I f the weather cooperates the first-day-of-zeman chavrusa tumult has become an event while photographers are on scene to capture the commotion and drama. The pictures of white-shirted black-trousered young men (some in jackets others opting for the casual style of a jacket round over the shoulders) outside the iconic batei medrash of Lakewood or Mir is a regular feature on the picture pages of chareidi publications.
The tumult for the uninitiated is this unscripted informal matchmaking service ensuring that every single talmid in yeshivah finds an appropriate chavrusa — yet there is no computerized list or formal director no algorithm or aptitude test just well-meaning intermediaries making suggestions and answering questions as would-be chavrusas try to gauge their potential partners.
It’s our version of the stock or diamond exchange: intense discussions frenzied negotiations serious huddles and finally a deal and a new pair is formed. The fresh duo will thank the various mediators and make their way to wherever one of them has a chazakah on a seat and a new era will begin. They will learn to discern each other’s moods start to understand the nuances and expressions of the other. What the Rashba is still shver to you? I see you’re not chapping. I need a minute to think this through. They will connect on a deeper level their souls and hearts and minds merging in the pursuit of the one and only Truth.
Beyond that however they will know when the car is in the shop the wife isn’t feeling well and the baby was up all night.
