Timeless Torah

Who has not heard of the malevolent “Evil eye”? In many cultures, the potency of such a gaze was believed to have enormous power capable of inflicting tremendous damage. The "evil eye" however, mentioned in this week's Ethics of our Fathers is not to be confused with the ability to cast curses, and truly belongs in another category. This does not mean it lacks punch. In fact, the Mishna states, “The evil eye...drives a man from this world.” Nevertheless, our Sages are not talking about witches and black magic - just a sense of proportion.
The Mishna begins by listing the five most outstanding disciples of Rabbi Yochanan Ben Zakkai, the first one being Eliezer Ben Hyrkenus. Now, this Eliezer had been completely illiterate. Driven by an unquenchable thirst for learning, he fled his wealthy father's estate to study with Rabbi Yochanan in Jerusalem. Despite extreme deprivation, he studied diligently, quickly surpassing his fellow students. Possessing a phenomenal memory, he retained everything he had ever learned, which prompted his teacher to compare Eliezer to, “A cemented cistern which never loses a drop.”
The following Mishna continues with Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakkai charging his five students to, "Go and see. Which is the good way to which a man should cleave?” Not surprisingly, each of the young Rabbis discovered that the temperament most beneficial to man reflected the influence of his own particular character.
Thus, Rabbi Eliezer answers his master that, “a good eye” is the single, most important quality for a person to aspire to. It was this unfailing receptivity to other people, things and ideas that transformed the illiterate farmer boy into “A cistern that never loses a drop.”
Later on, when the students were asked to describe, "The evil path from which a man should keep far away,”, Rabbi Eliezer replies that man should strongly avoid having "an evil eye." Once again, the young aspiring scholar who gave up a life of comfort in order to learn is being true to form. A niggardly, jealous spirit which abhors sharing will not be successful in a classroom.
Note that in both cases, the good eye as well the evil, are counted in the singular: To view things with only one eye guarantees distortion. For a more balanced perspective, we must remember to use both eyes.
Although Rabbi Eliezer himself ran away from home he doesn't condemn his father's lifestyle. Issues are not always black and white, good vs. bad. What is proper for one individual may not be warranted for others. Using both eyes doesn't mean that the differences between good and evil have to be blurred. It does however demand that you listen to both sides of the discussion and most importantly - get a sense of proportion.