2022/5782

Great Lay Leaders

Rav Yosef Dov Soloveitchik observes that the Gemara does not only tell stories of great rabbis but also of great laypeople. The story of Abba Umna, Dr. Abba, is a stellar example of Chazal celebrating a great lay Jew. Ta’anit 21b-22a presents his story as follows:

The Gemara teaches us that Abba Umna was visited by Hashem everyday, unlike Abaye who was only visited on Erev Shabbos & Rava who was only visited Erev Yom Kippur. The Gemara asks why Abba Umna was treated so well. It then explains that Abba Umna was a doctor who separated male and female patients, used a cup to draw a female’s blood without looking at her skin, had a spot on the side of his house to anonymously pay, and would give Talmidei Chachamim money to rejuvenate after their procedures.

One day, Abaye sends two of his students to test Abba Umna. The students went to Abba Umna, who naturally gave them food and beds. In the morning, the students stole the beds and brought them to the market for sale. When Abba Umna saw them in the market, they asked how much they were worth and Abba replied with a price and said “that’s how much I paid for them,” implying that he knew they were from him. The Talmidim asked Abba Umna what he thought they were doing, and he responded that he assumed they were getting money for Pidyon Shvuyim, and once he thought that he had donated them to charity in his mind.

A Greater Level than Abaye and Rava

The shocking lesson that emerges is that Abba Umna is not only as great as Rabbis but even greater than the legendary Abaye and Rava. Abba Umna receives a daily “call-in” from Hashem, unlike Abaye who receives a call only Erev Shabbat and Rava who receives it only Erev Yom Kippur.

The frequency of the Bat Kols are interestingly similar to phone check-ins nowadays. One will check-in daily with a spouse, weekly with an adult child, and once a year before Yom Kippur with not such close friends. The closer the relationship, the more frequent the call-in. Why is Hashem more connected to Abba Umna than Abaye and Rava?

An answer is that Abba Umna faces and overcomes challenges which Abaye and Rava did not. Abba Umna overcomes daily challenges faced by doctors, such as Tzeni’ut and payment, and therefore merits a daily call from Hashem. Rava and Abaye are completely immersed in purely holy activities and therefore merit a check-in only in preparation for holy days. 

Counterpart to Tov SheBeRofim LeGeinhinom 

The accolades Chazal heap upon Abba Umna contrasts sharply with the Mishna’s (Kiddushin 82a) shocking declaration that “Tov SheBeRofim LeGeinhinom,” the best doctors are destined for purgatory. Rashi to the Mishna explains that doctors become arrogant and do not treat patients who can’t afford to pay them.

Abba Umna, on the other hand, shows that the Mishna’s evaluation of physicians does not apply to each doctor. Instead, it shows that doctors have potential to act in the worst of ways. Doctors in many ways have all the power. They control our most valued possessions: our very lives. A physician’s power can be abused and reduce the doctor to terribly low spiritual standing. However, it’s all about how they act, and Abba Umna shows that a physician has great potential to use his power for the good. Doctors who use their power positively, our Gemara teaches, are even greater than the greatest of Rabbis! 

Tzeni’ut

Chazal (Sanhedrin 106a) teach that “Elokeihem Shel Eilu Soneh Zima Hu,” Hashem hates promiscuity. Hashem is described as hating very few things. The only two things the Rabbis teach He hates are promiscuity and strife (Machloket).

The inverse is true as well. Hashem loves Tzeni’ut. One of the reasons why Hashem loves Abba Umna are the large efforts he makes to avoid breaches in Tzeni’ut in his practice. 

It is very tempting for physicians to cut corners with regard to Tzeni’ut. The practice of medicine is exceedingly stressful with much pressure weighing on the staff’s shoulders. Tzeni’ut observance in such a tense environment makes Abba Umna exceedingly beloved to Hashem.

Payment 

Abba Umna payment method is brilliant! Not only does it protect the dignity of the poor, it also ensures that quality of care for poor individuals is not compromised.

The Gemara (Bava Kama 85a) teaches that “Asya DeMagen BeMagen Magen Shavya,” a doctor who works for free is worthless. When one is not remunerated for his services, it is very tempting to cut corners. Motivation for excellence is dramatically diminished. In fact, I heard a leading Rabbi, who also serves as a professor at a respected law school, remark “lawyers do their pro bono work in the shower”.

Abba Umna’s payment system brilliantly avoids this pitfall. He has no idea which patient is not paying and therefore he treats each one with the same excellent care. 

Abba Umna is Wealthy!

Despite Abba Umna’s extraordinarily lenient payment system, the Gemara indicates that he was quite wealthy. How did this happen? It is possible that he made his money from investments outside of medicine. The Gemara does indicate that he possessed a keen business acumen.

My son Binyamin suggests that Abba Umna became wealthy from his medical practice. Binyamin notes that when one sets a fee for services he establishes not only a floor but a ceiling as well. Binyamin thinks that people of means were so grateful for Abba Umna’s care that they paid him generously and more than they would have if he set a fee.

TABC Talmid Yakov Halstuch adds: People in financial need would be so over the moon by their treatment that they would recommend Abba Umna to their (rich) friends, who would then pay generously. Similarly, if one such person turned their financial situation around, they would most likely go back to Abba Umna and now pay him extra.

A Calling to Medicine

The Gemara describes the great esteem in which Abba Umna held Rabbeim. His providing food for Rabbeim to replenish them after treatment motivates others to become great Talmidei Chachamim.

Abba Umna was clearly a brilliant man who loved Hashem and Torah scholars. If so, why then did Abba Umna not leave medicine and become a Torah scholar? He had the intellectual and financial means to do it, so why not?

Apparently, Abba Umna had a drive to practice medicine. Medicine was his passion and that is how he wished to spend the bulk of his professional efforts. Medicine was his “Geshmak” (yen). Chazal respect this emotion.

Conclusion- A Variety of Paths to Torah Greatness

Not every Jew is expected to become a great Rav. Chazal respects people’s needs to pursue those constructive activities for which one yearns to do and contribute. Moreover, one can achieve spiritual greatness in pursuit of his “Geshmak.” Perhaps the most important lesson that emerges from our story is that there are a variety of ways for one to achieve spiritual greatness. One only needs to find his path that will bring great satisfaction, as well as rich spiritual reward.