Ignorance Is Not Bliss

Torah Reading: Be'halot'cha

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Published: August 18, 2007

Visitor Comments: 13

(13) Sharon, November 12, 2007 10:13 PM

thanks for clearing that up

I'm always a little nervous to learn about things I don't think I'm ready to accept, but I appreciate your encouragement and acknowledgement that some things may be put on the "back burner" as you mentioned. Nice video. Thanks.

(12) augy, August 24, 2007 12:55 AM

4000000000000 percent agree

even we try died happy or died misarable like be

(11) Brenda Cohen, August 22, 2007 8:21 AM

I look so forward to hearing Lori Palatnik speak - who way of putting things, is so simple and yet so meaningful. Thank you Lori - I work all day so when I log on to my web site, I know that each day I will be able to "attend" classes which I would not under normal circumstances be able to listen so. I love listening to her inspirational classes.

(10) Yisroel Pollack, August 22, 2007 7:11 AM

Knowledge and More

Mrs. Palatnik,
Try as I may, I can find neither anything to add to nor anything to detract from the splendid, insightful message you have just conveyed (not to mention the way in which you have conveyed it). But because I am one for whom total reticence does not come easy, let me venture the following remark. The little anecdote you related shows that there is a difference between knowing 'about' Shabbos and knowing what Shabbos really means. The latter involves commitment. And even an accomplished rabbi who, hopefully, has learned quite a lot about Shabbos is still in danger of missing the mark if he wavers in his continual renewal of the Shabbos message in its full depth and breadth. There's more to proper practice than knowledge alone. May the A-lmighty help us to reach its heights. (PS: I admire the way you formally closed your recitation.)

Kal tuv,

YP

(9) Jack Bonawitz, August 21, 2007 10:08 PM

Thomas Gray's actual quote

Actually, what the eighteenth-century English poet Thomas Gray said was, "Where ignorance is bliss, / 'Tis folly to be wise." What he meant was this: in SOME cases, knowing too much won't make us happy. The song "We Have No Secrets" by Carly Simon is an excellent example of this. Gray never meant to suggest that the stupidest people are the happiest people.

(8) Anonymous, August 21, 2007 9:53 PM

worth listening to

Thank you Lori, that was worth listening to and very encouraging!

(7) Anonymous, August 21, 2007 8:48 PM

Thanks

Thank you for the lesson

(6) Meichey, August 21, 2007 3:48 PM

Comment

Im glad to see a torah website with women teaching. And Lori is awesome!
M

(5) Chris Borszcz, August 21, 2007 12:24 PM

Thanks!

Lori, I just wanted to say thank you for your wisdom and everyday tips on living. I am not a practicing Jew, I am a Christian who loves the Jewish people and their Torah. May the Lord Bless you as you continue to serve Him with your knowledge.

(4) Edgardo, August 21, 2007 11:55 AM

Loved this message. The first time I heard the frase "ignorance is bliss" with an example was in the Matrix movie. Many know that legally, one can break the law and still be accountable even though one may not know of it. Ignorance is bliss for those fearing the pain that knowing may bring. But the pain of knowing is like the kisses of the one who loves you as it is written in Mishlei. The reading and study of the Tanak not only has brought me knowledge of history or the relation of G-d with the ones He has chosen to, but it has brought me emotional and spiritual pain when I see what goes on in life. Still, kwnoledge of Hashem brought me shalom.

(3) Irwin Dunietz, August 21, 2007 11:49 AM

What about different severities of a sin?

I understand that a sinful act could be performed in 3 different ways--unintentionally (chait), intentially (avohn), and spitefully (pesha)--and the severity is influenced by which way it was performed. (See, e.g., the essay "Sin Is Not What It Seems" that Aish makes available.) If true, a case can be made that not knowing what is disallowed and doing it is better than knowing what is disallowed, but still doing it. It is hoped that learning an activity is disallowed would lead to refraining from it, but if that is not the immediate reaction, at least for a time your behavior has degenerated. Doesn't it follow that if you are not sure whether what you are doing is permissible, but you have no intention of giving up doing it regardless, you are better off not asking?

(2) Rosen, August 19, 2007 11:54 PM

the mind's evolution

The mind evolves as long as one is willing to learn. Therefore, the more knowledge we have on Judaism and Torah, the less likely we are to assimilate.

(1) Catherine Manna, August 19, 2007 3:43 PM

God shines on you! Thank you!

Excellent fantanstic, just great!
I agree. Baby steps, knowledge, free will, and choices, so much to learn about God, patients in the process! and understanding Gods infinite wisdom found in the TOrah and the tanak! My wish is for everybody to know the truth about God so that everyone can make a disicion which side of the fence they want to be on. And im on your side, Gods side, even if i dont understand everything i need to understand i know that God is patient with me. Like you said eventually it will kick in...Your absolutly wright in your teachings, if this is performing a mitzvot, what you are saying and teaching,then i think that God shines on you! and you make my heart very happy to hear these words so true. thank you Lori alomst live!!!

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About the Author

Mrs. Lori Palatnik

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Lori Palatnik is a writer and Jewish educator who has appeared on television and radio, and is the author of "Friday Night and Beyond: The Shabbat Experience Step-By-Step," "Remember My Soul - What to do in Memory of a Loved One," and co-author of "Gossip: 10 Pathways to Eliminate It From Your Life and Transform Your Soul." She is a much sought-after international speaker, having lectured in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, U.K., Central America, South America, South Africa and Israel, including featured talks at Yale, Brown and Penn. She lives in the Washington D.C. area, with her husband, Rabbi Yaakov Palatnik. Lori is the Founder of The Jewish Women's Renaissance Project, an international initiative that brings over 1,000 women to Israel each year from ten different countries on highly subsidized programs to inspire them with the beauty and wisdom of their heritage. She is the busy mother of five children, ages 24 to 14; and her son, Zev, just finished serving as a sharpshooter in the IDF. Her weekly video blog, "Lori Almost Live" is a popular feature on aish.com, viewed by over 50,000 people each month.

Follow Lori on Twitter, @LoriAlmostLive

May 24, 2013 / 15 Sivan 5773

Ignorance Is Not Bliss

Never be afraid to learn.

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