Why are Jews so obsessed with questions? On the night of the Passover Seder, the highlight is when the children ask the four questions. It’s not the four discussions, themes, or ideas – it’s the four questions. Ask anyone to list you the four questions, and they will spit them out…but ask them for the answers, and I’m not so sure you’ll get a response.
It almost seems like we are celebrating the questions? Why?
Because, in this case, the questions are the endgame, not just a means to an end.
We are a nation that has always been questioned. We were never treated the same as others.
It’s not a question that will ever be answered. It is, and will always remain, in one form or another.
Perhaps this in itself is a message to our children: Don’t feel questionable, even when you’re questioned. You don’t owe anyone an answer. Celebrate the question!
We know that whether we live in a ghetto or in a mansion, the Jewish question will always remain.
Throughout the generations, those who have tried to answer this question have failed. It’s not answerable.
Germany was a country where the Jews were well integrated into society. Bankers, lawyers, top influencers in society – but it didn’t matter. The Jewish question remained.
Jews poisoning the wells. Jews baking Christian blood in Matzah. Jews running the world. Jews committing genocide. It’s all the same.
That’s why we celebrate the question. We are celebrating our identity.
And guess what?
The question is our source of pride and strength.
You ask why?
Because it doesn’t really make sense that we are still around after so many generations of hatred. The question begs for an explanation on Jewish survival.
All of this points to only one explanation. The Jewish people are not a man-made invention, nor are we a political party. We were made at Sinai.
We were taken out of Egypt by the Creator. And our identity is not up for sale. It can be questioned, but it’s never questionable.
Because Jews outlasted the questioners.
Some questions don’t need answers. They’re not meant to receive any answer.
Our story is not the same.
We have a unique story, and we must share it with our children.
They need to know our roots. They need to hear about Moses, King David, and King Solomon.
Our children need to understand where we come from. That is what we celebrate on Pesach and the message we take with us.
Yes. Our question is loud and strong. And the lack of answers speaks volumes.
We are here to stay!
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Mendy
