Subject: In Memory of Baruch Yitzchak ben Yirmiyahu (Barry Pessin)
From: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
Date: 2/3/2017, 2:52 AM
To: Heath Berkin <heath.berkin@gmail.com>
BCC: menachem@alonsystems.com
The Mishna in Avos (5;7) says "there are seven distinctions between a golem and a wise person....(a wise person) doesn't enter into the words of his friend".
Continuing on from last week, the second distinction between a golem and a wise person is whether or not they interrupt their friend when they are speaking. In order to show people the proper respect they deserve and to take into account what they are saying one should always wait until their friend has finished making their statement, argument, objection etc. before jumping in to respond.
Many times in the heat of debate (or argument) our emotions run high and we jump in before we hear what the other person has to say. Not only does this escalate the situation but it prevents both sides from hearing each other out and coming to some mutual understanding. In these situations we usually aren't too concerned what the other person has to say as much as we are concerned with having our view point heard and accepted. We therefore have a tendency to jump in (and in many cases raise our voices) totally cutting off our friend from making their views/opinions heard.
The wise person on the other hand is able to take a step back and listen patiently to what their friend has to say, consider their words and then respond accordingly. This is easier said than done but something we (or at least I) can strive to do. Let your friend finish and consider his/her words and opinions.