Our Gemara on Amud Aleph records a reaction to a question posed by Rabbi Zeira to Rabbi Ami. Rabbi Ami is described as having paused, in a state of surprise. The Aramaic is “eshtomem,” which implies a state of surprise, at a loss for words. It is from a question that was thought provoking and induces a review of prior assumptions in order to answer. See Rashi (Daniel 8:13 and Bereishis 24:21.)

This figure of speech comes up a few times in Shas and always involves Rabbi Zeira posing a question; however, the colleague or rebbe in each case is different. (See Succah 44a, Moed Kattan 3b, Shabbos 47a, and Kiddushin 39a.) This is interesting because Rabbi Zeira isn’t the one who pauses in astonishment — it’s his colleagues or Rebbes. We must wonder about the power of Rabbi Zeira that his questions often produced such a reaction!

We can say in general, the teacher-student relationship is mutually influential, and the teacher draws as much from the student as the student from the teacher. As per the Gemara (Taanis 7a):

“Rav Naḥman bar Yitzḥak said: Why are Torah matters likened to a tree, as it is stated: ‘It is a tree of life to them who lay hold upon it’ (Proverbs 3:18)? This verse comes to tell you that just as a small piece of wood can ignite a large piece, so too, minor Torah scholars can sharpen great Torah scholars and enable them to advance in their studies. And this is what Rabbi Ḥanina said: I have learned much from my teachers and even more from my friends, but from my students I have learned more than from all of them.”

Rabbi Zeira had the ability to break paradigms and assumptions. When he asked a question — everything stopped. What was his secret? We do know that he had a great thirst to study Torah in Eretz Yisrael. But not only that, he felt the need to unlearn and break his assumptions from his studies in the academies of Bavel so that he could absorb the Torah of Eretz Yisrael fresh. Gemara Bava Metzia (85a) tells us that he fasted 100 fasts to cleanse himself and receive divine intervention so that he could perform this reset. This was a man who was motivated to learn, but specifically to learn by being open and free of assumptions.

Another biographical feature that I believe is related. There were ruffians in his neighborhood who he maintained some kind of relationship and association with, in the hopes of bringing them closer to God. His colleagues did not approve of it, considering it a lost cause and a diminishment of his stature and honor for Torah. He was only vindicated after his death, when they finally had an awakening toward repentance. They exclaimed, “Until now, …[Rabbi Zeira], would pray for compassion for us. Who will pray for compassion for us now? They thought about this in their hearts and repented.” (Sanhedrin 37a)

I am possibly just imagining this, but I think the same quality within Rav Zeira was how he somehow reached these people. He disarmed them with the right kind of questions and without making assumptions about them. He saw them and related to them with equanimity that cruised below their defenses, and led them also stop and think, and challenge their own thinking.

There are people like that in the world who have the ability to see another person fully, without prior judgment, but still with engagement and presence. Such people cause us to face ourselves. This might have been Rav Zeira’s gift that led him to ask the kind of questions that made everyone stop and think. He didn’t filter with past assumptions and also was fully engaged. This allowed him to notice things that others would not, and ask the kinds of questions that changed the whole equation.