Amidst the tumult of the Athenian agora, Baltimore’s recent riots, and the depredations of the Romans, these three venues hosted groups of people who could silence the chaos raging around them by meeting and learning together by posing questions.
The Socratic method, pioneered in ancient Athens by the philosopher Socrates and his disciple, Plato, encouraged Athenian men to think through important questions like What is real? How do we know what we know? Similarly the tannaim (of Bnei Brak fame, as mentioned in the Haggadah) and later the amoraim began to record the discussions among the argumentative rabbis. When studying Mishna one quickly learns the Hebrew abbreviation for “another opinion.” These teachers, too, began with questions that were posed by a Torah text or questions of law; and, the disputations were exhilarating and respectful, not laced with enmity and venom.
Leslie and I recently returned from a Hadassah Brandeis Institute in Baltimore on April 28th and 29th. West Baltimore was in flames and under curfew. We wondered if the women who subscribed to the series would still want to discuss Jewish Luck: A True Story of Friendship, Deception, and Risky Business at a time when their hearts were saddened by the situation straignt down Reierstown Road.. Like scholars of old (except this group was all female), the women engaged wholeheartedly in study and questions and reflection. In fact, they were prepared with a series of probing questions to engage in study. Study is not necessarily an escape from the “real world” as much as it reframes our approach to the world and encourages us to push our minds out of their pre-formed shapes and reconfigure thoughts and approaches. We thank the women of Baltimore who so enthusiastically participated with us and warmly welcomed us into their community.
As we think about Vera and Alisa’s friendship, we notice that they, too, engage in questions and arguments when they are together. While an onlooker might recoil from their intensity, it’s a sign of their absolute trust in each other. Leslie and I are similar. When flying home from Stockholm we heatedly discussed possible titles for our book. Glancing around the airline cabin, I noticed we had garnered the attention of a number of passengers. Sisterly love does not always take the form of gentle voices and soft gestures. As Alla would say, maybe it’s part of our "Jewish DNA" to enjoy arguing.
When I read the Torah and find God, Abraham or Moshe asking a question, I think about my own habits of thought. Do I ask myself enough questions about my actions? Do I employ the rhetorical question to good effect as Abraham did in Genesis 18:25-- "Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?" That rhetorical question forced God to reconsider God's plan to destroy the entire city of Sodom. Do I question in order to challenge myself and others? Do I listen to others’ thoughts as well as formulate questions?
Now it's time for us to listen to you. Feel free to comment and allow Leslie and me hear your thoughts and your questions.