Wisdom From The Talmud

The prattle of a child is either from his father or from his mother. – Sukkah 56b

Children adopt the language and attitudes they are raised with. The entire family of Miriambat Bilga, a woman from a priestly clan who spoke against G‑d, was penalized. Why? Because her harsh and blasphemous words did not appear in a vacuum. They were the result of the mocking and cynical atmosphere of her childhood home.

The ewe follows the ewe; the daughter’s actions are the same as her mother’s. – Ketubot 63a

Rabbi Akiva’s wife married him when he was a simple shepherd and encouraged him to study Torah. Their daughter then did the same for her husband, BenAzzai, who became a scholar. The sages quote this adage, noting that children learn compassion from their parents.

A pot belonging to partners is neither hot nor cold. – Eiruvin 3b

When more than one person is responsible for something, it is common for neither to take responsibility. It is for this reason, say the sages of the Talmud, that shared spaces are most likely to be neglected.

A single sharp pepper is better than a basketful of gourds. – Yoma 85b

No matter how many gourds a person may acquire, he will not be able to extract anywhere near the amount of flavor of a single pepper, rich in flavor. In the same vein, one strong argument is worth more than an array of weak ones.

In the spoon that the carpenter himself made, the mustard will burn his palate. – Pesachim 28a

Sometimes we are our own worst enemies, setting ourselves up in messes only we ourselves could have possibly created.

Either a friend or death. – Taanit 23a

Life without peers is not worth living. We need social interaction to live meaningfully. Likewise, once a person has lived to the point that they no longer have friends, even death becomes a welcome respite.

He who has been bitten by a snake is scared of a rope. – Shir Hashirim Rabbah 1:14

The traumatic experiences of our past can be reconjured by the simplest triggers.

In my town I am known by my name. When away, I am known by my clothing. – Shabbat 145b

When away from home, clothing takes on more significance, as it signals to others who we are and how we view ourselves. In Babylon, the Talmudic scholars were particular to wear identifiable garb so that people would recognize them as scholars.

From the fat of the unlucky person, the weasel and the cat make a wedding. – Sanhedrin 105a

The weasel and the cat are natural rivals. Yet, when there is fat from which they can both benefit, they set aside their animus to enjoy the bounty. Similarly, a common foe often leads human enemies to set aside their differences and work together peacefully.

A hungry dog will even eat dung. – Bava Kama 92b

When we are desperate, we are easily drawn to solutions that we know will never work, like dung that cannot nourish. It is crucial to remember that dung is dung, no matter how hungry we may become.

One whose family member has been hanged will not say “hang a fish for me.” – Bava Metzia 59b

Words have power. The same words that can be completely neutral to one person can be biting and painful for another.

Poverty follows the poor. – Bava Kama 92a

At times it seems as if one misfortune has a habit of dragging more misfortune on its unfortunate heels.

When a camel tries to get horns, his ears are cut off. – Sanhedrin 106a

It is important to know our limits. When we pursue that which is not due us, we lose that which is rightfully ours.

If you have a fault, be the first to say it. – Bava Kama 92b

The effort to keep something secret can be more scandalous than the blemish itself. Honesty and forthrightness are often rewarded with acceptance and forgiveness.

Don’t throw stones into the well from which you drank. – Bava Kama 92b

Always be kind to those from whom you once benefited.

Sell your herbs in a place where herbs grow. – Menachot 85a

Competition may be fiercer than in a place where herbs are unknown, but at least there will be purchasers who understand and appreciate the benefits of your wares.

Use an expensive goblet today; tomorrow let it break. – Berachot 28a

Often we are so worried about what might happen that we do nothing at all. Holding onto a set of expensive cups but never using them lest they break is a perfect example. Sometimes, it is wise and prudent to take risks.

Mix feed for an ox, mix feed for oxen. – Bava Metzia 69a

If you’re doing a favor for one person, try to include others in need of the same favor. Once a person goes to the effort and expense of feeding a single ox, to prepare for another is not nearly as big an effort.

Whether you are right or wrong, don’t swear. – Jerusalem Talmud, Shavuot 6:5

Even though it is technically allowed, and often the only way a person can defend his good name, it is always best not to take an oath.

Don’t do favors for evildoers, and no evil will befall you. – Genesis Rabbah 22:17

An indiscriminate favor can end up biting the hand of the benefactor.

From your debtor, take straw. – Bava Kama 15b

A precursor to “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” If your debtor offers you payment, even if it is in the form of undesirable straw, take it, lest you get nothing at all. Sometimes, second best is the best available option.

If your nephew becomes a policeman, steer clear of him in the marketplace. – Yoma 18a

Having a person of authority too intimately aware of your business can lead to no good.

Even when you’re minding your own business, your enemy feels threatened. – Bava Kama 92a

Sometimes we perceive things to be threats even when they are entirely innocuous. An enemy sees vicious plotting even behind the most innocent stroll.

If an ox runs and trips, a horse is put in its place. – Sanhedrin 95b

Less-than-ideal relationships are often hard to break. An ox is far superior to a horse in strength. Yet, when the ox is not available, the master has no choice but to use a horse for his work. And once that happens, the master becomes accustomed to the horse and finds it difficult to switch back to an ox.

Better to be cursed than to curse. – Sanhedrin 98b

The innocent recipient of a curse knows that he himself has done nothing wrong. The same cannot be said for the one who heaped harsh words upon another. Furthermore, the sages note that the curses a person dispenses ultimately return to their giver and become true for him.

According to the camel is its load. – Sanhedrin 49a

A load that is small for one camel may overwhelm another. In the same way, each person must give charity according to their means, not comparing their offerings to those of others.

Sixty runners run and do not reach the person who ate in the morning. – Ketubot 67a

Eating a hearty breakfast gives a person the energy he or she needs to face the day with vigor, optimism, and strength.

If you lift the load with me, I will be able to lift it; and if you will not, I won’t lift it. – Bava Kama 92b

The effort of two people equals more than the sum of each person’s strengths added together. When we support each other, we can all accomplish more than we could on our own.

One who takes revenge due to his zealotry destroys his own house. – Sanhedrin 102b

Revenge may feel good in the short term, but it is the avenger that ends up suffering.

If your wife is short, bend down and whisper to her. – Bava Metzia 59a

As every married man learns, his wife generally has wise words to share—worth listening to, even if it means humbling himself.

When our love was strong, we could have lain on the blade of a sword. Now that our love is not strong, a bed of sixty cubits is insufficient. – Sanhedrin 7a

Rav Huna overheard a passerby using this comparison and understood that the same truth applies to G‑d and Israel. When we were spiritually attuned, we merited to be together with G‑d in the confines of the Tabernacle. Today, however, there is no place in the world that can contain Him.

If a dog barks at you, stay; if a female dog barks at you, leave. – Eruvin 86a

The woman is the mainstay of the house, and she has the final say on who may stay and who must leave.

A thief standing at the entrance of the tunnel calls out to G‑d. – Berachot 63a

A precursor to “there are no atheists in foxholes,” this adage tells us that everyone, even a thief, calls out to G‑d in his or her time of need.

A single coin in an empty flask makes the most noise. – Bava Metzia 85b

When a person rises above a family history of ignorance and apathy toward study Torah, the contrast is immediately apparent.

Shake off the salt, and throw the meat to the dog. – Niddah 31a

Even the choicest of foods becomes tasteless without salt. Similarly, it is the divine spark, the soul, that gives life to the body. Once the soul departs, all that is left is a lifeless body of flesh and bone.

Wine belongs to the master. Thanks goes to the waiter. – Bava Kama 92b

In the Talmud, this is quoted as a fact of life. But it is also a question. Can it be that the wine belongs to the master but people still give credit to the waiter? Fools fail to recognize that the waiter is but an agent of the master, and that currying favor with the lowly waiter will not get them anything. G‑d is the Master of the Universe, but pagans foolishly worshiped his inanimate agents, the celestial bodies, and other natural phenomena.

A myrtle among thorns is still called a myrtle. – Sanhedrin 44a

Even if a person sins, surrounding his soul with thorns and bramble, the essence of the soul remains pure and untainted.

My judical decisions you should carry out, and my statutes you should keep as to walk in them… and you must keep my statutes and my judical decisions, which if a man will do, he must also live by means of them. [Leviticus, 18:4-5]

The Sanctity of Life – The definitive interpretation of these verses is found in a famous passage from the Talmud which says live by means of them, not die by means of them. [Yoma, 85a-b]  The implication is that the preservation of life – and in many cases health, physiological and/or pychological takes precedence over God’s commandments.  For example, in a life or death emergency you can drive on the Sabbath.

Who is Wise?

Who Is Brave?

Who Is Rich?

Who Is Honored?

May you live to see your world fulfilled,
May your destiny be for worlds still to come,
And may you trust in generations past and yet
   to be.
May your heart be filled with intuition
and your words be filled with insight.
May songs of praise ever be upon your tongue
and your vision be on a straight path before you.
May your eyes shine with the light of holy words
and your face reflect the brightness of the heavens.
May your lips speak wisdom
and your fulfillment be in righteousness
even as you ever yearn to hear the words
of the Holy Ancient One of Old. – Talmud Berakhot 17a

The highest form of wisdom is kindness. —Berakhot 17a

A person’s true character is ascertained by three parameters: his cup – i.e., his behavior when he drinks, his pocket – i.e., his financial dealings, and his anger – Rabbi Ilai, Eruvin 65b.
A prisoner cannot free himself – Berachot 5b.

Anyone who introduces excessive fear into his house will ultimately cause three sins: infidelity, murder, and Sabbath desecration – Gittin 6b.

Be wary of authorities who befriend a person for their own purposes. They appear loving when it is beneficial to them, but do not stand by the other person in his time of distress – Rabban Gamliel, Avot 2:3.

Do not appease a person while he is still angry – Avot 4:18.

Do not celebrate among the mourners, and do not weep among revelers – Kallah 10.

Do not say something that should never be heard, because ultimately it will be heard – Hillel the Elder, Avot 4:2.

Even a poor person who subsists on the charity of others should perform [acts of] charity – Gittin 7a.

If a person says I have worked hard but have not found [success], don’t believe him. [If a person says] I have not exerted myself, and I have found [success], don’t believe him. [If he says] I gave it my all and I have found [success], believe him! – Megillah 6b.

If you have guarded your mouth from evil speech, your days will be peaceful – Derech Eretz Zuta 9.

Just as you are obligated to speak when your words will be heeded, you must remain silent when you know your words will be ignored – Yevamot 65b.

No one is [truly] poor, save for someone who is ill – Nedarim 4a.

No two minds are alike, [just as] no two faces are alike – Berachot 58a.

Once a person has sinned and repeated the sin, [he treats it] as if it has become permitted – Rav Huna, Arachin 30b.

Silence is beautiful for wise people; it is all the more beautiful for fools – Pesachim 99a.

The inclination only desires that which is forbidden – Jerusalem Talmud, Nedarim 9:1.

The liar’s punishment is that even when he speaks the truth, no one believes him – Sanhedrin 89b.

The world is a dark place for one who looks to the table of others [for his sustenance] – Rav, Beitza 32b.

There is no community where everyone is rich; neither is there a community where everyone is poor – Jerusalem Talmud, Gitten 3:7.

When we were young [we saw ourselves] as men, now [we are considered] children – Bava Kama 92b.

Youth is a crown of roses; old age is a crown of thorns – Rav Dimi, Shabbat 152a.

Hillel says: Be one of Aaron’s disciples, loving peace and pursuing it, loving mankind and bringing them near to the Torah. – 1:12 Hillel and Shammai

Hillel says: If I am not for myself, who then will be for me?  And if I am for myself alone, what am I?  And if not now, when? – 1:14 Hillel and Shammai

On three things the world stands: on justice, on truth, and on peace, as it is written, Execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates. – 1:18 Rabban Simeon ben Gamaliel

Upon three things the world stands—on the Torah, on the Temple service, and on acts of kindness. – 1:2 Simeon