Advice From The Older Generation

The Chazon Ish describes two types of thinkers. One he describes as a more impulsive and superficial thinker. He does not think things through and give careful analysis.

The other is the one who uses his intellect and looks at things in a deeper way. He diligently seeks truth. In Hebrew, the first type is referred to as דמיון, and the second as שכל.

Specifically, the Chazon Ish was addressing a very relevant issue that is very applicable to today. He was explaining why the present generation believes that they are superior to earlier generations in their thinking and perspective.
They superficially base their theory on the remarkable inventions and technological advancements of our times. In the time of the Chazon Ish, it was the telephone, telegraph, and radio. He also mentioned the train, plane, and the ability to kill masses of people with bombs. (He died in 1953.) These were great advancements then, just as the internet and high tech is today.

The mistake people make is that they associate wisdom with inventions. And if we go back to Talmudic times, when there weren’t such inventions, it must be that they were also primitive in their thinking and views.

This is simply not true as it is possible that our ancient scholars chose not to dwell on inventing things. Perhaps they felt that delving deeply into their souls, with a sincere desire to connect with Hashem, was more important than any other endeavor.

The period of the Tannaim and Amoraim that began in the second Temple period until around 500 C.E., had unparalleled scholarship and greatness. We are taught that we cannot begin to fathom their level of sanctity and we cannot question their decisions.

Isn’t it foolish to negate their teachings solely because they were not as technologically advanced as today’s generation?

Our intellect dictates that we do need to learn from them and on a moral and ethical level, today’s generation is far inferior to previous generation. This might also explain why the younger generation does not seek the wisdom of the older generation. How could the “old guys” who are technologically challenged, have anything that they could gain from their knowledge? If people would stop being impulsive and superficial thinkers, they would wake up to a different reality.