Thursday, October 27, 2005

People Of The Book

Before Yom Kippur I went to Rabbi Yissocher Frand's annual teshuva drasha. After hearing him speak last year, I knew that it was an event not to miss.

Arriving twenty-five minutes early, I found a seat up near the front and watched the other early birds as they entered the room; each one entering with a sefer in hand. It was a remarkable to see people making use of every spare second before the lecture by learning Torah. Sitting idly in their seats was unthinkable. Whether they learned Mishnayos, Gemara, or Mishna Berura, every man was totally engrossed in the sefer he had brought along with him.

I sat there in awe at this wonderful testimony to the greatness of my people. I have never seen another people with such respect for books and learning; a people that always leave their homes with books in hand.

Mi K'amcha Yisroel?

6 Comments:

At October 27, 2005 at 3:46:00 PM EDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

howabout a book in the backpocket of your denim? ;-)

 
At October 27, 2005 at 4:07:00 PM EDT, Anonymous Anonymous said...

I agree, making the most of our time is very important because we have only a short time in this world and so we have to grab as many "diamonds" as we can while still here.

 
At October 30, 2005 at 1:55:00 AM EDT, Blogger MC Aryeh said...

I love the idea of always having a sefer in hand. Wish I put it into practice more often...

 
At October 30, 2005 at 8:00:00 PM EST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is very true & beautiful testimony to who we are & from whence we've come. It's true not only of very observant Jews...

One can love Hashemm am Yisrael and eretz Yisrael without being frum.

 
At October 31, 2005 at 6:28:00 AM EST, Blogger A Simple Jew said...

Anonymous: Indeed you are correct. It is true for all Jews.

 
At October 31, 2005 at 3:27:00 PM EST, Anonymous Anonymous said...

""one can love Hashem...without being frum.""

I feel that saying I love you is not enough. There needs to be action. And by doing what He wants(the mitzvots)we are showing Him that we love Him and care what He wants. Like a husband and wife for example, who show eachother their love by doing.

 

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