JEWISH HOME LA

Dear readers,

Two weeks ago, I took our oldest son for a farher, a test by the rosh yeshiva of a local mesivta as part of the acceptance process. In addition to the personal, emotional meaning of coming to terms that our oldest would be leaving home, seeing the yeshiva world through his eyes brought me back to my days of entering the world of learning Torah full time.

It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it is, but there’s something exceptionally tranquil and peaceful in the hum of a zal, study hall in session. It’s as if all the maladies of the world were denied entrance at the door. Inside the four walls of yeshiva, there’s only room for the sweetness of learning, a deeper insight into a halachah, or an answer to a kashya. Names like Rashi and the Rambam, Tosfos and the Ran become alive as teachers in the sea of the Talmud.

As we get closer to Matan Torah, let us take some time to learn something extra—even if only for a half-hour. The main thing is that while we’re learning nothing else exists. Beside the greatness of learning in and of itself it will also lift us a bit out of the mundane fast-moving, all-consuming modern world we live in. It will soften our rugged exterior and allow us to be sensitive to others around us.

3321 years ago, we received a present at Sinai. Let us cherish it and renew our commitment to drink its waters and abide by its laws.

We are guaranteed by its author, “If you follow My statutes and observe My commandments and perform them, I will give rains… the Land will yield its produce… you will live in security in your land… and I will set up my covenant with you.”

Wishing you a wonderful Shabbos and a kabolas haTorah b’simchah u’bipnimiyus,

Shalom