On Virtue: Selections from the Midrash Tanhuma, Part 1 of 2

Today, it is an honor to share selections from the “Midrash Tanhuma” in “The Sacred Books and Early Literature of the East, Volume 4: Medieval Hebrew.” The text emphasizes that preachers should be virtuous and humble, and that through repentance and asking for GOD’s forgiveness, we can change our path.

THE MIDRASH

“Poor ignorant man, you want to find out GOD’s ways; explain first the phenomenon of your own eye; it consists of white and black, and according to all reason, the white should supply light, but in reality, the little spot in the center of your eye is the lens to give you sight.

A man, however, so learned should not preach if his preaching is not agreeable to his audience.

A public teacher (preacher) must not only be thoroughly conversant with the twenty-four books of the Bible, but must be known to his flock as modest and distinguished for his virtues. […]

It is but right and proper that one should be right in the sight of GOD, but it is also desirable so to act as to be just and right in the eyes of man.

Slander no one, whether thy brother or not thy brother, whether a Jew or not a Jew.

In connection with the poor man’s sacrifice, that of a handful of flour, and not in connection with the rich man’s sacrifices […] do we find the expression ‘and if any soul.’ GOD looked upon the poor man’s offering of a handful of flour as though he had offered his life.

The righteous stand on a higher level than angels.

Those who aim at greatness do not always get it. Moses fled from it, but it was forced upon Him.

GOD consulted the Torah when about to create man, but the Torah was dubious about calling man into existence, for since his days would be so short and his ways so perverted, he would require much forbearance. GOD’s reply was, ‘By thee (Torah) I declare myself as a GOD merciful, long-suffering, and abundant in goodness and in truth.’

‘Swear not at all, not even to the truth.’

Future bliss can neither be imagined, explained, nor described. We know nothing of its nature, form, greatness, or beauty, its quantity or quality. This much one should know, the phrase, ‘the world to come,’ does not imply that it is a world yet to be called into existence; it exists already, but the phrase is employed to describe the life into which those who are in the present stage of existence will be transposed when they throw off this mortal coil.”