Points you don’t want to miss:

The Talmud describes a special merit of women who allow their husband’s to go study Torah. “The merit of allowing them to go to study, and the merit of their waiting for their return.” In this remarkable statement the Talmud captures the significant sacrifice that a spouse makes by encouraging Torah study. The Talmud acknowledges that the woman would have preferred the husband be home, to help, and to have his company to chat. Yet, the women described, authorized their husbands to go out to study, even as they awaited their return. That energy of sacrifice is acknowledged and the Torah study of one spouse is considered to the credit of the couple.

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A quote of Jewish unity from the Rabbis of Yavneh: I (the Rabbinic scholar) am created by Hashem, and my fellow (the unlearned Jew) is created by Hashem. My daily task is in the city (and involves less exertion) and his task is in the field (involving manual labor). I arise diligently to my daily task, as he does to his. Just as he is not jealous of my task, I am not jealous of his. You may think that since I study more Torah than he does, I am greater. But really, “One who does a lot and one who does a little, as long as the intent is for the sake of Heaven.”

In other words, the Rabbis of Yavneh expressed their perspective on each Jew fulfilling his or her mission. They equated (on some level) the full day learning of the scholar, and the much more abridged Torah learning of the working person, as long as all are fulfilling their assignment (to do an honest day’s work) in Hashem’s world.

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Among the most touching blessings, is the blessing described as being given when scholars took leave of one another: “May you see your world in your lifetime.” Rashi explains that this means, “May you be provided for all that you need, throughout your life.” Another explanation is, “May you see the fulfillment of your life-goals and mission, during your life time.” Sometimes a person doesn’t get to see the success of their efforts during his or her lifetime. Indeed, the very awareness that one might not see the fruit of their labors during their lifetime, is inspirational. Sometimes we just have to “stay on track” anyway. But this blessing is that your should be blessed with the good fortune of seeing success.

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Rav Ashi expressed surprise regarding the people of the Babylonian city, Masa Michasya, whose local people were uninspired by the twice annual Rabbinic convention that took place in their city. He exclaimed, “They see the glory of Torah twice a year, and none of the people come to convert!”

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