There is a tradition of learning a little bit of Talmud each day as a way of ensuring that every word of this extraordinary collection of Rabbinic wisdom is studied. If you read a page a day, it will take just seven years to complete the Babylonian Talmud.
Yesterday‘s text (Eruvin 94), includes a disagreement between two great sages about a matter of Jewish law. These scholars have deep respect for one another, they’ve spent a great deal of time learning with and from each other: they are colleagues and friends.
When one sage, Shmuel, offers a legal argument that the other sage, Rav, rejects, here is how he expresses his disagreement: “Rav turned his face aside from Shmuel (אהדרינהו רב לאפיה).”
Their disciples who witnessed the disagreement understood clearly that Rav disagreed with his friend, that he rejected his reasoning. But there was no shouting, no unkind words exchanged, no ad hominem attacks—one sage gently turned away from his fellow.
When we find ourselves in a disagreement with another, let’s ask ourselves, what is the gentlest, most loving, “menchiest” way I can express my opinion?
Our world would be a better place if we were to follow Rav’s example.
— Rabbi Yoshi Zweiback
