Fourth Blessing 2: Appreciate Value of Wisdom

The Talmud in Berachot quotes a verse from Daniel that reads, “God gives wisdom to those who are wise.” The Gemara asks the obvious question: Why waste wisdom by giving it to those who are already wise? Why don’t you give wisdom to those who are stupid? The Gemara answers: This is a stupid question. If you gave stupid people wisdom, they wouldn’t know what to do with it.

Why would the gifted wisdom not help the previously stupid person understand that wisdom should not be wasted?

A person must first appreciate the value of wisdom before he can receive it as a gift. This is the only blessing that begins rather than ends with an acknowledgement of God’s gift.