ואמר רבי אילעא משום ר' אלעזר בר' שמעון כשם שמצוה על אדם לומר דבר הנשמע כך מצוה על אדם שלא לומר דבר שאינו נשמע
R. Ile'a further stated in the name of R. Eleazar son of R. Simeon: As one is commanded to say that which will be heard, so is one commanded not to say that which will not be heard.
Suggested Discussion Questions:
This ruling is offered in the context of how to give appropriate rebuke.
1. What do you think R. Eleazar means by 'that which will be heard,' or 'not heard?'
2. Do you agree that you should only offer rebuke 'that will be heard?'
3. How can you ever really know if a person will be able to receive your rebuke?
4. Can you think of a time when you feel like you gave a rebuke in a way that it made a difference?
Time Period: Rabbinic (Maccabees through the Talmud)