Often, we quote a saying without giving it much thought. “Giving credit where credit is due" is one such example.
This saying can have more than one meaning. It is said when someone does something for you, and although you could have done the same yourself, you offer credit to the one who performed the act. This saying also applies when sharing an idea. If you hear a concept from someone, you should attribute it to them. This is commonly done when giving a lecture or writing a paper, when citing the source is of utmost importance.
However, it is worth asking, why is that so? Do we always have to give attribution? Imagine if, in every conversation you have, you must say which teacher shared each thought with you or which book or article cited what you shared. You could go crazy.
On Purim, in the scroll of Esther, we read, “And Esther told the king in the name of Mordechai" (Esther 2:22) The Talmud (tractate Megillah 15a) teaches that from that quote we can learn a fascinating lesson: Sharing information using the name of the person who spoke it first can bring redemption.
You see, Esther shared with the king very important information. Mordechai, she said, uncovered a plot to poison the king! Once the king’s investigation was complete, and it turned out to be real, Mordechai was rewarded. Imagine if Esther had not cited her source? The whole downfall of Haman might have never happened.
Yet, we see that not every time someone shares a lesson do they quote the source. Practically, it can be annoying. How do we reconcile the two approaches?
Here is a good rule to follow: If the information is novel, and it was said to you specifically, you should share from whom you learned it. However, if it is something that you have studied, read, or heard and then thought about until you internalized the idea and now you are ready to share it, the idea has now become yours.
The greatest compliment that you can give your teacher is to internalize their teaching and make it your own. As the saying goes, “Plagiarism is the greatest form of flattery.”
Shabbat Shalom
PS – Before making this idea your own, let me share my source with you. I learned this from the Lubavitch Rebbe, printed in Likkutei Sichos, vol 36.