Faith
What Is Meant by the Saying That One May Not Have Mercy on Someone Without Understanding?
Question
I heard that "one who has no understanding may not be shown mercy."
But what is such a poor person supposed to do if the Creator of the world did not grant him understanding?!
Thank you very much!!!!
Answer
Greetings,
Indeed, our Sages said in Tractate Sanhedrin (92a) that a person without understanding may not be shown mercy, as it is said (Isaiah 27:11), "For it is a people of no understanding; therefore He that made them will not have compassion on them, and He that formed them will show them no favor." The Be'er Sheva explained there that this refers to one who does not wish to pay attention in order to contemplate and know. In this vein, the Pele Yoetz (entry: Da'at) wrote likewise, and certainly the severity and disgrace spoken of regarding one who has no understanding refer to someone who could have learned understanding, but because of his negligence, his arrogance, and his following after his inclination, did not learn understanding. It follows that with regard to a fool who is not at fault for not having understanding, one must certainly have compassion and mercy on him. See also Ben Yehoyada, Tractate Berachot (33a).
With blessings,
Hillel Meirs
