YOUNG Yisroel Yaakov was sitting in the beis midrash learning. He was haraving to understand the Gemara when he was approached by R’ Avraham Chaim Shur, otherwise known as the Toras Chaim, famed for his sefarim on Shas. The Toras Chaim was visibly disturbed, and Yisroel Yaakov was surprised as to why the Toras Chaim would be so distraught.
“As a young boy,” explained the Toras Chaim, “I’ve never been faced by a struggle to understand my learning. Everything came smoothly. I had a good head, and there wasn’t much room for toil. I’m distraught and very disturbed as to why I wasn’t given this privilege.”
This is a great lesson for all of us. If you sometimes feel frustrated that you weren’t given a head that remembers, or that you don’t understand everything the first time you learn it, remember that it’s a gift! The Toras Chaim envied such a capability. You can now toil knowing that your challenge gives Hashem that much more nachas. Keep it up!
