|
Additionally, when the Talmud is
unable to definitively resolve certain
questions of law or practice, it often
states that the question have to wait
for Elijah. With the advent of the
final era, one of Elijah's roles will
be to resolve all those lingering
scholarly quandaries.
There is
an opinion in the Talmud which states
that five cups of wine, not four, are
to be drunk at the Seder. In practice
we follow the majority opinion and
drink only four cups. In deference to
the minority opinion, however, we pour
the Fifth Cup of wine even though no
one drinks from it. This Fifth Cup of
wine bears the name of Elijah because
it is he who will eventually resolve
this question, as well as many others.
Jews
believe in questions. Whether it is
the innocent question of a youngster
at the Seder, or the penetrating query
of a Talmudic sage, Judaism neither
hides its questions nor hides from
them. Thoughtful questions fueled by a
relentless pursuit of truth and wisdom
are part and parcel of the Jewish
experience. We celebrate questions and
applaud a desire for truth that burns
not for a day, a semester, or even for
years -- but until the end of time
itself. |
