Pirkei Avot and the Omer
Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008by John J. Parsons
www.hebrew4christians.com
A Jewish tradition is to read a different chapter of Pirkei Avot (פרקי אבות, “Sayings of the Fathers”) for each Sabbath during the Omer Count. Here is a sample from chapter one:
שמעון הצדיק היה משיירי אנשי כנסת הגדולה. הוא היה אומר, על שלושה דברים העולם עומד–על התורה, ועל העבודה, ועל גמילות החסדים
Shimon the Righteous was among the last surviving members of the Great assembly. He would say: On three things does the world stand: on the Torah, on the service to G-d, and on deeds of kindness. (Avot 1:2)
Gemilut Chasadim are acts of chesed (love, kindness) that include giving tzedakah (charity), bikkur cholim (visiting the sick), tikkun olam (repairing the world), and many other ways of helping others.
You can read the Pirkei Avot online here.