In the ancient Jewish text Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers), a group of rabbinic scholars in Israel at the beginning of the Common Era fashioned a roadmap to living a moral life. The sages highlighted specific behaviors that would help to put a person on the moral path in life, offering ethical guidance and insight into Jewish tradition and scripture. A millennia and a half later, Ben Franklin created his own plan for a moral life. He identified 13 virtues as the framework for self-improvement and started his mutual-improvement club as a support group to keep him and his peers on track.
The initiative we’re calling Ben Franklin Meets Pirkei Avot pairs Franklin’s virtues — temperance, silence, order, resolution, frugality, industry, sincerity, justice, moderation, cleanliness, tranquility, chastity and humility — with corresponding selections from Pirkei Avot. The toolkit and resources below — created by 92Y, the Union for Reform Judaism and Central Synagogue — provide a side-by-side comparison of two great traditions. Download the full toolkit or one for each individual virtue. Use the readings, questions and outline provided to facilitate a unique and powerful dialogue about Jewish and American values.
“Eat not to dullness and drink not to elevation.”
Additional Resources:
“Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself. Avoid trifling conversation.”
Additional Resources:
“Let all your things have their places. Let each part of your business have its time.”
Additional Resources:
“Make no expense but to do good to others or yourself: i.e. Waste nothing.”
Additional Resources:
Blog Post: Ben Franklin Has Something to Say to Millennials Directly
“Lose no time. Be always employed in something useful. Cut off all unnecessary actions.”
Additional Resources:
“Use no hurtful deceit. Think innocently and justly; and, if you speak, speak accordingly.”
Additional Resources:
“Wrong none, by doing injuries or omitting the benefits that are your duty.”
Additional Resources:
Justice Is Not Important for Its Own Sake
Elie Wiesel in Modern Tales: Jewish Attitudes Toward Justice
“Avoid extremes. Forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.”
Additional Resources:
The Golden Mean and the Horses’ Path
Moderation: How Much Is Too Much?
“Tolerate no uncleanness in body, clothes or habitation.”
Additional Resources:
Marie Kondo: The Three Steps to Her Konmari Method
“Be not disturbed at trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.”
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“Imitate Jesus and Socrates.”
Additional Resources:
Blog Post: A Lesson in Humility
