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What makes a successful NFL draft pick? Aside from physical tests at the spring combine which measure speed (40-yard dash time), agility (a drill involving three cones), strength (bench press repetitions) and explosiveness (vertical jump), NFL players are supposed to possess certain traits of intelligence and personality. These have been measured historically by a test – used in a number of fields, by the way – called the Wonderlic. It doesn’t only measure intelligence, but smart people often do well on it. One of the highest scorers in NFL history is quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick, a Harvard graduate who has enjoyed a fine career spanning fifteen seasons.
Now, what makes a good Talmudic sage? Is there any way to recognize certain personality traits that might portend greatness in the academy, above and beyond raw intelligence? In fact, a “young scholar” (Aramaic, tzurba m’rabanan) needed to possess more than intellectual curiosity. Commenting on the verse in this week’s portion, Eikev, which states, “You shall consign the images of their gods to the fire” (Deuteronomy 7:25), the Talmudic tractate Ta’anit observes that a future rabbi should have a fiery personality, or at least one forged like iron in a fire:
- Raba said again: "A young scholar is like a seed lying under a hard clod which, when it has once sprouted, grows fat." Raba also said: "If a young scholar gets angry, it is the [zeal for the] Torah that excites him, for it is said, (Jer. 23: 29) “Is not thus my word like the fire says the L-rd?" Rav Ashi said: "A scholar who is not as firm as iron cannot be considered a scholar; for the end of that passage reads: And like a hammer that shatters the rock.
- …"Even so," remarked Ravina, "a man should train himself to speak calmly without anger, as it is said, (Ecclesiastes 15:10) “And remove anger from your heart."
Let’s see if we can expand upon this a bit. In one’s younger years, a scholar needs to have “fire in the belly”, that is, a desire to excel and to “compete” with other scholars in the academy. Think of it like top students at, say, Newman or Ben Franklin vying for coveted class rank, which in turn leads to admission to an elite university. The Talmudic sages were, in a very real sense, the “Ivy League” students of their day.
But with the passage of time, one is expected to mellow. Hence Ravina, a fifth century sage, indicates that it’s crucial to remember that “fire” and “passion” can quickly turn into anger.
The most successful sages, of course, were those who maintained the passion of youth but tempered it with the wisdom and reserve of middle age.
- Rabbi Scott Hoffman
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