Joodse traditie als permanent leren

186.

wood kindles a large log, so a pupil of small attainments sharpens the mind of his teacher, so that by his questions, he elicits glorious wisdom. ((5. 12-13))

((Reve rence Due to All Men of Learning)) It is a duty to honour every scholar, even if he is not one's teacher, as it is said, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man" (Lev. 19 32). The word "Zaken" (rendered "old man") refers to one who has acquired wisdom. When ought people to rise up before him? At the moment that he has approached within four cubits (and they should keep standing), till he has passed out of sight.

This courtesy is not to be observed in a bath-house nor in a latrine, for it is said, "Thou shalt rise up and honour" (Lev. 19:32); the courtesy of rising must be such as to express honour. Labourers, at the time when they are working, need not rise up before scholars, as it is said, "Thou shâlt rise up and honour"; even as the "honouring" enjoined does not involve a monetary loss, so the courtesy of rising before the scholar is only required when it does not involve a monetary loss. And whence do we know that one should not shut one's eyes when a scholar passes, so as not to see him and thus evade the obligation of standing up before him? It is inferred from the text, "And thou shalt fear thy God" (Lev. 19:32); wherever the fulfillment of a duty is left to the conscience, the exhortation is added, "Thou shalt fear thy God".

It is improper for a sage to put the people to inconvenience by deliberately passing before them, so that they should have to stand up before him. He should use a short route and endeavour to avoid notice so that they should not be troubled to stand up. The sages were wont to use circuitous and exterior paths, where they were not likely to meet those who might recognize them, so as not to trouble them. The same rule applies to riding as to walking. As it is a duty to rise up before the sage when he walks, so this courtesy should be shown when he rides by.

Where three are walking on a road, the teacher should be in the middle, the senior (of his disciples) at his right, the junior on his left.

On seeing a Chacham (a sage or religious authority), one does not