How to Ask a Really Great
Question...
By Rabbi Mordechai Kraft.
We all look forward to one of the
highlights of the Pesach Seder, the asking of the four questions. The
youngest may recite it or we all may recite it. We might even try to say it
in as many languages as we can: Bucharian, Russian, Yiddish, German, Persian
or French.
Why the emphasis on questions? In fact so
much of what we do at the Seder is specifically orchestrated to cause the
children to wonder and to ask. We take the seder plate away and then we put
it back; we pour wine but wait to drink it. Jewish law states that even if
someone is alone on Seder night, one must ask himself the four questions,
simply to read the Haggadah is not enough.
A
question means that there is something to discover, a new insight or a
new level of meaning. In fact, the word “haggadah” comes from the
Hebrew root “l’hagid” which means to reveal through speech. The Seder
through its questions reveals to us new levels of understanding of the
experience of going out of Egypt. We even break the matzah and search
for it. This too is like a question. I am only half complete right
now; I must search through the rituals and story of the evening to make
myself fully whole.
What makes a question a good question? The
Haggadah gives us examples of four sons and four questions. Let us compare
the question of the wise son and the evil son.
“The wise son what does he say: what are
these [different laws] that HaShem has commanded you.”
Now let us look at the evil son. “The evil son what does he say: what is
this service to you.” The questions appear very similar, just that the
wise son asks about the laws and evil son about the service. What makes one
a wise question and one an evil question?
The answer lies in knowing what is behind
the question. If we look in the Torah where the wise son’s question is
asked (Devarim 6:20) we find that it is introduced by the words, “when your
son will ask you tomorrow saying”. In contrast the words of the evil
son are introduced by the words (Shmot 12:26), “And it will be when your son
will say to you.”
What is behind a question is everything.
The wise son’s question is prefaced by when he will “ask” you. He is truly
asking a question, looking to know and grow. The evil son’s question is
preceded by the words, when he will “say” to you. He is not asking a
question. He does not want to grow and learn but rather thinks he has all
of the answers. This is the question of an evil person, going no where in
life.
Judaism implores us to always ask. At EMET
we always invite your questions. Our lectures are given specifically to
challenge you to ask. But let our questions be like the wise son’s:
prefaced by a genuine recognition that it is we who do not know, a genuine
thirst for truth, and a complete confidence that it is from the Torah and
wisdom of our Sages that we will find all of our answers.
Have a wonderful Passover—Chag Kasher and
Samaeach!
