Day 46: מַּחְכִּים אֶת רַבּוֹ / Adding to one's teacher's wisdom
After affirming our intellectual independence and our obligations towards our students, we turn back today to our teachers. We introduced the special relationship between student and teacher towards the start of this project, and just a few days ago we framed adding to their teachings as a form of thoughtful innovation.
The Talmud shares, "A wise person is a student who makes their teacher wiser" (Chaggigah 14a). While we affirm the importance of innovation so that we can teach forward our insights, we must also remember to teach back that wisdom to our precious teachers themselves.
Just like a parent who cares for a child only to be cared for in turn in their old age, we offer wisdom right back to the source that first fed our thirst for knowledge. In doing so, we assert not only our commitment and affection for our teachers, but also the profound symbiosis that forms, whereby values, lessons, and wisdom passes between teacher and student for all time.
Reflection:
Is there a correct way to share wisdom with a teacher? What if they respond defensively or pompously?
Lived practice:
Reach out to a teacher or mentor and share with them a thought, insight, or project of yours that contains your own piece of wisdom.
