Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiryahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 1/27/2017, 6:15 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos (5;7) says that "there are seven traits of a golem and seven of a wise man."
The Rambam and Meiri, explain that a golem is a person who has intellectual abilities and has acquired good character traits as well but these are not used by him in the proper way.
The Mishna contrast the wise man to the golem, in seven ways. The first trait is that the wise man does not speak in front of someone who is greater than him in wisdom. This applies in a situation where two (or more) people are asked a question the question should be left to the wisest person to answer. Obviously this means the wisest person in the relevant subject.
We have to contemplate why this is so important. There is an obvious aspect of humility which a person shows by deferring the question to the wisest person and not answering themselves. But if this was the point then even if he is the wisest person maybe he should defer to someone less wise as long as they are able to answer the question.
I would like to suggest based on the other traits the Mishna enumerates, that the greatness of the wise man is that he truly seeks the truth. He wants the truth to come out and be revealed. Therefore, if he is the wisest he should answer because the probability of a truthful correct answer emerging is much greater than some who is less wise answering. The same goes for the less wise person, he should defer to the wiser man because he knows the answer will most likely be more truthful.
Most people if they know the answer they will be inclined to speak up in order to show-off their knowledge and wisdom. We need to train ourselves to seek the truth and in pursuit of the truth that sometimes means taking a step back and letting someone else take the lead. Many times we may have an idea to help people or fix some problem and we usually like to spearhead and be the one behind the initiative. If we are seekers of truth though we should want the best person to spearhead the effort even if it isn't us.