Authors & Artists

Explore
Frames of MindMasters Series

Select by:

Proudly JewishWall of Fame

Master tab

Poster Commentary
"It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either."Rabbi Tarfon, Pirke Avot 2:21
Poster design:Bob Gill
00:00
00:00
00:00

by Irving Greenberg

The Jewish religion teaches that this world, God’s creation, is intended to be perfect. What would the perfect world look like? It would be full of life—especially its highest form, human life—and built to sustain justice, equality and peace.

But the present state of the world is so far from perfect. How can we possibly achieve tikkun olam, a repaired world? To get there, we will have to overcome the enemies of life: poverty, hunger, oppression, discrimination, war and sickness.

The Jewish answer is covenant, a loving partnership between God and humanity. We commit our lives to improving the world. We will work steadfastly, faithfully, advancing step by step, until we attain a state of total perfection.

This incremental approach means that the goal cannot be reached in one generation. Therefore, Judaism requires a partnership between the generations. Each generation will improve the world as far as it can. Then it must educate its children and pass on the mission to the next generation, until the goal is reached.

Rabbi Tarfon teaches: Do not be arrogant; do not think that you alone can finish the job. Trust in your children and generations yet unborn to take up the task. Know that you are part of the living chain of people who have dreamed, worked for a better world and carried on this mission for four thousand years in an unbroken covenant.

 

Author
Rabbi Tarfon, Pirke Avot 2:21
1st–2nd centuries CE
Lived in Palestine
Scholar of Mishnah period

Rabbi Tarfon was a Tanna, a scholar of the period of the Mishnah, and a contemporary of Rabbi Akiba. He is described in the Talmud as a man of considerable wealth and priestly descent.

Various Talmudic passages document his differences of opinion with Rabbi Akiva (Rabbi Tarfon generally followed the strict rulings of the School of Shammai), yet, at the same time, establish his profound admiration for Akiba.

Citing Rabbi Tarfon as an exemplar of the principle “Honor your father and mother,” the Talmud relates the following: When Rabbi Tarfon’s mother lost her shoe and began to look for it, Rabbi Tarfon bent down and placed his hands under her foot so she wouldn’t touch the ground barefoot.

 

Artist
Bob Gill
New York
Graphic designer
Illustrator

Bob Gill is a designer, illustrator, writer, filmmaker and teacher. He was the Gill in Fletcher/Forbes/Gill, which eventually became the international design studio Pentagram.

He was elected into the New York Art Directors’ Club Hall of Fame, and London Designers and Art Directors (D&AD) presented him with its Lifetime Achievement Award.

He’s written a number of books about design and illustration. His latest, Bob Gill, So Far, was published in 2011.

He’s now working independently and teaching in New York.

Quote
"It is not your responsibility to finish the work of perfecting the world, but you are not free to desist from it either."Rabbi Tarfon, Pirke Avot 2:21

Rabbi Tarfon says: The day is short, the task is abundant, the workers are lazy, the wage is great, and the Master of the house is insistent.  He [Rabbi Tarfon] used to say: You are not required to complete the task, yet you are not free to withdraw from it. If you have studied much Torah, they give you great reward; and know that your Employer can be relied upon to pay you the wage of your labor, but be aware that the reward of the righteous will be given in the World to Come.