Ask the Rabbi
Question
On the Gemara in Pesachim 42a, Rabbi Yisroel Salanter asks why did the Gemara bring the story about those ignoramuses who came to the door with empty pails of water (mistakenly thinking that โmayim shelanuโ means โour waterโ and not โwater that rested overnightโ). He explains that itโs to teach us to believe what the rabbi says even though it does not make any sense. Doesnโt this sounds like the Chassidic approach, to heed whether it makes sense or not?
Answer
Midrashim and stories in the Talmud are usually open to many various interpretations, and itโs difficult to prove a position based upon only one possible explanation. The explanation which you offered to that story is similar to the Avnei Nezerโs (a Chassidic rebbe!), but there are many other explanations, as well. For example, the Sfat Emet (even himself a rebbe!) learns from there simply the importance of a rabbiโs wording his teaching so clearly, so that he shouldnโt be misunderstood. R. Eliezer of Metz alternatively suggest that the story is in the Talmud to teach us an halacha, that bโdieved, if one didnโt use โmayim shelanuโ (like those ignoramuses, who came in the morning when it was already too late to have the water rest overnight), the matza is still kosher (Beit Yosef, Or. Ch. 445).
Alienation
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 11, 5786
Haircuts on Yom Haatzma
Rabbi Yoel Lieberman | Iyyar 9, 5786
When does the Jewish day begin?
Rabbi David Sperling | Nisan 10, 5775











