|
To question is to inquire, cross examine, doubt, and even
dispute. While many feel threatened by questions and do their
level best to discourage questioning it is our deep conviction
that to inquire after knowledge is divine.
This was Rabbi Shraga Simmons response to the question, "Why are
questions so important?".
(italics added for
clarity)
"The Torah
(Word of God or Teachings Of God) commands us to
mention the Exodus from Egypt twice each day -- once at night,
and once in the morning. We fulfill this by reciting the third
paragraph of the Shema which says: "I am the Lord your God, Who
brought you out of the land of Egypt..." Numbers 15:41)
In addition to this twice-daily mention of the Exodus, a primary
mitzvah
(commandment) of Seder night is "Maggid" -- telling
the story of the Exodus. But what is different about the Seder
that distinguishes it from the daily obligation to mention
Egypt?
The answer is intimated in the verse: "And it shall be when your
son will
ask you, 'What is this?' you shall say to him,
'With a strong hand God removed us from Egypt..." (Exodus 13:14)
The verse specifically refers to a child "asking." This teaches
us that the special mitzvah (commandment) of Seder night is to
recount the Exodus in a question-and-answer format. The very
name Haggadah means "telling," for the goal of the Seder is to
arouse curious questions, and satisfying answers."
Questions asked are the only questions that find satisfying
answers. Questions should not be viewed as an admission of some
lack but rather the beginning of new growth and development.
Questions make more room for knowledge.
Even questions asked with the wrong motive received satisfying
answers from our Messiah Jesus;
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees
to silence, they were gathered together. Then one of them, which
was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said
unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first
and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou
shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments
hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:34-40)
There are even times when one inquires of God in which He may
respond to you with a question;
And Jesus answered and said unto them, I will also ask of you
one question, and answer me, and I will tell you by what
authority I do these things.
(Mark 11:29)
Whatever your motives are questions should be ask with the
expectation of finding satisfying answers. |
