The Jewish masses knew a smattering of Torah, each according to his aptitude and desire. But to learn all of Shas? Who ever dreamed of such a thing? Yet Rav Meir Shapiro had a vision — tiny steps, a feasible daily regimen, and the masses could achieve a level they assumed was reserved for the elite
While the memory of last week’s worldwide celebration of Siyum HaShas is still fresh in our minds let us go back in time to that unforgettable moment when Rav Meir Shapiro ztz”l presented his idea before the Knesiah HaGedolah of Agudath Israel in 1923. Let us launch a global learning program for baalei batim Rav Shapiro proposed. Starting with Maseches Brachos one daf of Gemara would be scheduled for each day of the year. Working men would commit themselves to learning just one daf every day and in seven years they would complete all of Shas! The proposal was applauded enthusiastically.
Looking back it is amazing to think that this giant and visionary could not present the idea as an official recommendation of the Agudah leadership. For reasons of its own the Agudah administration did not initially endorse the plan and Rav Shapiro had to propose it on his own as an individual.
The latest Siyum HaShas has shown us once again what one person can do. One man of unbounded vision one man with the broad horizons of a spiritual giant could ascend above the here and now passing over the heads of other great men — yet men bound by their accustomed routine who don’t see the endless field of hope for change that confers the ability to move mountains of complacent thought and deed.
There is no doubt about it. Rav Meir Shapiro completely changed the Jewish people’s attitude toward Torah. Until the inception of daf yomi Torah study was tucked away in a corner of Jewish life and only the few who craved it came and took it. The Jewish masses knew a smattering of Torah each according to his aptitude and desire. But to learn all of Shas? Who ever dreamed of such a thing?
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