Our Gemara on Amud Aleph, we encounter an incident involving a group of elders from the city of Nezonya who declined to attend a Shiur (lecture) by Rav Chisda:

סָבֵי דְנָזוֹנְיָא לָא אֲתוֹ לְפִירְקֵיהּ דְּרַב חִסְדָּא, אֲמַר לֵיהּ לְרַב הַמְנוּנָא: זִיל צַנְּעִינְהוּ. אֲזַל אֲמַר לְהוּ: מַאי טַעְמָא לָא אֲתוֹ רַבָּנַן לְפִירְקָא? אֲמַרוּ לֵיהּ: אַמַּאי נֵיתֵי? דִּבְעֵינַן מִינֵּיהּ מִילְּתָא וְלָא פְּשַׁט לַן. אֲמַר לְהוּ: מִי בְּעֵיתוּ מִינַּאי מִידֵּי וְלָא פָּשֵׁיטְנָא לְכוּ?

The Gemara tells us that the elders of Nezonya chose not to attend Rav Chisda's lecture. In response, Rav Chisda instructed Rav Hamnuna to "ostracize" them, as he believed they were showing disrespect to the Sages. Rav Hamnuna approached these elders and asked why they had not attended the lecture. They explained that they had posed a question to Rav Chisda, and they were not satisfied with his response, leaving them with no incentive to join his lecture. Rav Hamnuna said to them: Have you asked me anything that I did not resolve for you? Ask me your question.

One may wonder about the connection between the elders' complaint and Rav Hamnuna's willingness to help. After all, their concern was with Rav Chisda's responsiveness to their questions. However, the significance lies in the fact that Rav Hamnuna was a disciple of Rav Chisda and likely assisted during lectures. His offer to "fill in the blanks" indicated his commitment to addressing their inquiries.

This incident and Rav Hamnuna's response prompt reflection on the qualities of an inquisitive and attuned individual. Such a person should remain open to the possibility that complaints about others might have relevance to their own conduct. When Rav Hamnuna heard the elders' complaint about Rav Chisda, rather than assuming he was beyond reproach, it inspired him to self-reflect. He considered whether the elders also felt he was unresponsive to their needs.

In essence, this episode serves as a reminder of the importance of self-awareness and receptiveness to constructive criticism. It encourages us to look beyond our initial reactions and explore how others' concerns might shed light on our own behavior and character.

Translations Courtesy of Sefaria, except when, sometimes, I disagree with the translation

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