Intricacies of Job, Iyov II

Rabbi Eisemann

What is unquestioning integrity?

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Tam v'yashar, Rashi writes for tam, perfect in his actions.

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R' Eisemann: "We believe this to imply a life lived in congruence with the ideals and principles which guide it. There are no aberratations, everyithing contributes to a totally integrated person."

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MH: Can you imagine?

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There are other connotations of tam, Genesis 25:27 Jacob is described as a tam. In this situation, tam implies a simplicity of sorts, a naivete. It is a person that speaks from the heart with no guile or alternative motivation. This person has a very difficult time lying, which when you study Jacob and get to know him you understand the situation of the blessing and the lamb's wool.

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The Gra, the Vilna Gaon to Proverbs 2:7 discusses tam and Yashar. He states that the Torah is offering advice to the tam and the yashar.

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Rabbi Eisemann: The yashar is a man whose intellect directs his steps and human qualities into the straight and virtuous paths laid down by God.

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MH: So what's the difference, really? The yashar depends greatly on the precepts of the Torah to keep him from slipping into worldly processes. The Tam doesn't deviate right or left. His path is simplistic, so to speak (although definitely not easy, it is not the "easy path.") So, his path depends on the same precepts of Torah.

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What's the difference then between a tam and a yashar?

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The yashar depends on his intellect, while the tam follows the Torah he has learned. Please don't quote me, this is my own take. The tam does everything from a base of true faith.

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Rabbi Eisemann: "He needs no advice since his understanding is not the determining factor. "

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MH: He doesn't have to prepare himself against battles in his mind.

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Rabbi Eisemann: "He may well stumble and thus he needs a shield to protect him from faltering."