Pirkei Avot 2:16 has many translations; one that is familiar to many is, “It is not your duty to finish the work, but neither are you at liberty to turn away.”
When thinking about this passage, there are many ways of interpreting.
I have been a CPA for over 40 years, and it is my duty to finish the work. Tax returns have a due date, financial statements need to be prepared, and work needs to be completed. Extensions do exist; not every return is due on April 15. My wife, Ellen, is fond of saying, “It’s always a 15th.”
But in the world of deadlines, one must strive to do their best to finish the work correctly. Reaching out to others for their knowledge and expertise so things are done properly, asking questions, and making sound decisions. Sometimes, after careful consideration, one may turn away from the work. Not due to finishing timely, but due to ethical considerations. Occasionally, one must turn away.
At Temple Jeremiah, I have had the privilege of serving on various committees and being a member of our Board and Executive Board for several years. Believe it or not, everyone was not always in agreement with each other. Occasionally, the work was not going to be finished the way I envisioned. However, once a decision was made, I was not going to turn away. We move forward as a Temple community. Still being able to question but not be destructive or harmful with our words or actions.
Finally, as this passage relates to family, the work as a husband, father, grandfather, relative, and friend is ongoing and will never finish. There is always more work in developing, maintaining, and nurturing relationships.
Best wishes for a Happy, Healthy New Year.
Jeff Krupp