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Not Knowing

 Rabbi Akiva approached the city of Ginzak, whose residents asked him three questions to which he did not know the answer: First, does one fast for hours, or does one not fast for hours? The answer to the question was not available to Rabbi Akiva. Second, are clay jars that belong to gentiles permanently prohibited, or can they be rendered permitted? The answer was not available to him. Third, in what garments did Moses serve all seven days of the Tabernacle's inauguration, as acting priest when Aaron and his sons were initiated into the priesthood? Moses presumably did not wear the priestly vestments, as he himself was not a priest. Once again, the answer was not available to him.  -Talmud, Avodah Zarah


Rabbi Akiva was one of the most influential and greatest minds in Jewish history.  In this passage he admits to being ignorant of the answers to the questions posed to him.

Our tradition presents this story as an offering to us: are we humble, honest and wise enough to admit what we do not know?

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