Discernment

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Distinguishing the Clean from the Unclean

TANAKH

The book of Leviticus provides detailed instructions on how to identify which animals are permissible to eat and which are not, emphasizing the importance of discernment in maintaining ritual purity.

for distinguishing between the impure and the pure, between the living things that may be eaten and the living things that may not be eaten.

Leviticus 11:47

The Month of Elul

CHASIDUT

The month of Elul offers a unique opportunity for attaining new levels of understanding and spiritual growth. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov’s teachings in Likutei Etzot emphasize the importance of introspection and spiritual preparation during Elul.

The month of Elul is especially propitious for attaining new levels of understanding which are still beyond you. When you succeed in bringing these levels within the range of your comprehension you will then see further horizons beyond you. In this way you form new garments for your soul and you will be saved from all evil (Ibid.).

Likkutei Etzot, Knowledge 14

The Unique Nature of Da’as

CHASIDUT

In contemporary Jewish thought, particularly in Kabbalah and Chassidus, da’as is a unique attribute that bridges wisdom (chochmah) and understanding (binah). It both connects and separates ideas, playing a crucial role in integrating wisdom and understanding into one's personality.

Da’as implies connection and separation. Da’as implies connection, as the attachment between husband and wife is called in the Torah a da’as relationship. It also connotes a separation as evidenced in the statement of the Jerusalem Talmud, “Without da’as how could distinction be drawn?” Da’as means focusing upon and blending together the ideas from intuition (chochmah) and understanding (binah). To focus on a thought, I must separate my mind from other concepts and attach it exclusively to a single topic…

Flames of Faith 20:12

The Necessity of Witnesses

TARGUM

Even the most discerning of judges, like King Solomon, must adhere to the Torah's requirement for witnesses in judicial matters. The Aramaic Targum to Ecclesiastes emphasizes the necessity of witnesses in legal judgments.

10. King Solomon, who was called Kohelet, tried in his wisdom to judge people according to the thoughts of their hearts (minds) without witnesses. Therefore, it was told to him by the spirit of prophecy from 'ה, this is already written in the Torah by Moses the teacher of Israel-- proper are the words and true: "By the word of witnesses shall the matter be established."

Aramaic Targum to Ecclesiastes 12:10

Two Schools of Thought

REFERENCE

The contrasting approaches of Beit Shammai and Beit Hillel in interpreting commandments offer profound insights into the development of Jewish law and thought. This text explores the literalist approach of Shammai and the more intention-focused approach of Hillel, highlighting their impact on early Rabbinic Judaism.

The school of Shammai never deviated from the literal meaning of the text of a commandment while the school of Hillel always studied the possible intentions of the text first and only later did they issue their edict according to reason and for the betterment of humanity. For these reasons the school of Shammai always decreed the law in its severest interpretation while the school of Hillel tended to lighten the burden whenever possible.

The Jewish Spiritual Heroes, Volume I; The Creators of the Mishna, Shammai, Hillel's Colleague 28

Discernment in Leadership

SECOND TEMPLE

Philo of Alexandria explores the virtues that qualify a person to lead and exercise discernment over others. This Hellenistic Jewish philosopher harmonizes Jewish theology with Greek philosophy, offering a unique perspective.

[153] For in truth the prudent man is ruler of the imprudent, for he knows what he should and should not do, and the temperate of the intemperate, for he has studied carefully how to choose and how to avoid: the brave man of the coward because he has learned with certainty what he should and should not endure: the just of the unjust, because he aims at unbiased equality in what he has to award: the holy of the unholy because high and true conceptions of God prevail with him.

On the Change of Names 28:3

Joseph's Expertise in Discernment

MIDRASH

Joseph used a strategic and meticulous process to discern the situation with his brothers when they arrive in Egypt due to the famine in their homeland. The Midrash Tanchuma, an early medieval collection of midrash, offers a deep, narrative-driven exploration of this story.

R. Judah the son of Simeon held that Joseph was aware that his brothers were descending to Egypt to obtain corn. What did he do? He stationed guards at each gate and ordered them to examine every person who entered to purchase food. They were to record his name, and the name of his father, and then to bring the list to him. They did as directed. When Jacob’s sons entered through different gates, their names and the name of their father were written down. At night, they (the guards) brought their lists to Joseph…

Midrash Tanchuma, Miketz 8:2

Abraham's Keen Discernment

COMMENTARY

Abraham's ability to discern the unspoken needs of the three angels showcases his exceptional hospitality and empathy. The Tze'enah Ure'enah, a 16th-century Yiddish commentary, offers details to further explain and illustrate this moment in the story.

“He saw them and he ran toward them” [18:2]. Abraham first saw the three angels standing together and he saw that they were thinking and did not want to go into Abraham’s house, because they did not want to trouble Abraham. He understood this and immediately ran toward them and asked them to come and eat.

Tze'enah Ure'enah, Vayera 4

Ruth's Personal Journey

COMMENTARY

Rut's journey in the Book of Ruth showcases her growth and increased autonomy in decision-making. Rabbi Chaim Jachter’s contemporary commentary on the Book of Ruth, 'From Chaos to Kingship,' delves into these themes, guided by classic interpretations and enriched by insights from his students.

Consider the import of this insight. This communicates that Rut had improved and learned the Jewish way of tzniut during the months she had spent with Boaz’s female workers. In addition, it demonstrates that Rut was not acting like a robot, blindly obeying Naomi’s directives. Instead, she was also thinking for herself and making deliberate choices. Rut’s confidence in making decisions independent of Naomi reflects Rut’s improved self-esteem, correcting her earlier slip in self-esteem in her conversation with Boaz.

Megillat Ruth; From Chaos to Kingship, Perek 3 22:3

Openness To Differing Viewpoints

MISHNAH

The example of Shammai and Hillel teaches the importance of flexibility and openness to differing viewpoints. The Mishnah, the first codification of Jewish law from the early third-century land of Israel, records diverse opinions to highlight the importance of debate and multiple perspectives.

And why do they record the opinions of Shammai and Hillel for naught? To teach the following generations that a man should not [always] persist in his opinion, for behold, the fathers of the world did not persist in their opinion.

Mishnah Eduyot 1:4

Scholars' Commitment to Discernment

LITURGY

This text from the Selichot prayers highlights the dedication of Jewish scholars to Torah study and legal decisions despite adversities.

Daily they search and ponder in their hearts [to determine] what is forbidden and what is permitted, and verbally expound their decisions. Between the clean and the unclean, they distinguish and teach; despite distress and privation, their eyes are filled with light.

Selichot Nusach Ashkenaz Lita, Fast of Gedaliah 16:8

Discernment and Divine Wisdom

KABBALAH

Joseph's ability to interpret dreams and provide wise counsel is attributed to divine revelation. The Zohar, a foundational work of Jewish mysticism, offers a mystical interpretation of the biblical story of Joseph, emphasizing the divine source of his wisdom.

Hence it is written: AND PHARAOH SAID UNTO JOSEPH: FORASMUCH AS GOD HATH SHOWN THEE ALL THIS, THERE IS NONE SO DISCREET AND WISE AS THOU. As if to say: You seem to have been there at the time I dreamt my dream and to have seen the dream together with its interpretation.”

Zohar, Miketz 5:59

The Many Types of Reason

JEWISH THOUGHT

Rambam explores the multifaceted nature of reason, emphasizing its crucial role in acquiring knowledge and ethical discernment. In his ethical treatise, Eight Chapters, Rambam delves into the practical and speculative functions of reason.

Reason, that faculty peculiar to man, enables him to understand, reflect, acquire knowledge of the sciences, and to discriminate between proper and improper actions. Its functions are partly practical and partly speculative (theoretical), the practical being, in turn, either mechanical or intellectual. By means of the speculative power, man knows things as they really are, and which, by their nature, are not subject to change. These are called the sciences in general…

Eight Chapters 1:9-10

The Role of the Sages in Interpreting Torah

GUIDES

The Sages are the authoritative interpreters of the Torah, tasked with applying its laws to various circumstances and resolving contradictions. In the introduction to the Babylonian Talmud in tractate Sanhedrin, Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz explains the critical role of the Sages in Jewish law.

While the principles and many details guiding the life of the Jewish people are spelled out in the Torah, the application of these laws is determined by the Sages, who are also judges. They are entrusted to determine the authoritative interpretation of the law: How it is to be applied to various circumstances, how to evaluate various facts and situations, and how to resolve apparent contradictions and competing interpretations of the halakhot.

Introductions to the Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin, Introduction to Perek I 5

Relatedראו גם

People with Understanding

Sages

Understanding (תבונה)

Svara

Brains

Nature of Man and his Character Traits

Sheetsדפי מקורות

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