Winds of Change.NET: 48 Ways to Wisdom: Way #12

October 18, 2002

48 Ways to Wisdom: Way #12 - Growth Through Teaching

by Joe Katzman at October 18, 2002 1:35 PM

This is a regular feature on Winds of Change. Every Friday (for Friday evening begins the Jewish Sabbath), we cover one more way to wisdom from Rabbi Noah Weinberg. These materials are written by an Orthodox Jewish Rabbi, but are written in such a way that they retain their full value no matter what creed you follow.

Think of it as a gentle and modern way of sharing 5,000+ years of accumulated wisdom.

This week's installment may seem paradoxical, but every blogger has already experienced the basic truth contained in Rabbi Weinberg's wise words:

"Way #12 is pilpul hatalmidim - literally "discussions with students." To attain wisdom for living, teaching needs to be a basic way of life. Why? Because if you can't teach an idea, then you don't really know it yourself....
Having to explain an idea to others forces you to clarify it for yourself. You examine everything much more thoroughly - the details, logical progression, etc. And you'll become ly moved by the idea.... Until you share an idea, it's not yours. It remains but a hazy notion in your imagination. Transmitting the idea to others makes it real. You've taken it out of potential and made it a reality. By reaching others, you will reach yourself."

So true.

The whole article is worth reading. Rabbi Weinberg goes on to discuss a number of related ideas, from the moral obligation to teach to valuable tips on reaching people effectively - without preaching. The goal is to inspire action, and by teaching and learning to reduce ignorance in the world.

"When you reduce ignorance in the world, even by a little bit, you give a great gift to mankind. Some diseases only a doctor can treat, but ignorance can be cured by everyone who takes wisdom seriously.
Help cure the international ignorance problem. Teach wisdom."

Rabbi Weinberg hasn't met all the idiotarians out there. Still, every little bit helps.

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