Avot de-Rabbi Natan

Avot of Rabbi Natan, also known as Avot de-Rabbi Nathan (ARN) (Jewish Babylonian Aramaic: אבות דרבי נתן), the first and longest of the minor tractates of the Talmud, is a Jewish aggadic work probably compiled in the geonic era (c.700–900 CE). It is a commentary on an early form of the Mishnah. It has come down in two recensions (or versions): a standard printed edition, and a second published with 48 chapters by Solomon Schechter, who designated the two recensions as A and B respectively.

Despite being one of the minor tractates, it more greatly resembles a late midrash. It may be technically designated as a homiletical exposition of the Mishnaic tractate Pirkei Avot, having for its foundation an older recension of that tractate. It also may be considered as a kind of tosefta or gemarah to the Mishna Avot, which does not possess a traditional gemarah.

ARN contains many teachings, proverbs, and incidents that are not found anywhere else in the early rabbinical literature. Other rabbinical sayings appear in a more informal style than what is found in Pirkei Avot.