Editing Mesechtas Avot (section)

== Learning Pirkei Avot on Summer Shabbats ==
The custom of learning Pirkei Avot is to read Pirkei Avot on summer Shabbats close to the Mincha prayer. According to Chabad custom (and Ashkenazi communities), the tractate is read on Shabbats from Pesach until Rosh Hashanah. In total, all six chapters of the tractate are recited in four cycles during these weeks.

The roots of the custom to read Mesechet Avot on Shabbat after Mincha date back to the Gaonic period, and it was established by Rav Sar-Shalom Gaon and Rav Saadia Gaon (Rasag) in memory of Moshe Rabbeinu who passed away at this time. Since on one hand we don't practice Torah study at the time when a great Jewish leader passed away, but on the other hand they didn't want to cause a great cessation of Torah study, they established the recitation of Pirkei Avot.

Another reason is to prepare the Jewish people for the holiday of Matan Torah by studying derech eretz, middot, and mussar, the subjects that appear in this tractate.

The mnemonic to remember the Shabbats on which we begin a new cycle of learning Pirkei Avot is "Nefesh": Nasso, Pinchas, Shoftim.

Regarding the recitation of Pirkei Avot when Isru Chag Pesach falls on Shabbat, creating a difference between Jews outside of Israel and Jews in Israel, the custom has spread among Chabad Chassidim to align with those outside of Israel.

==== The Rebbe's Instructions ====
Throughout the years, the Rebbe added various emphases in observing this custom:

a. Pirkei Avot is part of the Oral Torah, the study of which must specifically involve understanding and comprehension. Therefore, one should not be satisfied with merely reciting Pirkei Avot, but should study them in depth as is appropriate for Oral Torah. However, we do not demand that each and every person study in depth all the Mishnayot of each chapter every Shabbat, since it is difficult to require this, but one should at least learn one Mishnah in each chapter. This instruction is particularly relevant to Temimim (Chabad yeshiva students).

b. The recitation of Pirkei Avot should be from the Alter Rebbe's Siddur, and alongside it one should hold another book with commentaries on the Mishnah. Preferably a book with many commentaries, and only if there is no alternative – one should study with the basic commentaries, primarily Tosfot Yom Tov and Rabbi Ovadia of Bartenura.

c. The custom of learning Pirkei Avot should be publicized in synagogues, with the additions of in-depth study of at least one Mishnah with commentaries, especially for Temimim, as well as the custom to study on all summer Shabbats, not just between Pesach and Shavuot.

d. The study of Pirkei Avot should continue during the rest of the week as well.

e. The correction for someone who was not careful in learning Pirkei Avot is to influence other Jews to begin practicing this custom.

The Rebbe taught merit for those who do not study despite this being Oral Torah that depends on understanding and comprehension, since it is recited in direct continuation to the Mincha prayer.