There Are Four Types Among Those Who Sit Before The Sages. [They Are Likened To] A Sponge, A Funnel, A Strainer, And A Sieve: A Sponge, Which Absorbs Everything; A Funnel, Which Takes In From One End And Spills Out From The Other; A Strainer, Which Allows The Wine To Flow Out And Retains The Dregs; And A Sieve, Which Allows The Flour To Pass Through And Retains The Fine Flour.

There Are Four Types Among Those Who Sit Before The Sages

The previous mishnah mentions "those who attend the House of Study," i.e., students who are at the early stages of learning. By mentioning "those who sit before the Sages," our mishnah is referring to more developed students - those who have already grasped the fundamentals and desire more intensive scholarship. Such individuals must appreciate that in addition to their own study, they must begin communicating the wisdom they grasp to others. This is the focus of the present mishnah and its analysis of the four types of students.

A Sponge Which Absorbs

It's natural that when a person hears an interesting concept, he will desire to share it with others. There are times, however, e.g., in the study of mystical matters, when our Sages warn against passing on concepts indiscriminately.[55] Similarly, there are occasions[56] when they have said: "This is the halachah, but it should not be taught publicly." In such instances, a person must struggle against his natural tendency and, like a sponge, retain the knowledge within himself.

A Funnel, Which Takes In From One End And Spills Out From The Other

Such a teacher shares everything with others, without considering himself at all. On the contrary, he dedicates himself to the welfare of his colleagues, granting them all the wisdom he possesses.

A Strainer, Which Allows The Wine To Flow Out And Retains The Dregs

Every concept possesses certain dimensions whose positive nature are readily obvious. Like wine, they have a pleasant flavor which can be easily appreciated. And there are other, secondary, dimensions which are like dregs, the usefulness of which cannot be grasped straightaway.

At times, a teacher must allow the "wine" to flow out and retain the "dregs," presenting his students with those ideas which they can readily appreciate.

A Sieve, Which Allows The Flour To Pass Through And Retains The Fine Flour

Although fine flour is more refined than ordinary flour, it is not suited for as many tasks. Similarly, when it comes to communicating refined ideas, since they may not be comprehended by the listeners, there are times when one should release only the "flour" - the general outline - and retain the "fine flour" - the deeper comprehension of the matter. Otherwise, one's students may become confused.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, 5743)

Alternatively, this mishnah can be taken as advice to a teacher with regard to developing his students' potentials. At times - particularly at the beginning of a course of study - a student may be like a sponge which absorbs everything. The teacher must be aware of his student's inability to discriminate.

In other situations - particularly when a student is tired - he becomes like a funnel, which takes in from one end and spills out from the other. When this happens, a teacher should realize that it is more valuable to cease his instruction temporarily.

As a student grows more accomplished, he develops the ability to make distinctions. Nevertheless, it is quite possible that he will grasp only the more concrete dimensions of the subject matter, without attempting to appreciate the more abstract elements - like a strainer, which allows the wine to flow out and retains the dregs. In such an instance, a teacher must train his student until he is like a sieve, which allows the flour to pass through and retains the fine flour.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Behar-Bechukosai, 5731)

   

Notes:

55. (Back to text) See Chagigah 11a.

56. (Back to text) E.g., Shabbos 12b.