Those who know me know how much I love books. There’s something soul-like in every book one reads. Of course, reading a book is also getting a glimpse into the soul of the author. One has the opportunity to gain in just one book – what might have taken the author tens of years to acquire. It is an incredible experience to consider that someone else has put years into achieving a goal which can now be gained by someone else in a few hours.
What’s really amazing is that it’s as if books are infinite. Surely there should be a finite amount of books in the world (one would think), but the more one learns, the more one realises there are really an infinite amount of books available for us to read.
I know — some people today have bucket lists. They say that there are certain things they feel they need to do before dying. Some people might say they’d like to visit a certain place before they die. Others will say they want to bungee jump! People have lists of things that to them they believe to be important. My bucket list really revolves around the books I’d still like to obtain for my own library and to be able to read them all! Those wishing to take part in my bucket list of books are always welcome to help me to obtain them!
But, it’s one thing for someone like myself to speak about, still being fairly young. It’s quite another when someone over 80 years old begins a journey into a world of Torah Halachah that other young whippersnappers have no desire to even think of exploring. It’s a really humbling experience to see a man over 80 explore the world of Torah, become a rabbi and achieve what many in their twenties, thirties and forties can only dream about or will only ever dream about.
A few months ago Yeshivas Iyun Halachah – a Yeshivah which advertises itself online and offers Shiurim throughout the world – had a Siyum for completing various studies in their Semichah program. They are an outstanding Yeshivah to learn with, having some of the really finest rabbis one can learn from – and I certainly recommend registering and studying from them if you are interested in learning more about Torah, Halachah and what it takes to become a rabbi. While notes are sent out bi-weekly for the most part – it’s not just some sort of online Yeshivah. Shiurim are given as well and of course, the notes are there to guide the student through the material so that they should pursue the original texts, reading and progressing in their own learning abilities. It’s just not enough to think of reading notes. One must get into the text and be able to learn it on one’s own!
The entire Siyum – shown on the video below – is outstanding to watch and I recommend it for everyone. But just over the half-way mark (let’s say from 30 minutes onwards and in particular 34 minutes onward) this really special man comes to the mic to talk. Rabbi Asher Kalonimus (Arthur) Schlissel a man well over 80 accepts an award from the Yeshivah having completed – I think – all the programs offered by the Yeshivah. His speech is simply beautiful and inspirational and I recommend for everyone to listen to it.
Learning is not something that takes place when one is young. In fact, even obtaining further credentials – such as becoming a rabbi – can take place even as one ages. There is no need to feel like one cannot accomplish – especially when it comes to learning Torah. There are so many programs available today that guide one through everything one needs, and all one need do is to register and put in the necessary effort to complete them.
Hearing this man talk makes one realise just how far each of us can go – and needs to go. I found the talk most inspirational, and I hope you will enjoy this video.
If you want to register for the Yeshivah – check it out yourself at this link Yeshivas Iyun Halachah. Meanwhile – I hope you’ll enjoy this video.
