Wednesday 2 February 2011

Mai Taama Mai Taama

Why does the G'mara bother giving Mai taama's? Read on

We were discussing the Hot Debate about the Brain Death Controversy. A Friend of mine "Rob" examined one position and said AHA - This is it! Another Friend Don challenged Rob for prematurely making up his mind...

Don: have you looked at the other side?

Rob: No this is enough for me to know!

Don: What about Avot 1:1 Havvu Mattunim Badin?

Rob: I'm not a Dayyan!

Don: Even citizen juries are cautioned not to decide after listening to just the first side!

Rob: I'm not sitting on a jury!

Don: I recently was studying a debate in P'sachim between" R Y'hudah amar Rav" and R Nachman. Why does the g'mara bother to say mai taama to BOTH sheetot? Why didn't the Talmud just pick ONE side and expound on that and simply ignore the other position entirely?

Rob. I dunno? Mai taama does the G'mara bother to say Mai Taama on BOTH positions?

Don: Isn't it to teach you to examine BOTH sides before deciding?

Indeed. Don's case seems compelling. Slow down before diving in to take one side, especially if you choose that side passionately.

Be Passionate about Being Fair-minded!

Shalom
RRW

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