Message and Messenger
Why is it so important for us to know who the messenger is?
Why do we immediately discount the message if we dislike or disagree with the messenger?
Perhaps the message still has validity.
--
A person must give care attention to every thought, word, and event that comes his way every day, because G-d placed Himself within them, as it were, sending each person different messages, appropriate to the time and place.
(Reb Noson of Breslov)
3 Comments:
From Rambam's Introduction to Sh'mone Perkim
It’s important to know, though, that I didn’t originate the ideas expressed or the explanations offered either here in these chapters or in my commentary. I collected them from the words of our sages in Midrashim, the Talmud, and in their other works, as well as from the words of earlier and later philosophers, and many others. After all, we’re to accept truth from whoever utters it.
Once in a while, though, I might quote verbatim from a well-known work. But there’s nothing wrong with that, since I wouldn’t be taking credit for what someone already said, and because I’m hereby divulging what I’ll be doing.
I also won’t bother saying, “So and so said that”, because that would be unnecessarily wordy. And it might make a reader who doesn’t accept him think that what he said is harmful or of bad intent. So I decided to leave out the author’s name, for all I ever wanted to do was help the reader and explain what’s hidden away in this Tractate.
A most excellent way to view life. Of course the possibilites are endless when one starts thinking this way, but somehow it's still fruitful. It also makes one slow down and think before reacting to ask why God chose a particular messenger AND the message being delivered. Good one.
Mikol Melamdi Hiskalti--I learn from everyone. Yes, everyone, even Achair (who completely rejected everything true for a period of time) was the teacher of a great talmid chacham (Torah Giant). Because you can learn from everyone, even if you don't agree with all the rest of their ideas.
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