Monday, April 12, 2010

Ignorance is Bliss

The length of the Second Temple is known securely to us from the Sages... and it is incumbent on one to remove from himself any doubting thoughts on this matter. Happy is he who has not read the outside books...

- Chazon Ish, Kovetz Iggerot v. 1 #206, as quoted in Jewish History in Conflict.

Better a cruel truth than a comfortable delusion.

5 comments:

Baal Habos said...

I'm with the Chazon Ish on this one.

Frum Heretic said...

So you prefer the blue pill?

Joshua said...

Baal Habos, he might be right about happiness levels, but that's a distinct claim in that the Chazon Ish seems to be arguing here that people should try to brainwash themselves.

Shilton HaSechel said...

I wonder if the chazon ish read the outside books....

Baal Habos said...

Frum Heretic. Yes, Blue for Me -http://baalhabos.blogspot.com/2007/03/ignorance-is-bliss.html