Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer, a fascinating text compiling midrashic stories and interpretations, dives right into this idea. It opens with a powerful verse from Psalms: "How great are Thy works, O Lord!" (Ps. 92:5). Imagine Adam, the very first human, standing in awe of creation. He looks around, completely floored by the sheer magnitude and intricacy of it all. He starts praising God, overwhelmed by the divine artistry.
But then comes the kicker: "Thy thoughts are very deep" (Ps. 92:5). The text emphasizes this depth, comparing it to the "great deep exceedingly (deep)." It’s not just that God's creations are amazing, but that the ideas behind them are unfathomable. There's a level of understanding that's simply beyond our grasp...at least, without some serious effort.
And that's where we come in.
The text continues by saying, "A brutish man knoweth not" (Ps. 92:6). Now, "brutish" here doesn't mean rude or ill-mannered. It means lacking in knowledge, specifically knowledge of Torah. Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer is making a profound statement about the importance of learning. It’s not enough to just exist in this incredible world. We have a responsibility to try and understand it, to delve into the wisdom of our tradition.
So, what should we do about those who are "brutish?" The text is clear: "Every man of Israel who is brutish (in knowledge) and has not learnt understanding, let the wise men of Israel teach him the ways of the Torah." It's a call to action! It’s a reminder that we are all responsible for each other's spiritual growth. The wise among us have a duty to share their knowledge and guide those who are seeking understanding. As it says, "Consider, ye brutish among the people" (Ps. 94:8). In other words, pay attention! There's so much to learn.
But here's where it gets really interesting. What about the really smart people, the geniuses, who aren't Jewish? Pirkei DeRabbi Eliezer has something to say about that too. "But a man who is an expert among the nations of the world is still foolish. Why? For he knoweth not the words of the Torah, as it is said, 'Neither doth a fool understand this' (Ps. 92:6)."
Ouch.
Strong words, right? It's not saying that non-Jews are inherently unintelligent, not at all! The point is that even the most brilliant mind, without the wisdom of Torah, is missing a crucial piece of the puzzle. They may excel in science, or art, or philosophy, but they lack the spiritual depth and understanding that comes from engaging with our sacred texts.
Think about it this way: imagine someone who’s a master carpenter. They can build anything, but they don't understand the principles of physics that make their creations possible. They're skilled, but they're missing a deeper level of understanding.
So, what’s the takeaway from all this? It's not about being the smartest person in the room. It's about striving for understanding, about engaging with the wisdom of our tradition, and about sharing that wisdom with others. It’s about recognizing that the world is full of wonders, and that we have a responsibility to explore and appreciate them, armed with the insights of Torah. Maybe, just maybe, we can get closer to understanding those "very deep" thoughts of the Divine.