The Silence of Awe – Noach

“He exiled all of Yerushalayim… all the mighty warriors… all the craftsmen (Hecharash)..” (Kings II). This refers to the mighty Torah scholars, among them were the Charash… What when does this mean? They were such great scholars that when one of them spoke up, everyone became mute (charashin) as it were and remained silent. (Midrash Tanchuma, Parshat Noach #3)

This is a reference to the silence that comes from awe, similar the concert that was so breathtaking that the audience remained silent even after the last note had drifted off. This is the silence that should follow powerful learning or a powerful prayer.