AboutRabbi Barry Dov Lerner Expertise Write to me with questions about Jewish customs and law, history,
philosophy and tradition for answers from a Conservative perspective or conversion. I am a graduate of The Jewish Theological Seminary and a member of the Conservative Rabbinical Assembly. Having served in congregational pulpits since 1970, I now am President of the Foundation For Family Education, Inc. a non-profit educational endeavor. I established it to create new formats of hands-on programs and provide free educational downloads at www.jewishfreeware.org. In addition to general informational questions I welcome your questions about programs for social action, outreach to dual-faith families, inter-faith clergy projects, healing services, education for conversion, adult education for the congregation and the community. If you have questions about Informal and Formal Education I am ready to share my extensive experience with Youth Activities, Camping and Religious School/Hebrew High School on a congregational, community and national/international level.
Experience I have served on the National Youth Commission for more than 25 years and serve on the Boards of the Conservative Zionist movement MERCAZ and the World Council of Synagogues. I have always dual-families and taught candidates for conversion with a great sense of fulfillment. I am very proud of 25 years on the Jewish camping staff of Camps Ramah. My greatest source of pride is my family! Ask me about them, please!:-)
Question What is the correct hebrew translation for the pirkei avot quote:
"It is not your responsibility to finish the work but neither are you free to desist from it."
and Hillel's quote:
"If I am not for myself, who will be for me?
If I am not for others, what am I?
And if not now, when?"
what is our responsibility as conservative Jews to live up to the values proposed in these quotations?
Answer Dear Sarah,
Thanks for writing.
The translations you sent are essentially how most would translate the texts. Are you asking whether they are reliable translations or are you asking for interpretations?
Otherwise, you may want to check with various editions of Pirkei Avot on both of these epigrams to know how various scholars have interpreted or applied these statements.
Please give me some personal background as a context for my answer. Thanks in advance.
