With each passing day, the anxiety began to build, and the pessimism began to percolate.
What could I possibly learn from them? The question once again rose to the forefront of my mind, but now the answer was readily apparent. They had so much to teach, if I was but ready to learn. Their commitment could serve as my compass, their resolve my rudder, their success an example to emulate. In that moment, I decided that the daf would stay, but it would be led by new leaders — men far greater than me, my talmidim, who through their unyielding dedication to the daf, had taught me yoser mikulam.
Rabbi Michael Weingarten is a third-year medical student and the coauthor of The King’s Vineyard: Pirchei HaGefen al HaTorah. He lives in Syracuse, New York.
(Originally featured in ‘One Day Closer’, Special Supplement, Chanuka/Siyum HaShas 5780)
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