Thursday, June 24th, 2021

Speechless

Michael Knowles, a political pundit with a show for The Daily Wire, just released a book entitled "Speechless: Controlling Words, Controlling Minds". I pre-ordered a signed copy. I have an interest in the manipulation of language for propagandistic purposes, and Knowles is a keen observer of this phenomenon. I am looking forward to reading it, but it got me thinking about speaking in Judaism.

Ethics of the Fathers

We are recently told frequently of the value of having a conversation.

Google "have a conversation" Ngram

Judaism has a different perspective.

Avot 1:17

> one who speaks excessively brings on sin

Avot 3:13

> a safety fence for wisdom is silence

Avot 5:7

> A wise man does not speak before one who is greater than him in wisdom or age. He does not interrupt his fellow's words. He does not hasten to answer. His questions are on the subject and his answers to the point. He responds to first things first and to latter things later. Concerning what he did not hear, he says "I did not hear." He concedes to the truth.

Next, on WFH and Meetings