Starting this Wednesday, I have the honor of continuing in Rabbi Yoshi’s footsteps and leading our weekly Talmud Study. I’d love for you all to join me!
In case you can’t, or don’t, I’ll be sharing some favorite Talmud texts on learning—maybe they’ll inspire you to jump in, with me or any of our other wonderful learning opportunities.
Those of you who joined me yesterday for our Talmud study got to learn a favorite text of mine—one which is funny at times, but also deeply challenging in terms of the vision and conversation about leadership and the transition of power. And, as always, our conversation too was funny and (hopefully) challenging. That is, to me (and to the ancient rabbis) the goal of Torah study, and the real goal of doing it together.
We turn once more to the Talmud, this time to Tractate Ta’anit, and we learn:
Rabbi Ḥama, son of Rabbi Ḥanina, said: What is the meaning of that which is written: “Iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend” (Proverbs 27:17)? This verse comes to tell you that just as with these iron implements, one sharpens the other when they are rubbed against each other, so too, when Torah scholars study together, they sharpen one another …
This image, iron sharpening iron, is one of the best known images for what it means to be a learning partner with and for someone. It is the experience you have perhaps had with a colleague, a tennis partner, a golf buddy—the person whose work, practice regimen, or talent makes you want to be better, to learn more, to improve your swing. We need those in our lives—personal, professional, and spiritual. Maybe on November 30 (our next Talmud class!), you’ll log on and be that partner for me and your fellow congregants?
—Rabbi Sari Laufer