The Power of “I Don’t Know”

A wise person… does not rush to answer… and about what he does not know, he says, “I do not know.” (Avos 5:7; Pirush HaRambam)

 

The story is told of a simple Jew who came to the local rabbi with a very simple question. The rabbi became serious, “this is a difficult question,” said the rabbi. He consulted some seforim and gave an answer. After the questioner left, the rabbi was asked why he made such a to-do out of so simple a question. He answered, “If I make light of simple questions, they will be ashamed to ask truly serious questions.”

 

As educators we focus a lot of effort on teaching information. Yet, it is equally important to encourage questions. Learning is a lifelong process, not a fixed destination like acing a test. Information and answers teach students what we know, but asking questions and researching answers teaches students how to learn. Hence, the advice, “Do not rush to answer.” Take every question seriously.

 

Not only are questions important, it is arguable that the three most important words in education are “I don’t know.” After all, the unknown is where learning begins.

 

Perhaps this is why Rashi in his commentary on the Torah writes in a few locations, “I don’t know what this comes to teach us.” Rashi could have said nothing—after all, he doesn’t comment on every verse. Yet, he made a point of highlighting the question, only to say that he has no answer. Rashi’s humble comment sends a clear message to the child learning Chumash, “Your question is excellent, and I’m stumped!” This comment teaches us so much—the value of a question, the importance of humility, and that even the greatest Torah scholar does not have all the answers.

 

The Zohar compares studying Torah to the Manna, which left those who ate it both full and hungry. It explains that because the Torah is infinite the more one learns, the more he realizes how little he knows, whetting his appetite to study more. In a similar way, the Zohar compares secular wisdom to the bottomless ocean depths, also expressing the limitless wisdom of the Creator.

 

As much as we learn, there is always more to know.

 

Ideas and Resources

 

Consider starting the year by leading a discussion about what students don’t know, and what they want to learn. Include things that you as a teacher don’t know. Acknowledge the limits of human understanding—that there are some things we may never know.

 

It can be useful to divide questions into information questions and essential questions, and discuss some of each before a lesson or unit. 

 

An information question has a definite answer. The answer may be known or yet to be discovered. Highlight some open questions that remain unanswered. A student might just find the answer. Here are some examples:

• What are the five books of the Torah?
• When did Rabbi Akiva live?
• When would a colony on the moon or mars celebrate Shabbos?
• Are there an infinite amount of prime numbers?
• What causes lightening?
• Is time-travel possible?