avot

There are four Shabbatot before Rosh HaShana. We read/learn the first perek this Shabbat, then the second one next week, and on the two remaining Shabbatot we will double up, Gimmel-Dalet and Hei-Vav, so that we can complete Pirkei Avot for the fourth time since Pesach. Outside of Israel, they read/learn the sixth perek this Shabbat, and they will double up for the next three Shabbatot.

Each phase of the period from Pesach until Rosh HaShana
provides a different background for one Pirkei Avot go-through. There is the Omer, followed by a "neutral" period; then comes the Three Weeks and the rest of Av,   and finally, there is Elul.

Even the accelerated pace of the fourth round (with the doubling up) seems to fit Elul's hectic pace of pre paring spiritually and emotionally for the Yamim No'ra'im.

In the first chapter we find that Antignus taught that we should not be like servants who serve their master in order to receive reward... There is extra significance to his statement as we prepare for Yom HaDin, Judgment Day, Rosh HaShana. This is probably the time of the year that we are most acutely aware of the concept of Reward and Punishment. Comes this teaching and reminds us that we really should be doing mitzvot because that's what we should always be doing. And for no other reason than they are the commands of G-d. The reward should be viewed as a fringe benefit. Not a major preoccupation. Elul sheds a different light on this and many of the teachings of Pirkei Avot. Learn it well.

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