I thought I recalled Rashi on Leviticus 19:17 to include, "even a slave his master, even a talmud his rav." I do not find that in Rashi today, but where is it said, and how is Rav not in concert with it, if he means differently in saying, "dust in Job's words: there is no slave to reproach his master?"
H David Levine, Roanoke, VA USA
Shalom R' Levine,
Great to hear from you!
I see that it is in Bava Metzia 31a where we learn that even a Talmid should give Tochachah to his Rav. I understand the comment about Rav to mean that a person is expected to express great reverance and respect when offering criticism of a prominent person. In other words, if a point of rebuke about my superior must be made, so be it, but let me do it only with the greatest delicacy and deference -- even indirectly -- as the Rambam writes in Hilchos Talmud Torah 5:9.
May you continue to attain greatness in Torah and Yiras Shamayim!
I beg your pardon. In my haste, I believe I made a mistake in interpreting both the Gemara and your question.
Rav is criticizing Iyov for not showing proper deference to God's authority. And although there is an obligation of giving Tochachah -- even to one's (human) master -- that would not apply to Hash-m, whose actions are all righteous. Thus, when Rav says "Is there a servant who rebukes his master?" he means that Iyov should have shown greater reverance and not have been critical of God's judgment.
May you continue to attain greatness in Torah and Yiras Shamayim!
Warmly,
Yishai Rasowsky