HaRav Boruch Ber Lebowitz, Z’tl, Rosh HaYeshiva of the
Kamenitz Yeshiva is quoted in Growth Through Torah (p.287) as follows:
“What can I compare to my situation? I wake up in the morning, and it
is as though I have the Shaagas Aryeh, the Ketzos HaChoshen and Rebbe
Akiva Eiger at my bedside. I can’t wait to wash my hands and arise to
my riches!”
Truth be told, the riches referred to by Rav Boruch Ber are not unique
to Roshei Yeshivos or world renowned Talmidei Chachomim, but, as Shlomo
HaMelech teaches in Mishlei ( 3:14 ) “For its [the Torah’s] commerce is
better than the commerce of silver, and its gain [is better] than fine
gold.” We must remember that unlike money, which is fixed, objective
and extrinsic (you put it in your pocket--not in your heart or brain),
Torah is so infinite, subjective and internal that it relates to every
single person living at any time in his own way and on his own
particular level. In fact HaRav Chaim Kanievsky, Shlita, learns that
when the Gemara (Nidah 30B) teaches that an Angel learns Torah with a
fetus in his mother’s womb--it does not necessarily refer to all of
Torah, but **TO THAT PERSON”S **chelek, or part, in Torah. While we
are expected to cover some ground in Torah before some ground covers
us, in no event will two person’s quantity or quality of learning be
the same.
It is truly a primary responsibility to discover our part in Torah, in
at least the same way as we try to be successful in our business, at
our jobs, or even when shopping. Not always is what is easy or
convenient most meaningful. The G’RA writes in Even Shleima that one
can go to many lectures, and hear many “shmuessen”--but ultimately a
person’s strategy must come from within--from his particular
self-knowledge, to be successful. As succinctly stated by Hillel in
Avos (1:14)--“If I am not for myself who will be for me?”
As we reach closer and closer to Shavuos, we all, men, women and
children alike, should begin to prepare for the “closing”--for the
acquisition of something more precious than anything we can even
imagine. Somehow the coveted contract is ours--unbelievably, we are
the purchasers! So what can we do to prepare for this day? Each
person must reflect upon, research and study what he is going to do
with his new acquisition. Is he learning enough now? What is his
potential? What must he change? Will he leave more learning to
retirement age--even though the wisest of all men has already told him
which business is more important?
This reflection can be accomplished by actually sitting down with a pad
and paper and an open mind. This is by no means limited to men--there
are many Halachos and Hashkafos, shiurim, books and self-study that are
imperative for women, as well.
We **ALL** should wake up every morning to our riches at our bedside--why leave them in the locked Bais HaMedrash?
Important Numbers
