Asking questions

Rabbi Ari Kievman

Chabad’s Goodness & Kindness Centre, Sandton Central

The Torah portion this week treats us to a dramatic description of the most epic event in Jewish history that took place 3 328 years ago on Mount Sinai. Hashem offered us the Torah, and we gave our memorable response: naaseh venishma – “we will do and listen”.

Naaseh – “we will do” was an expression of faith, a commitment to observe the commandments. It wasn’t just our acceptance of the Torah, though. We followed that with venishma which means to listen, committing ourselves, as well, to understanding the commandments.

Torah means instruction; it’s our guide to how we must live our lives. Faith in Hashem and the Divinity of G-d’s commandments is paramount. But rather than suffice with blind acceptance alone, G-d wants us to use our intellectual skills to analyse, probe, and question, thereby understanding the Torah’s instructions and making it our own.

Some of the greatest figures in the Torah asked questions of G-d. One who studies Talmud is familiar with its analytical style of questions, answers and refutations. Many works of Jewish literature are written in the style of “questions and answers”. No doubt then that asking is not anathema to Jewish tradition.

There are many questions that so many of us have, and struggle with comprehending. But we mustn’t cease to probe and seek. Do we lose our faith if we cannot find a satisfactory answer?

Questions can come in different forms. Some stem from a sincere desire to learn and understand, while others may be sourced in cynicism. When a person of faith asks, then no matter how unsatisfactory the answer may be, it still won’t shake their faith. Conversely, for the sceptic, no matter how brilliant the answer, they’re discontented.

By deepening our understanding of Torah, we can best connect with G-d’s will, thereby fully engaging ourselves with Divine wisdom. Hence the purpose of our questions is not to dismiss but out of a genuine desire to learn while also realising the limitation of our understanding.

This method of study, acceptance coupled with understanding, ensures the eternal survival of Torah, guaranteeing that its teachings won’t be forsaken because of doubts which inevitably will arise.

In my limited experience, I’ve learnt best by living and understood when doing. Just as fine cuisine, literature, or music are appreciated by experiencing them, there is no way of grasping kosher or Shabbos without involvement in them. Judaism can only truly be understood by experiencing it. 

I encourage you to be proactive in exploring your Judaism, and your personal connection with Hashem. Today it’s easy to seek answers, even anonymously, from websites to printed literature, to real-life interaction with a teacher or rabbi. I’ll soon be starting a new lecture series exploring some of Judaism’s toughest questions. You’re welcome to send me any of your questions. My e-mail address is rak@chabad.org.za