אין דברי תורה מתקיימין אלא במי שממית עצמו עליה שנאמר זאת התורה אדם כי ימות באהל
Torah only endures within a person who tirelessly toils over it. “This is the law of the Torah regarding one who dies in a tent…” (Bamidbar 19:14, Berachot 63b)
Let me introduce you to David.
Years ago, I used to deliver Jewish philosophy lectures along with a close friend in the home of a fiery Moroccan, Israeli woman. A gracious hostess, she would regularly gather together large groups to partake in our engaging seminars. Leaving everyone inspired and engaged, they were a huge success.
While her husband, David, was also an attendee, he was clearly not too interested in the discourse, but would politely enter the lecture room adorning his yarmulke. He would try as best as he could to listen to the lecture, but by the final word, off came the yarmulke. Seminar after seminar, nothing seemed to touch the hostess' husband. He neither put on t'fillin, nor kept Shabbat. Indifferently, allowing his wife to observe the sacred rituals of Shabbat, and carry along as she wished, our speeches seemed to fall on deaf ears. David was simply uninterested.
One day, his wife approached me pleading, “You have to speak to my husband!” After explaining that pushing him too much may not be the wisest decision and that allowing him to grow at his own pace would be preferred, she understood. But, being the good-natured wife, she hoped that he would come around and embrace the beautiful life of Jewish heritage where she so deeply identified.
It was then that I decided we would try something new. Before everyone gathered together to hear the regularly scheduled philosophical lecture, I would deliver a small g'morah class in the hopes of intriguing David. The venture was successful, and David started attending (and apparently liking... really liking) the sessions. Considering his background in computers, the systematic logic and thinking processes which made up the Talmud struck a chord within, and indeed, David began to take up the study of g'morah becoming more and more familiar with its beauty and depth.
On the day of the 10th Siyum HaShas, September 28,1997, David was asked to join by a friend bearing an extra ticket. Surrounded by thousands At Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Long Island, New York, David was mesmerized by the fantastic scene of Jews who had gathered to celebrate the accomplishment of those who had learned through the 2,711 pages of the Talmud. Then came a moment starting David on a life-changing journey.
“Did everyone here learn through the entire Talmud over seven and a half years?” David inquired of his peer, who replied, “I don’t think everyone did, but I am sure a high percentage have done so successfully.” David persisted, “Are they all rabbis?” to which he learned, “No, many of the men amongst us are doctors, lawyers, computer technicians, and other professionals.” Carefully listening to his friend as he took in the breathtaking spectrum of tens of thousands of dedicated Jews, David was immensely moved.
So launched his own road forward. The next morning, David began attending a local Daf haYomi class, continuing the next day, and so on for the next three weeks that quickly turned into three months. While David's wife knew that something had inspired him, she was beyond surprised when she heard what exactly was occupying his time and how far he had progressed in just a matter of months. Every morning after attending Daf Yomi, David continued on to daven with a minyan, and don t'fillin.
Seven and a half years later, David was not merely a spectator at the Siyum HaShas; he was a participant. Dedicatedly learning the daily daf every morning, David accomplished something he never would have contemplated years prior.
It was the night before the Siyum that I called David’s house and heard his wife pick up. “I just wanted to wish David a mazal tov on his tremendous feat. I am so proud of him. But you, as his wife, should also know how privileged you are. Your husband is ‘Shas Yid!’ He is someone who has devoted hours upon hours to the most precious and meaningful endeavor.” All I could hear were tears on the other end of the line. “I know,” she responded, “thank you.”
To our amazement, David did not stop there. He continued to finish Shas a second time around and delve deeper into understanding the background and underpinnings of each piece of g'morah. Now, an even more accomplished computer analyst and Torah learner, David had pushed beyond his furthest dreams.
It was sometime later that I met David at a Shavuot seminar where he participated to listen to the numerous lectures accompanied by someone very important in his life: his chavruta (study partner). “Rabbi,” he said, “I apologize for not being able to attend your class, but I came here with my chavruta. We are going through Shas a third time b’iyun (in depth with its commentaries), and we scheduled a time to learn now...”
Now you know who David is.
Every single Jew, no matter where they find themselves on their journey of life, has the opportunity to make a 180, and forge a new path. Especially when it comes to the area of Torah learning, no one should ever feel that they are too old or unlearned to begin uncovering its beautiful concepts and lessons. Even a few moments spent on a daily basis will add up little by little until one has achieved something never imaginable. It is all because every one of us is surely capable of plummeting the depths of Torah and coming into contact with the greatest gift we have in this world. Yes indeed, little old you can become greater than ever envisioned.
Adapted from the TorahAnyTimes newsletter, published on the 10th of Tammuz, 5776, Parashat Chukat, July 16, 2016. Compiled and edited by Elan Perchik.
The Shas Jew
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