Avot of Rabbi Natan - The Methodology

The Methodology

The content of the two recensions differ from each other considerably, although the method is the same in both. The separate sentences of the Mishnah Avot are generally taken as texts, which are either briefly explained—the ethical lessons contained therein being supported by reference to Biblical passages—or fully illustrated by narratives and legends. Sometimes long digressions are made by introducing subjects connected only loosely with the text. This method may be illustrated by the following example: Commenting on the sentence of Simon the Just, in Pirkei Avoth, i. 2, which designates charity as one of the three pillars on which the world rests, the Avot de-Rabbi Nathan (recension A) reads as follows:

How on charity? Behold, the prophet (Hosea, vi. 6) said in the name of the Lord, 'I desired charity, and not sacrifice.' The world was created only by charity, as is said (Ps. lxxxix. 3), 'Mercy shall be built up for ever' (or, as the rabbis translate this passage, 'The world is built on mercy'). Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai, accompanied by R. Joshua, once passed Jerusalem . While looking upon the city and the ruins of the Temple, R. Joshua exclaimed, 'Wo unto us, that the holy place is destroyed which atoned for our sins!' R. Yochanan replied, 'My son, do not grieve on this account, for we have another atonement for our sins; it is charity, as is said, I desired charity, and not sacrifice. (Ch. iv.)

The chapters of the two recensions of Avot de-Rabbi Nathan correspond with those of the Mishnah Avot as follows:

• Chaps. i. to xi. of recension A and chaps. i. to xxiii. of recension B correspond with chap. i. 1-11 in Pirkei Avoth, dealing with saying of the Zugoth.
• Chaps. xii. to xix. of A and chaps. xxiv. to xxix. of B correspond with chap. i. 12-18 and the whole of chap. ii. in Pirkei Avoth, dealing with the teachings of Hillel, Shammai, Yohanan ben Zakkai and his disciples
• Chaps. xx. to xxx. of A and chaps. xxx. to xxxv. of B correspond with chaps. iii. and iv. in Pirkei Avoth, an independent mishnaic collection
• Chaps. xxxi. to xli. of A and chaps. xxxvi. to xlviii. of B correspond with chap. v. in Pirḳei Avoth, a collection of anonymous statement related by form