Ki Tavo 2021
Isaac’s Parsha Corner · 2021
Knowledge versus Wisdom
There is an ancient Chinese proverb describing three ways to obtain knowledge. Knowledge may be obtained through education, through contemplation, or through life experience. The proverb describes contemplation as the noblest way to obtain enlightenment. The easiest path for knowledge is through education. Life experience is the most painful way to gain knowledge.
“And G-d has not given you a heart to know and eyes to see and ears to hear until this day.” (Deut 29:3)
The Malbim in our Parsha follows a similar line of thinking explaining the above verse. The Malbim describes three ways to obtain wisdom; Awakening the heart to obtain wisdom. Observing events and finding a deeper meaning in these moments. Hearing and listening to the wise and gaining their wisdom.
The noteworthy difference between Malbim and the Chinese is the addition of G-d into the equation. According to the Malbim’s read of the pasuk G-d bestows upon man the ability to obtain wisdom. “And G-d has given you a heart etc.” In the Chinese proverb G-d is absent.
One wonders what does the Pasuk mean when saying “until this day”? What happened on that day to open our hearts eyes and ears? Rashi quotes a Yalkut saying that on that very day the Torah was concluded and handed to the people. It was a sort of second receiving of the Torah without Mt Sinai. According to this Midrash only through Torah is mankind able to obtain true wisdom.
Malbim explains that the suffering in Egypt and the forty years of wandering the desert concluded on that day. The result of all that suffering was a nation capable of wisdom. It is through the suffering and subsequent redemption that the people gained their special status.
In support of the Malbim’s approach I would suggest that the inclusion of this Pasuk immediately following the “Tochacho” argues that it will be through the suffering we will become wise. However, as Rashi pointed out, without the inclusion of Torah we will remain unwise. We might be smart but being smart isn’t being wise. Let us include the wisdom of the Torah in our lives so that all the suffering contemplated and predicted in this weeks Parsha not be in vain.
Dedicated to the memory of Joel Shulman A’H