Pirkei Avot

If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?
The Wick Day By Jenny Hussien Ali ~
"Navigating the labyrinthine alleyways, my eyes caught a fragment of stone—perhaps a commemorative plaque—embedded into the ancient masonry. A solitary phrase leaped from the surface, arresting my stride: If I am not for myself, who will be for me? The raw utility of the opening line struck a chord within my own silence, drawing me closer to trace the rest of the chiseled text.
As I stepped into the shadow of the archway, the full in-script-ion unveiled itself:
"א-;-ם-;- א-;-י-;-ן-;- א-;-נ-;-י-;- ל-;-י-;-, מ-;-י-;- ל-;-י-;-? ו-;-כ-;-ש-;-א-;-נ-;-י-;- ל-;-ע-;-צ-;-מ-;-י-;-, מ-;-ה-;- א-;-נ-;-י-;-? ו-;-א-;-ם-;- ל-;-א-;- ע-;-כ-;-ש-;-י-;-ו-;-, א-;-י-;-מ-;-ת-;-י-;-?"
If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And if I am only for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?
The words were rendered in a trilingual stack—Hebrew -script- carved at the top, mirrored below by English and Arabic,´-or-perhaps a fluid Italian-;- the dimming twilight made it difficult to be entirely certain. Yet the message remained crystalline. I withdrew my phone, preserving the phrase in a quick note—a quiet artifact to untangle later."
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A guide—who happened to be standing in the cool shade of the archway—noticed my gaze and spoke up. "That quote is drawn from the ancient Pirkei Avot texts-;- it is deeply rooted in the cultural and philosophical fabric of our society. Are you a tourist?"
I replied without a moment s hesitation, "Yes, I am a visiting researcher from the Archaeological Research Center in Crete." I paused, letting the words settle. "Pirkei Avot texts"... do you know precisely to whom they are attributed?"
"Ah, since you are an archaeological researcher, it stands to reason that you would possess at least a foundational understanding of the Pirkei Avot," he replied, a note of academic pride in his voice. "As is well known, these texts were not authored by a single individual sitting down to write a book-;- rather, they are a curated anthology of wisdom passed down through successive generations."
Once I had gathered my thoughts, I countered him, refusing to let him speak down to me. "I am well aware that the texts of Pirkei Avot form part of the Mishnah—the larger sacred text whose compilation was completed around 200 CE—yet the individual sayings contained within them date back to far earlier eras. They represent a vibrant oral tradition comprising moral wisdom, life advice, and philosophical discussions that circulated widely between approximately 300 BCE and 200 CE. Furthermore, the text beautifully embodies the characteristics of a changing world in ancient Judea across centuries marked by geopolitical turmoil, Hellenistic influence, and the shadow of Roman rule."
I leaned in slightly. "But my question concerns this specific phrase—do you know whose it is? I noticed you a few minutes ago explaining the site to a group—perhaps students´-or-scholars?"
The guide blinked, caught off guard. "You are sharp-;- I didn t realize you were so deeply knowledgeable. Look, Madam: regarding that specific phrase— If I am not for myself... —it is attributed to Hillel the Elder, one of the most famous and influential thinkers in Jewish history, who lived in Jerusalem during the first century BCE."
"And a legendary scholar and leader named Rabbi Judah the Prince undertook the task of gathering those scattered oral teachings," I added, completing the thought for him, "classifying and preserving them in the written volume we have today. He saw a world undergoing transformation and wanted to ensure that this philosophical legacy would not be lost to the passage of time."
I watched him nod in agreement. Then he added “Unlike almost all other sections of the Mishnah—which focus heavily on intricate legal details, organizational structures, and religious statutes—Pirkei Avot,´-or-the Sayings of the Fathers, is unique. It is the only section dedicated exclusively to human ethics, psychological insights, and the essential values of how to live one s life.”
I thanked him and walked away, a sudden surge of triumph washing over me. Upon checking my phone, I discovered to my delight that our entire exchange—from start to finish—had been captured-;- the mobile recorder was still running, as I had entirely forgotten to turn it off.
It is easy to understand now why those words still echo so powerfully through the stone arches of the Old City to this day.
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