Our Gemara on Amud Beis tells of a Shaalah asked of Rava close to Yom Tov evening while he was already washing his hair for the holiday. It’s important to note the emotional availability and patience the rabbis had for pressing, last minute questions. Of course, many readers are familiar with the famous incident in Gemara Shabbos (31a) where two pranksters made a wager to see if they could make Hillel lose his patience. Hillel too was preparing for shabbos, washing his hair, and this person came knocking on his door with ridiculous questions. The person deliberately waited a while and then came knocking again with another frivolous question. This was repeated three times, and each time Hillel addressed the person patiently with great regard. Even though the questions were inane, and the person did not address Hillel with the appropriate honorifics, and came knocking at the worst times, Hillel continued to answer the questions and even comment, “Oh, that is an excellent question.”

This is a reminder to rabbis, teachers and parents of the degree of patience and respect that should be shown to those who ask questions. If this is true even when the questions are foolish, the tone is insolent and the timing is inconsiderate, can you imagine how we must respond in everyday life?