"Why does the Torah forbid cooking on Shabbat?" "Why can't we eat meat and milk together?" "What is the source for married women having to cover their hair in public?" "Why do men wear Tefillin while women do not?"

Everybody has questions on the various different laws of the Torah. Though, the difference between a knowledgeable and an unknowledgeable person is how they deal with these questions. Just keep reading and you'll understand.

King Solomon was known to be the wisest of all men. He understood the "language" of all animals, and knew all the wonders of the creation. Yet, one Biblical Law left him baffled his whole life. He couldn't understand the secret behind the "Parah Adumah", in which the ashes of a Red Heifer purified one that was impure, yet, at the same time contaminated the one who took part in purifying the impure. The result of this procedure simply didn't make much sense!

The question that must be solved is why did G-d reveal the reasons to every Torah law to King Solomon, yet, decided to keep this one a secret?

Rabbi Yosef Salanter offered a powerful answer to this question. He explained that G-d is simply telling us that we don't have to know the reasons to everything we are commanded to do! What this means is, that knowing the reason for a Mitzvah shouldn't be the cause for us observing it, rather, the mere fact that G-d commanded us to keep the Mitzvah should be the reason for us to obey it.

Many people have a major problem in that they think they must understand the Mitzvot before they abide by them. In other words, knowing that the Torah forbids or obligates something isn't enough. They need to know the reasons behind them before following the restrictions and/or obligations. Although their approach sounds logical, nevertheless, it is not the proper way for us to conduct ourselves.

Picture the following scenario; A four year old child is told not to play with a box of matches because it is dangerous. "Why Mom? What's the big deal" asks the child. "It can burn the house down" says the Mother. Now, to some children this may not make too much sense. After all, how can a box with a bunch of small ‘sticks' burn down a whole house? But, as adults we understand the dangers it may present. Therefore, the child's lack of understanding wouldn't justify him playing with matches.

The same applies to us. Just because we don't understand certain Jewish laws doesn't exempt us from following them. Think about it; G-d created the world. Everything you see is from G-d. Do we need to understand his commandments before we follow them? Obviously NOT! This is not coming to say that we must not ask our Rabbi any questions, rather, we must fulfill the Torah's commandments even if we have yet to get any answers. The Torah is the divine wisdom. Our lack of wisdom is not a reason for us to disobey what we are commanded to do.