avot

The addition of the Matriarchs to birkat avot in the Amidah may be seen as a continuation of a later midrash that Israel was saved from Egypt by the merit of the Matriarchs (and not that of the Patriarchs):

Matriarchs: A Liturgical and Theological Category. 2009

Among egalitarian religious congregations throughout the world, the most popular addition to the traditional liturgy is the mention of the Matriarchs in birkat avot (the blessing of the ancestors), the opening blessing of the Amidah:

Matriarchs: A Liturgical and Theological Category. 2009

Deeds of hesed, the subject of birkat avot in the Amidah, are deeds done for others, which the Matriarchs themselves performed beyond the required extent (Rambam, Guide to the Perplexed, 3: 53).

Matriarchs: A Liturgical and Theological Category. 2009

Corpse impurity was considered to be the most severe form of ritual impurity (avi avot ha-tumah), requiring sprinkling with waters of purification on the third and seventh days of the seven-day impurity.

Female Purity (Niddah). leBeit Yoreh 2009

Whenever my rabbi says “Our foremothers and forefathers” I always think, in keeping with the avot/imahot count “But there were four mothers and THREE fathers.”

Towards a new understanding of Secular Jewishness | Jewschool 2007

On the "merit of the fathers" ([z'chut avot]), see Schechter,

Pirke Avot Sayings of the Jewish Fathers Joseph I. Gorfinkle

Jesus leu dit incore: un homme avot deux garchens.

Charles the Bold Last Duke of Burgundy, 1433-1477 Ruth Putnam

Jesus leu dit incore: un homme avot deux garchens.

Charles the Bold Putnam, Ruth, 1856-1931 1908

See Tifferet Yisrael on mishneh in avot 3: 10, relaxing conversation OK in the right measure and with the people of appropriate stature because there is value in those conversations.

Hirhurim - Musings 2009

Your name is Terence? cos my name is daniel avot, and i'm a doctor ...

Army Rumour Service 2009