Torah Study - Raising the Bar

Today is the first day of the new Daf Yomi cycle. As I mentioned in a recent blog post - this is my 4^th time going through Shas.

One of the most important Mitzvos in the Torah is the actual study of it.  VeHagisa Bo Yomam Valayla (Yehoshua 1:8). One should - to the best of their ability - set aside regular times for learning Torah.

There are many ways one can accomplish this. By learning in a Yeshiva or Kollel one will spend the majority of their day doing this. “Torah Umnaso” – Torah is his profession.

Most people, however, spend the majority of their day trying to support their families. That means being Koveah Itim – establishing regular times for learning Torah. Usually this means setting up a daily learning schedule of some sort.

One way to do that is through the learning of Daf Yomi. But as I also pointed out in that post - it is difficult to retain all the intricacies of the Gemarah if all one does is go to a daily Shiur lasting only an hour. However swimming in the “Sea of Talmud” is still a wonderful way to be Koveiah Itim.

Wednesday evening at the Siyum, Rabbi Frand issued a challenge. Citing the example of the recently departed Mir Rosh HaYeshiva, Rav Nosson Tzvi Finkel (whose disabling disease never deterred him from accomplishing great things) he said,  “Beyond your reach, is within your grasp!” His point was that one should always strive to do more. Never be satisfied with complacency.

For those who want a bit more than just a quick daily “swim” to cover an entire Daf, there is a new website that sounds very exciting. It’s called Shas Illuminated. It will delve into many of the Rishonim and Achronim on each Daf daily.

I am proud to announce that among the various Magidei Shiur will be my own son Rabbi Meyer Maryles (pictured). He will be doing several of the Perakim in Meseches Shabbos which will become available online before the Daf Yomi cycle reaches it.