Rabbi Hanina ben Dosa on “knowledge”

growing up i thought that anything “jewish” was foolish and that “we” were much more sophisticated in our understanding of God, our world, how we should live, etc.

but the more that i read from the archives of Judaism, the more i am impressed by many many insightful lessons to be shared. learning a little more about hasidic jews from the book the Chosen, i have a much greater appreciation for hasidim. i just read a couple quotes from an early rabbi named Hanina ben Dosa who is thought to have been part of the hasidim. here they are:

“Whosoever’s fear of sin precedes his learning, his learning will endure; but where learning precedes fear of sin, learning will not endure”

“Where a man’s works are greater than his learning, his learning will stand; but where his learning is greater than his works, his learning will not stand”

i think these are wonderful thoughts. there is no question that we can strive for more and more head knowledge but because we do not fear the God of the universe, we fail to put the knowledge to use. and of course, without application, i dont think we can claim we have true knowledge.

i found these interesting and helpful. so i wanted to share them with my readers.