Expertise

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The Value of Expertise

TANAKH

A person who is highly skilled in their work will be recognized and serve before kings, rather than remain in obscurity. The book of Proverbs, part of the Hebrew Bible, offers wisdom and guidance on living a moral and righteous life, including the value of expertise and hard work.

See a man skilled at his work—
He shall attend upon kings;
He shall not attend upon obscure men.

Proverbs 22:29

The Unparalleled Wisdom of Solomon

SECOND TEMPLE

Solomon's wisdom was so extraordinary that it surpassed that of the ancients and Egyptians, encompassing natural sciences and even the ability to expel demons. Josephus, a first-century Jewish historian, provides a detailed account of Solomon's unparalleled wisdom and divine favor.

5. Now the sagacity and wisdom which God had bestowed on Solomon was so great, that he exceeded the ancients; insomuch that he was no way inferior to the Egyptians, who are said to have been beyond all men in understanding; nay, indeed, it is evident that their sagacity was very much inferior to that of the king's. He also excelled and distinguished himself in wisdom above those who were most eminent among the Hebrews at that time for shrewdness; those I mean were Ethan, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol…

The Antiquities of the Jews 8:2:5

The Depths of Rambam's Expertise

TANAKH

Rambam's integration of diverse fields of knowledge demonstrates that one can be deeply devoted to Jewish faith and law while also exploring profound spiritual and intellectual depths. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks, in his final compilation of essays, explores how Rambam's extensive knowledge across various disciplines contributed to his exceptional creativity and devotion.

Lehavdil, it was precisely Rambam’s breadth of knowledge of science, medicine, psychology, astronomy, philosophy, logic, and many other fields that allowed him to be so creative in everything he wrote, from his letters, to his Commentary to the Mishna, to the Mishneh Torah itself, structured differently from any other code of Jewish law, all the way to The Guide for the Perplexed. Rambam said things that many may have sensed before, but no one had expressed so cogently and powerfully…

I Believe; A Weekly Reading of the Jewish Bible, Noah; The Light in the Ark 21

Mastering Skills Through Insight

CHASIDUT

Rebbe Nachman of Breslov's tales illustrate how profound knowledge and philosophical insight can lead to rapid mastery of complex skills. In the allegorical stories of Rebbe Nachman, recorded by his disciple Nathan Sternhartz, deep spiritual and moral lessons are conveyed through the rapid acquisition of expertise.

Meanwhile, many years passed and he became even more knowledgeable on account of having been in many countries.; see Sefer Hamidot: Derekh (Travel) II #4: By traveling, a person becomes discerning (mevín). He decided, "Now, it's time to look at the ultimate purpose." He began to philosophize about what he should do. It seemed to him that he should learn goldsmithery, which is a major occupation, a nice craft, entailing great insight and very profitable. And since he was such a bar-havana and philosopher, he didn't need to study the trade many years…

Sippurei Maasiyot 9:9

The Divine Craftsman

COMMENTARY

Betzalel's exceptional skill and divine inspiration in constructing the Tabernacle were so profound that he could use the letters of the Holy Tongue, mirroring God's creation of the universe. Sforno, a 16th-century Italian rabbi, provides a unique perspective on the construction of the Tabernacle, emphasizing the meticulous adherence to divine instructions.

ויעשו כל חכם לב בעושי המלאכה, the most qualified among them built the Tabernacle (components) which involved weaving shapes of figures into the cloth so that they could be seen both on the outside and on the inside. (compare Yuma 72) These “curtains” were not thick as was the dividing curtain, פרכת. This portion repeats everything that has already been mentioned in connection with the instructions in Parshat Terumah. The reason why the Torah repeated all this is to inform us that when it came to the execution of the project they did everything so as to correspond to G’d’s will and to bring it…

Sforno on Exodus 36:8:1

Bezalel's Divine Wisdom

COMMENTARY

Bezalel had the unique ability to understand and execute divine instructions given to Moses, even those not explicitly communicated to him. Ramban, a 13th-century Spanish commentator, highlights Bezalel's exceptional wisdom and insight in his commentary on the construction of the Tabernacle.

AND BEZALEL THE SON OF URI, THE SON OF HUR, OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH, MADE ALL THAT THE ETERNAL COMMANDED MOSES. The meaning of this is that everything was done through his direction, for he acted as instructor to all the wise men, and they all did heir work in his presence and showed him all that they had done, just as it is said, And He hath put in his heart that he may teach. But all the wise-hearted men also did the work, as it is said, and every wise-hearted man among them that wrought the work made the Tabernacle…

Ramban on Exodus 38:22:1

The Multifaceted Expertise of the Sanhedrin

HALAKHAH

The Sanhedrin's members were required to have expertise not only in Torah but also in various other fields, ensuring comprehensive judgment. The Sefer HaChinukh, the 13th-century enumeration and explanation of each biblical commandment, outlines the intellectual and genealogical qualifications necessary for members of the Sanhedrin.

We only place (Sanhedrin 17a, and Mishneh Torah, The Sanhedrin and the Penalties within Their Jurisdiction 2:1-2) on the Sanhedrin — whether big or small — men that are wise and understanding about the wisdom of the Torah, and also know some of the other wisdoms, such as healing, mathematics, seasons, calculations, astronomy and the ways of the soothsayers, the clairvoyants and the sorcerers, so that they can judge the people in all of these ways if there is a need for it. And we only place on the Sanhedrin priests…

Sefer HaChinukh 491:4

The Mastery Required for Teaching Kabbalah

KABBALAH

A teacher of Kabbalah must have profound mastery of both exoteric texts and Kabbalah itself to prevent leading students into error and potential loss of faith. Moshe Cordovero, a 16th-century Kabbalist from Safed, emphasized the importance of proper guidance in Kabbalah to ensure accurate understanding and faith preservation.

So much for the student of Kabbalah; what must one expect of the teacher of this subject? Cordovero asserted that a student who truly desires to study Kabbalah should take as a teacher someone who has fulfilled the requisite standards for a Kabbalist. Thus, a teacher of Kabbalah must be a person with an adequate background in the exoteric texts, who has mastered Kabbalah for its own sake and not as one discipline among many. To study with a teacher who does not fulfill these conditions will lead the student to error and might eventually result in his losing his faith.

Ohr Ne'erav, Introduction 53

Expertise and Liability in Ritual Slaughter

TALMUD

The liability of a butcher for improperly slaughtering an animal depends on their expertise and whether they were paid. The Tosefta, an ancient collection of rabbinic laws and teachings from the land of Israel, explores this distinction in the context of ritual slaughter.

Rav Ḥama bar Gurya raised an objection to Shmuel from the Tosefta (10:10): With regard to one who gives an animal to a butcher, and the butcher killed it in a way that rendered it an animal carcass, if the butcher is an expert, then he is exempt from liability; if he is an ordinary person, without particular expertise in the act of ritual slaughter, he is liable. And if the owner of the animal paid the butcher, then regardless of whether he is an ordinary person or whether he is an expert…

Bava Kamma 99b:8

Divine Expertise for the Sanctuary

TANAKH

The expertise of Bezalel, Oholiab, and the skilled individuals was divinely endowed specifically for the construction and service of the sanctuary. The book of Exodus describes how God appointed Bezalel, Oholiab, and other skilled individuals to carry out the holy tasks of building the sanctuary.

Let, then, Bezalel and Oholiab and all the skilled persons whom יהוה has endowed with skill and ability to perform expertly all the tasks connected with the service of the sanctuary carry out all that יהוה has commanded.

Exodus 36:1

The Master Craftsman of the First Temple

COMMENTARY

Huram's diverse expertise in various materials and crafts made him uniquely qualified to oversee the construction of the First Temple. Rabbi Adin Steinsaltz’s modern translation and commentary on the Hebrew Bible provides a clear and engaging account of Huram’s role and skills.

This Huram is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan, and thus he is basically one of your own, and his father is a man of Tyre. He is one knowledgeable to work with the gold, with the silver, with the bronze, with the iron, with the stones, with the wood, with the purple wool, with the sky-blue wool, with fine linen, with crimson wool, to engrave all engravings, and to devise all designs; to prepare all types of craftsmanship that will be given him. He has the skills to oversee and work with your wise men, and with the wise men of my lord David your father…

Steinsaltz on II Chronicles 2:13

The Importance of Expertise in Judging Firstborn Blemishes

TALMUD

Only an expert can make a valid ruling on the blemishes of firstborn animals, ensuring the legitimacy of such judgments. The Talmudic tractate Bekhorot discusses the sacred status of firstborns and the necessity of recognized expertise for examining blemishes in firstborn animals.

MISHNA: In the case of an individual who takes payment to be one who examines firstborn animals to determine whether they are blemished, one may not slaughter the firstborn on the basis of his ruling, unless he was an expert

Bekhorot 28b:17

The Humility of True Wisdom

JEWISH THOUGHT

True wisdom is characterized by recognizing one's own ignorance and the willingness to learn from any source. Rabbi Isaac Arama’s 15th-century work, Akeidat Yitzchak, emphasizes the Jewish value of lifelong learning and humility in the pursuit of wisdom.

It is worthwhile to examine Ben Zoma's statement in detail, especially the scriptural proof he cites for each of his dictums. Concerning the attainment of wisdom, Ben Zoma quotes Psalms 119,99, "I have learned from all those who teach me." This sounds quite inappropriate. Surely, not everyone is qualified to teach merely because he wants to! Even if we understand the word melamdai in the sense of "who are more learned than I," the word used should have been melumdai. The truth of the matter is, however, that true wisdom is reserved for the Almighty by definition…

Akeidat Yitzchak 65:1:6

The Ethics of Expertise

COMMENTARY

Even experts should exercise humility and avoid imposing their opinions on others. Rambam’s commentary on Pirkei Avot, a work of ancient rabbinic ethics and wisdom from the land of Israel, provides ethical guidance for experts in their interactions with colleagues.

The Torah permitted an expert [known] to the public to judge by himself, as we explained in Sanhedrin. But this is the word of the Torah and here it warns him a little from the angle of ethics and not from the angle of prohibition. And he said [that] if your colleagues disagree with you in an opinion from the opinions, do not force them to accept your argument - as they know if they must accept it, and it is not your right to force them to accept your opinion.

Rambam on Pirkei Avot 4:8:1

The Call for a Master Craftsman

TANAKH

The need for a craftsman skilled in multiple materials and techniques highlights the importance of collaborative expertise in continuing the work initiated by King David. II Chronicles recounts the request for a skilled craftsman to assist with intricate work in various materials and colors, joining the existing craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem.

Now send me a craftsman to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue yarn, and who knows how to engrave, alongside the craftsmen I have here in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.

II Chronicles 2:6

A Model of Dedication and Leadership

REFERENCE

Rabban Jochanan ben Zakkai's unwavering dedication to Torah study and meticulous observance of religious practices serve as an inspiring model of commitment and leadership. Gershom Bader's biographical account provides a detailed look at Rabban Jochanan's life, highlighting his personal involvement in the education and guidance of his disciples and his consistent engagement in Torah-related activities.

With his great intelligence Rabban Jochanan grasped the whole Torah including all its interpretations, laws and legends; his every word was carefully weighed and he did not engage in idle conversation .(שיחת חולין) He never walked four ells without speaking of the Torah or without phylacteries. While on the street he had a friendly greeting for Jew and non-Jew alike. He was the first to come to the academy and the last to leave it, nor was he ever seen sitting idly or asleep, but he always was engaged in study…

The Jewish Spiritual Heroes, Volume I; The Creators of the Mishna, Rabban Jochanan ben Zakkai 24

The Role of Expertise in Divine Worship

COMMENTARY

Expertise in song and service to the Lord is not merely encouraged but deemed essential for divine worship. Rashi, the renowned medieval French rabbi, explains in his commentary on II Chronicles 30:22:1 how King Hezekiah inspired the Levites to enhance their singing with skill during Passover.

who were experts in the service of the Lord it is appropriate to use the term “expertise” (שֵׂכֶל) in regards to song, as it is written, (above I Chron. 26:14): “And the lot to the east fell to Shelemiah, and Zechariah, his son, a prudent counselor, etc.,” (יוֹעֵץבְּשֵׂכֶל). Hezekiah spoke to their hearts with consolations and pleasant words to encourage them and assist them, in order that they too strengthen the song with expertise for the Lord.

Rashi on II Chronicles 30:22:1

The Necessity of Torah Knowledge in Business

CHASIDUT

Anyone involved in business must be thoroughly knowledgeable in all aspects of Torah law related to business to ensure they conduct their affairs with faith and honesty. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov, in his collection of teachings, Likutei Etzot, emphasizes the importance of understanding Jewish business law (Halacha) to conduct business ethically and honestly.

The whole body of Torah law dealing with business affairs is relevant to practical business activity. Anyone who wishes to conduct his business with faith and honesty must be expert in all the laws of business in order not to slip up in any of them (Ibid.).

Likkutei Etzot, Money and Livelihood 20

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