Shalom my dear Chaverim, Talmidim, v' Rabbanim, friends, students and fellow rabbis.
An oneg, joy-filled, Shabbat, Sabbath, this weekend..
We continue with our exploration into the Talmudic Tractates of Derek Eretz Zuta and Rabbah. (aka Derech Eretz Zuta, aka Derech Eretz Rabbah. As was mentioned, zuta is Aramaic for 'small', and rabbah is 'large').
Remember that Derek Eretz is not about Jewish ritual. It is about how we are to treat one another and what traits of character, middot, we are to try to develop. The lessons are universal and ecumenical.
For those new to the class, Baruch ha Ba! Welcome! You can access last week's class at
or
From here you will find links to preceding classes in this series. So, together we continue:
TALMUD BAVLI
TRACTATE DEREK
ERETZ ZUTA
(aka Derech Eretz)
Today we will continue with CHAPTER 2.
Talmud Bavli Tractate Derek Eretz Zuta Verse 2:3
''Do not discuss in the presence of one who is greater than you in wisdom. If somebody wants to teach you something, do not say that you have heard it already. If you are questioned on the most unimportant matter, and you do not know it, be not ashamed to say, "I do not know." If somebody taught you something and you did not listen to it, be not ashamed to say, "Repeat it again"; and say not that you have not listened to it, but that you did not understand it.''
The above verse is about having Derek Eretz, manners, decorum, while studying. Whether we study Torah and Talmud et. al. the traditional way, one-on-one with a wiser rabbi, or the way the Reform movement developed, imitating their European and American Christian neighbors with 50 to 100 students in a class in a seminary, the lesson still holds true.
''Do not discuss in the presence of one who is greater than you in wisdom.'' How many of us have been to a synagogue's Torah class, where instead of everyone listening attentively to the learned rabbi, almost all are interrupting him giving their opinions, or even quoting a 1000 year old rabbinic commentary from the foot notes of the Chumash as their own thoughts?
When we are blessed to have some one teaching us who knows more than we do, we are to keep quiet, and learn what he or she has to teach us. And I have been guilty in years past of the opposite behavior. Many of us have. And yet in Talmud Bavli Tractate Pirkei Avot 1:4 we are taught : '' Let your home be a meeting place for the wise; dust yourself in the soil of their feet, and drink thirstily of their words.''
One of my rabbinic teaches told me many many years ago, to take the cotton out of my ears and place the cotton in my mouth. In point of fact, learning and honoring our rabbinic teachers is held at such a paramount level, that a younger rabbi cannot disagree on a matter of Halakah, Jewish law, posited by his rabbi, until his rabbinic teacher has died.
In fact the sages talk of those Jews who run to kiss the Torah while at the same time showing disrespect to Rabbinic Torah scholars. In one of my books, I called this Tor-idolatry. The sages label this behavior as hypocritical [Talmud Bavli Tractate Yoma 86a], especially when lay members make a big showing of a new Torah acquisition, and yet treat some of their fellows, especially rabbis, without loving kindness.
''If somebody wants to teach you something, do not say that you have heard it already.'' As an academic rabbi, one who teaches and continually studies and writes, I still find it amazing that some folks will tell me they aren't interested in studying as they know all they need to know about Judaism or spirituality. I understand that in today's world, it seems every rabbi has a blog or an email list, to try to teach us something. And it can be overwhelming.
So let us rephrase the above and have it mean that it would be great if we always continued to study. Rabbi Hillel of 100 BCE warns us that if we are not constantly moving ahead spiritually and with knowledge, we don't just stay in the same place, we actually regress. [Talmud Bavli Tractate Pirkei Avot 1:13]
''If you are questioned on the most unimportant matter, and you do not know it, be not ashamed to say, "I do not know."'' This lesson which I was taught a long time ago was one of the most freeing spiritual lessons for me. To be able to say, ''I don't know, but I will research it and get back to you,'' took the weight of the world off of my shoulders. To understand that Ha Shem is omniscient and that I am not, and to admit such, was liberating.
Note how the phrase says even on the ''most unimportant matter.'' As I get older I get senior brain freezes. Lol. I remember Rabbi Zeira refused to rule on cases involving menstrual blood, citing the point that he wasn't even expert in distinguishing types of Babylonian currency, let alone blood. [ Talmud Bavli Tractate Niddah 20b ].
Some days I can remember concepts, but cannot remember whom I am quoting. To be able to say , "I don't remember but I will get back to you,'' takes so much pressure off me. It also teaches humility. No one likes a know-it-all. And those who think they are, will eventually make a fool of themselves. The sages taught that a jar with one coin, makes much more noise than a jar that is tightly filled with coins.(Talmud Bavli Tractate Bava Metzia 85b)
''If somebody taught you something and you did not listen to it, be not ashamed to say, "Repeat it again"; and say not that you have not listened to it, but that you did not understand it.'' This is our last part of verse 2:3.
To be able to ask your teacher to repeat something, and to teach it again, is also a lesson in humility. There are very few of us that can learn everything, the first time we are taught it. To be able to say ''I don't understand this, could you please teach me again,'' allows one to truly learn. If we are concerned about what our fellow students think or what the teacher thinks of us, we put our studies in jeopardy. ''A bashful one cannot learn,'' [Talmud Bavli Tractate Pirkei Avot 2:5].
As we examine all of verse 2:3 as a whole, we see that in order to truly learn, we must have humility, and ego deflation.
Next week, Baruch ha Shem, we will continue with chapter two of Derek Eretz Zuta .
What are your ideas about studying and learning? How has learning that one must have humility and ego deflation helped you change your study and learning habits? How has understanding the spiritual and ethical teachings of Judaism helped you live a happier life?
Next class, Baruch ha Shem, we will continue with Derek Eretz Zuta , continuing Chapter Two. Thank you for joining me.
Shalom:
If visiting SC's Low Country, contact us for a Shabbat meal, in our home by the sea, our beth yam.
Maker of Shalom (Oseh Shalom) help make us deserving of Shalom beyond all human comprehension!
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