Beautifying Knowledge over Physique

With all the hype surrounding the Olympic games and the procession of the torchbearers, it is important to turn our focus to the real challenges in life.
I feel it is important for us as Jews – the People of The Book – to promulgate the studying of our life guide: the Torah. Whilst we all believe that the written and oral law were given at Sinai, it is sometimes out of our grasp to really delve into it on a daily basis. Some people tend to be intelligent, studious or principled; they will find the time, resources and the drive to become well-versed in our holy Torah. Not everyone is like this, so what is there the rest of us? Are we to remain ignorami forever?! 

It is therefore heartening that a solution is there for every Jew to familiarise himself with the words of wisdom, comportment and lore that is hidden in the fountain of wisdom. The Daf-Yomi* programme is just this: a daily learning programme, which has in it's dozen cycles brought the word of HaShem to millions of Jews.

Join the real torchbearers of our ancient rich heritage, which distinguishes itself with the power of the intellect – not raw physics. The Daf Yomi sets us apart as a species that thinks, analyses and grows from this continuous educational experience. Whereas the Greeks gave a competition-filled game to the world, the daily Daf gave us an even older future: to know the Creator though the blueprint of the universe – the Torah.

Next week, the current Daf Hayomi cycle is nearing its finishing line, which will be celebrated throughout the world in the form of grandiose Siyum Hashass** events. Perhaps the time has come to enlist more members to this uninterrupted learning programme.

Let's do it for the sake of HaShem, for the sake of the Torah and for the sale of Am Yisrael. Let us remember all those who gave their life for belonging to the People of the Torah: those who were murdered during the Hebron Disturbances in 1928, the victims of the Nazi monster, in the period leading up to – and in the course of – WWII, and the many individuals or whole communities who were killed or wounded in the Zionist-Arab conflict – on the holy soil of the holy land and elsewhere.

Let's hope that - in the merit of all the millions of hallowed pages, which ascend to heaven – we will soon be able to line the streets and witness the torch of Emuna, Tiqwa and Geulah*** being led through our streets, on its way to the Holy Temple where we shall celebrate the ultimate redemption from Galut Yavan and Galut Edom****, speedily in our days, Amen.

Thank you,

Menasche Scharf

* (lit. daily leaf/page)

** (lit. the finishing of the six tomes)

*** (lit. belief, hope and redemption)

**** (lit. the Greek exile and the Edomite exile)