Why does Pirkei Avot begin with the listing of the Mesorah?

The beginning of Pirkei Avot with the listing of the Mesorah serves to highlight the significance of the oral transmission of the Torah and its teachings through generations. This chain of tradition connects the teachings of the sages back to Sinai, demonstrating that the ideas and ethical principles presented in Pirkei Avot are not merely arbitrary thoughts; rather, they are grounded in a rich heritage of Jewish learning and authority.

By framing the text this way, it emphasizes that the moral and ethical guidance offered is part of a larger body of knowledge that has been carefully preserved and passed down orally. This reflects the importance of the oral Torah in Jewish tradition as a vital complement to the written Torah, ensuring that its interpretation and application remain dynamic and relevant to the lived experience of the Jewish people.

Highlighting the oral transmission underscores the cohesive and communal nature of learning and observance, reminding the reader that teachings are not only personal insights but have been vetted through a lineage of respected authority figures.