New on the Shelf: Two Books of "Treasures of Jewish Wisdom" by Rabbi Zamir Cohen

Many dilemmas and doubts on matters of character and conduct confront anyone seeking truth. How does one know the golden path to follow?

This question opens the introduction to Rabbi Zamir Cohen's new book, "Crown of Knowledge" – two volumes on Pirkei Avot. Pirkei Avot is the name of a wonderful tractate in the Nezikin order of the Mishnah. While other tractates deal with Halachic topics, Avot focuses on the proper conduct for someone who wants to live life according to Hashem's will. Simply put, if you want to live a quality life according to Hashem's way, read Pirkei Avot.

Pirkei Avot is part of the Nezikin order in the Mishnah. Among the six orders of the Mishnah, the Nezikin order mostly deals with monetary laws – neighborly damages, lost and found items, legal judgments, and more. Naturally, in an order dealing with interpersonal issues from the Halachic perspective, this special tractate, addressing interpersonal matters from the moral perspective, is included.

So, What Do We Learn in Pirkei Avot?

Every person encounters situations in life where they feel puzzled and uncertain about how to act correctly. These are not necessarily Halachic dilemmas but everyday interpersonal topics, questions of what to say, how to respond, and so on. Pirkei Avot provides us with the wise and concise sayings of our Sages, offering everyone, at any point in their lives, a treasure trove of guidance on every topic and matter.

The rich guidance offered in Pirkei Avot helps those who learn it to conduct themselves in the best and most appropriate way, achieve spiritual completeness, please their Creator, and simultaneously reach happy and fulfilling lives, being a person liked and loved by their environment and family, and accumulating knowledge to give advice on correct conduct in any matter.

Pirkei Avot begins with a description of the lineage, how the Torah was transmitted from Moses our teacher to his students and their students up to today. Why is the subject of transmitting the Torah from generation to generation important in a tractate about good conduct, compared to other tractates dealing with the Torah's laws? The answer is also found in the tractate's name, "Avot" (Fathers). Most tractates in the Mishnah are named after their main topic. So why isn't this tractate called "Character Traits" or "Conducts"? The answer to both these questions is that it is critical we remember that the topic of character work was also handed down from our fathers, generation after generation, together with the Torah. To reach completeness in serving Hashem, it is not enough to observe the commandments literally – one must also work on character traits, interpersonal relationships, and proper conduct.

From the Synagogue Lessons to the Books

The new books were written based on transcriptions of lectures delivered by Rabbi Zamir Cohen. Lectures on which the book is based were given to groups of scholars at the "Heichal Meir" Yeshiva in Bnei Brak and a mostly traditional audience in the Great Synagogue in Tel Aviv. Naturally, the lectures were given to different audiences, in different languages, with different emphases. Nonetheless, two such different audiences, two different styles of lectures, have converged into one book. How? Rabbi Zamir Cohen explains that "in editing the book, emphasis was placed on content that would suit all types of learners. And that's what's wonderful about Pirkei Avot," he adds, "that anyone, at any spiritual level, can find in it the guidance they seek so much in every matter of their lives."

And how did the idea of transcribing Rabbi Cohen's lectures come about? Rabbi Zamir answers that "the first book transcribed and edited from the lectures was 'The Man and His World,' initiated and executed by Rabbi Yitzchak Pozen, who became well-known for publishing the wonderful books of Rabbi Pinchas zt"l, based on his unique lectures. The current book resulted from a phone call I received from a dear, devoted man of Torah, named Chaim Ezer. He recounted that during countless hours of traveling across the US for business, he listened to the series of lectures on Pirkei Avot and requested to edit the lectures into a book. About a year and a half passed, and with Hashem's help, the two volumes were published."

Indeed, the books have been published, with the help of Heaven, and can be purchased at the Ohr HaChaim bookstore chain and, of course, at Hidabroot Shops. Currently, a special offer is available at Hidabroot Shops for anyone choosing to purchase several sets of the books as gifts for friends and acquaintances. It's worth hurrying and making a purchase now.

In conclusion, we asked Rabbi Zamir Cohen about the books he is currently working on. "Mainly halachic responses, as well as a book on the Thirteen Principles of Judaism, and a book on the Reasons for the Commandments," Rabbi Zamir summarizes his extensive endeavors in a few simple words. "My prayer is that Hashem will help us complete them quickly and publish them."

To purchase Rabbi Zamir Cohen's set of books on Pirkei Avot at Hidabroot Shops, click here.