by Rabbi Shlomo Segal
Disclaimer: The opinions expressed here are that of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of the Union for Traditional Judaism, unless otherwise indicated.
This d’var Torah is part of Rabbi Segal’s podcast series. To listen to this podcasts find it in the Segal’s Sentiments archive here.
This week’s Torah portion is called Vayakhel. We read about the Jewish people collectively taking part in building the Tabernacle. In referring to the talents of each individual the Torah uses the term “Chacham Lev”, “wise-hearted.” (Exodus 36:2) The commentator Ibn Ezra points out that they performed this task “even though they have not learned that wisdom themselves” (Exodus 31:6) The Jewish people never underwent any formal training in how to build the sanctuary.
The people of Israel during this period of time did not have strong backgrounds. In-fact they had come out of slavery. They were not well educated professionals. In-fact they were hard working laborers. (Exodus 1:14) Their talents were unique however because of the devotion and good will they brought from their hearts with the help of God.
A very important lesson emerges from this verse. There is a significant difference between Knowledge and wisdom. Knowledge is the accumulation of data, facts, and information. Wisdom, on the other hand, is the intuitive ability to make moral distinctions of what is right and wrong, good and evil, and what is just and unjust.
In American society we glorify the highest academic degrees from the most prestigious universities. These degrees presumably require a great deal of knowledge. Knowledge is useless however if it is not put to beneficial use. I am sure we have all come in contact with people who possess lots of knowledge but lack wisdom. I once met a prominent pulmonologist who smoked at least three packs of cigarettes a day. I have met a very well-respected parenting expert who herself is estranged from her own children.
Judaism requires us to study a great deal. But to be a good Jew our learning must manifest itself in our day to day activities. Horace once said “wisdom is not wisdom when it is derived from books alone.” Wisdom has to be internalized. This requires keen insight on our part and common sense, “sechel” (as they say in my native tongue.) The book of proverbs teaches us “wisdom shall enter into your heart, and knowledge shall be pleasant unto your soul.” (Proverbs 2:10)
So whenever we engage in an endeavor let us not say “I am an expert, I’ll do it the way I was taught” but rather let us bring all of the resources from our hearts to the task at hand and in this way we will acquire true wisdom.
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Rabbi Shlomo Segal is a member of the UTJ’s Panel of Halakhic Inquiry, which issues religious responses on behalf of the organization on contemporary issues, and vice president of Morashah, the rabbinic arm of UTJ.
Rabbi Segal is also a member of the International Rabbinic Fellowship (IRF) and the New York Board of Rabbis.
In fall 2013, after a decade of pulpit experience, Rabbi Segal founded Kehilat Moshe, a liberal Orthodox congregation in the Sheepshead Bay area of Brooklyn, NY. While still a new congregation, Kehilat Moshe has emerged as a diverse, multi-generational caring and intellectually stimulating community rooted in both pluralism and halakhah.
Rabbi Segal delivers a weekly commentary which you can find at kehilatmoshe.org and on YouTube. He was also interviewed on National Public Radio on the subject of “Swinging Chicken Ritual Divides Orthodox Jews”.