The Importance of Curiosity as a Jewish Spiritual Value

“When one door closes, another opens,” they say, and those words ring true as we come to our final days together. We glimpse through the crack of the closing door, and see what we have achieved and experienced during the two years now ending, just as we stand before an opening door and prepare to begin and build new relationships.

We have spoken often, warmly, and with gratitude about President Bill Glenn and our leaders, Rabbi Boxman, Cantor Szterenberg, Rabbi Shlobin, Rabbi Greenberg, Howard Greenstein, Rabbi Sandy, Patty Goldstick and our staff. And as I look forward to my opening door as interim rabbi at Temple Israel Reform Congregation of Staten Island, I want to underscore the importance of curiosity as a Jewish spiritual value.

People have been asking for months, “Where are you going next?” and when I tell them “Staten Island,” the responses are as varied as anyone could imagine, Yet, walking into a new congregation as an interim, my curiosity prevails. “How do people show their love for their Temple? What is unique about this place, the pulpit, the staff, the school, or the meetings? How does the Temple reflect the culture of the larger community?”

You remember the Four Children of the Passover Seder, each child showing their curiosity by asking the same question in a different way. Through the Four Children, our tradition wants us to know the value of showing and addressing curiosity by asking a good question and providing a proper response.

For me, being curious is about wanting to know and asking open-ended questions. It means listening as carefully as I can to the response and following up with more questions or a reflection about what I have learned from listening. I act on my curiosity all the time, whether chatting at the Oneg, meeting with a family to plan a baby naming or funeral, preparing for Torah study, or sitting down for a meeting.

Acting on curiosity means presenting a good question, which is usually open ended, such as, “Can you give me the background of that?” or asking for more information. It means more listening than talking. I am reminded of my mentor, the late Rabbi Chaim Stern, who one responded to a questioner with, “That’s a great question you are asking me. Are you sure you want to swap it for a mediocre answer?” That is one way to respond to a question, by asking another question

Following curiosity takes the edge off the worry. It speaks to a measure of self-confidence and hope. To me, it says, “I have been successful in the past and I am positive about the future, especially because I know I will learn and grow as I ask and listen.”
With abiding gratitude for the trust you have placed in me to serve as your Intentional Interim Rabbi.

Rabbi Dennis Ross