Discussion Questions for Mishnah, Pirkei Avot 3:17 (Modified Translation)
- In your own words, what is this text saying? What is “Torah?” What is “flour?”
- What does this text teach us about the relationship between work and one’s quality of life?
- How might workers’ needs for “Torah?” and “flour” come in conflict with employers’ needs for “Torah?” and “flour?”
- If you were a worker during this time, how might you interpret this text? How could this text support the mission of joining a union to fight for better wages and working conditions?
- If you were a factory owner during this time, how might you interpret this text? How could this text support the decision to keep a union out of your factory?
- Does this text seem to favor the perspective of the worker, the factory owner, or is it neutral? What makes you say that?
- After your discussion ask if any of the other groups have a different interpretation of your text that they would like to share.
Now prepare a short presentation for the other groups in which you will share your text and then discuss:
