Words to live by around here

אָמַר רַבִּי אִילְעָא מִשּׁוּם רַבִּי אֶלְעָזָר בְּרַבִּי שִׁמְעוֹן
כְּשֵׁם שֶׁמִּצְוָה עַל אָדָם לוֹמַר דָּבָר הַנִּשְׁמָע
כָּךְ מִצְוָה עַל אָדָם שֶׁלֹּא לוֹמַר דָּבָר שֶׁאֵינוֹ נִשְׁמָע
Said Rabbi Il'a in the name of Rabbi El'azar son of Rabbi Shim'on:
It is a mitzvah [commandment/good deed] to say something that will be listened to;
it is a mitzvah not to say something if it will not be listened to.

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Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

Um... how can it be a mitzvah to say something evil that's listened to?

ThePatientAnarchist · 61-69

@Thinkerbell I'm pretty sure that's not what they had in mind. More likely they were talking about good advice.

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@ThePatientAnarchist

Yes, but the omission of "good" seems pretty serious, unless something was lost in translation.

ThePatientAnarchist · 61-69

@Thinkerbell The Talmud is very very laconic. You always have to fill things in. This is a good example!

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@ThePatientAnarchist

"Said Rabbi Il'a in the name of Rabbi El'azar son of Rabbi Shim'on:"

But the introduction seems anything but laconic.
Couldn't they have added one more word to the saying itself...? 🤔

ThePatientAnarchist · 61-69

@Thinkerbell I never thought I would have the opportunity to discuss Talmud here on SW. This is delightful ☺
That's also Talmudic style. You try to be careful to give credit about where a saying comes from. Sometimes there are three or four links in a chain of transmission like that.

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@ThePatientAnarchist

But wait a minute... who was the father of Rabbi Shim'on?

Maybe you could start a Talmudic discussion forum here on SW. 😀

ThePatientAnarchist · 61-69

@Thinkerbell If you would join, I'll set it up :D

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@ThePatientAnarchist

Ok, I'd join, but I don't pretend to know anything about the Talmud.

ThePatientAnarchist · 61-69

@Thinkerbell You have the right kind of mind to enjoy it though! You are asking such Talmudic questions :)

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@ThePatientAnarchist

Maybe that's why it was written in laconic style.
To provide the opportunity for endless discussions, to pass the time before there was anything like the internet and SW. 🤭

ThePatientAnarchist · 61-69

@Thinkerbell

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@ThePatientAnarchist

"Links to infinity" indeed.

Too bad we are finite creatures. 🤭

ThePatientAnarchist · 61-69

@Thinkerbell I am so finite I have to go to sleep. 😴 See you in the yeshiva tomorrow? 🥸

Thinkerbell · 41-45, F

@ThePatientAnarchist

Ok.