Pirkei Avos is the only tractate that begins with the statement that Moses received the Torah from Sinai and transmitted it, generation after generation, to the Jews for whom it was intended. Why is this said only of Avos? Because it is all too easy to think that the Torah consists primarily of laws and mitzvos, and that the Oral Law controls only deeds, dealings, and rituals, hardly anything more.

But the Sfas Emes did not live in a vacuum. He was the product of several generations of great tzaddikim, teachers, and leaders. And he, in turn, spawned children and grandchildren who were worthy heirs of a great and holy dynasty.

This superlative anthology is based primarily on the writing of Sfas Emes, but it includes many others in the Polish chain of greatness. In addition, each citation includes extracts from the original Hebrew text.

As an extra service to readers, the author has included biographical sketches of all the major figures whose comments are included in this volume.