Today everyone is an expert. You go to the doctor with an ailment, and you are already telling the doctor what to prescribe. Not only because you did your research on Google, but because the advertisements tell you to go to your doctor and tell them what you need.
It’s the same in many areas in our life.
However, on deeper reflection we should question this behavior.
Researching so that you are educated, so that when you go to a professional for advice, you can understand what they are talking about, that is a good idea. But to think that we are the professional who has all the answers? Is that the right attitude?
In this week’s Torah portion, we read the story of the spies. This event had a major impact on the Jewish people. In short, this is the story of 12 leaders of the Jewish people who were sent by Moses to scout out the Land of Israel to see how best to capture the land. Not if to enter, but how to enter. Ten of the twelve came back and gave advice. Instead of reporting on the how, they mixed in their own perspective on the if and the why and the consequences of entering Israel. They placed themselves into positions of authority.
The lesson that the Torah teaches us is that it is OK to raise a question. It is a whole different story when you think that you also know the answer.
When you visit your doctor it is important to let them know that something is hurting you – how can they know your problem if you don’t let them know where you are hurting? However, you also must allow them to figure out how to best treat it. Of course, you don’t only want to have a friendly doctor but a doctor who is a friend so that you are guaranteed to get the best treatment and feel confident that your needs are being met.
In the desert the Jews were in good hands. Moses was a leader who cared about each and every Jew. There was no question that he was looking out for their best interest. The moment the spies stepped over the line and started giving advice instead of just reporting, was the moment they tainted their report with their own opinions. No longer were they asking questions; now they were making statements. That is a big difference.
If we want to make change, ask good and hard questions.