A true masmid

Our Parashah teaches us that the menorah should burn “before Hashem continually” (24:4). Rashi explains that it doesn’t mean that it should be burning 24/7; rather it must burn every night. Rabbi Shlomo Wolbe learns from here the true definition of a masmid, a diligent student. Not specifically one who never stops learning but one who is very consistent. (Alei Shur, vol 2 p. 322) Rashi (Mishlei 17:24) says it is the attitude of a fool to say, “the Torah is so vast, there’s no point even trying to learn it”. In contrast a wise person says, “I will learn a bit today and a bit tomorrow”; before he realizes, he will have studied a lot of Torah.