5. You graciously bestow knowledge upon humans
and teach mortals understanding. Graciously
bestow upon us from Your wisdom,
understanding, and knowledge. Blessed are You,
G-d, who graciously bestows knowledge.
Amidah prayer, Sidur Tehilat Hashem
11. KING DAVID’S QUESTION
G-d, everything that You have
made in Your universe is
beautiful—and wisdom the most
beautiful of all—except for
madness.
What benefit can there be in a
person being mad?
A mad person walks in the
marketplace and tears his clothes
while children mock him and
chase him and people jeer at him;
is this beautiful before You?
Midrash, Yalkut Shimoni,
I Samuel 21, 131
12. YOU SHALL FEAR YOUR GOD
“You shall not curse a
deaf person.
You shall not place a
stumbling block before
a blind person, and you
shall fear your G-d.
I am the Lord.”
Leviticus 19:14
13. OPPRESSING THE VULNERABLE
The verse tells us that the hearing
person should not curse the deaf
person, and the seeing person should
not cause the blind person to trip on
his path.
This is a metaphor instructing any
powerful person not to oppress those
who are weaker, for this is an
indication of poor character.
Rabbi Isaac ben Yehudah Abarbanel
(1437-1508), ibid.
14. COURT-APPOINTED GUARDIAN
“The Jewish courts should appoint a
guardian for the mentally ill just as they
do for [orphaned] minors, so that others
do not loot their belongings. “
Rabbi Mordechai Jaffe (1530-1612), Levush,
Choshen Mishpat 235:20
15. COMPETENCE & JUDGMENTS
“One who wounds another person is obligated [to pay monetary
compensation] on five counts: damage, pain, medical expenses, loss
of income (due to being unable to work), and embarrassment. . . .
[Regarding people suffering from insanity:] One who harms them
is obligated to pay compensation, whereas they are exempt for the
damage they cause to others.”
Mishanh, Bava Kama 8:1–4
16. COMPETENCE & JUDGMENTS
1. Damage
2. Pain
3. Medical Expenses
4. Loss of Income
5. Embarrassment
18. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES
OF STEWARDSHIP
Pros Cons
Helps avoid bad Loss of Freedom and
decisions independent choice
Prevents exploitation Limit interaction with
others
Absolves them of Emotional and social
responsibility repercussions
