By Yoni Schwartz
Years ago, many people gathered outside the apartment of Rabbi Elazar Shach, ZT”L, having come from across the country to discuss important matters with him. While Rav Shach was learning in his study before the meeting, a young boy somehow slipped past everyone and ran into his room.
“Rebbe! I have no geshmak (excitement) in my learning. I learn all day and try as hard as I can, but I just don’t grasp what’s going on. What should I do?” he asked.
Rav Shach told him to sit and asked which masechta he was learning.
“Bava Metzia,” the boy answered. Rav Shach took out two Gemaras and began learning with him. After going through the sugya once, Rav Shach asked, “Do you understand?”
The boy said no. “Let’s go through it again,” Rav Shach said, and they learned it again. Fifteen, thirty, forty-five minutes went by, and everyone outside was growing increasingly impatient.
After their third round of going through the Gemara, the boy suddenly exclaimed with tears rolling down his cheeks, “Rebbe, I understand!” He jumped with his face glowing and ran out smiling.
Later, Rav Shach’s assistant asked why he had delayed such important meetings to tutor one boy. Rav Shach replied, “This wasn’t just about understanding a sugya. It was about his relationship with Torah. Someone who doesn’t find a geshmak in learning Torah will look for it in other places. This was about the boy’s entire future.”
Reprinted from the Sukkos 5787 email of Torah Sweets