W hy do we learn the value of silence “from the Sages” from whom we want to hear words of wisdom instead of from the senseless chattering of fools or the smooth double-talk of politicians whom we’d really prefer be quiet?
As we begin another cycle of our Shabbos afternoon reading of Maseches Avos our thoughts return once again to a mishnah in the first chapter. In a world whose leaders have nuclear weapons under their command and are threatening each other with attack we might well wish they would heed the wisdom of our Sages and learn the art of silence.
“Shimon [the son of Rabban Gamliel] says ‘All my life I was raised among the Sages and I have found nothing better for the body than silence.’ ”
Rabban Shimon’s dictum is surprising. He does not speak of a duty to cultivate silence or in praise of silence. Nor does he suffice with pointing out the fact that he believes it is worthwhile to learn to keep silent.
