Before the Pnei Menachem became the Gerer Rebbe, he gave advise to a Chasan to accept upon himself a routine, that every evening when he comes home, the first thing he should do is pick up a Gemara from the Shas he received from his father-in-law, and learn one Amud, one side of a page. It was not that he should simply learn an Amud of Gemara each night, but that he should learn it specifically when he arrives at home. The Chasan agreed.
Years later, one Chol HaMo’eid Succos, this young man was in line with his three sons to greet the Pnei Menachem, and wish him “A Gut Mo’eid”. The Rebbe asked him, if possible, to return after Simchas Torah. When he returned, the Rebbe asked him for the names of his three sons, and asked how the oldest boy was progressing in his Torah studies and Yiras Shamayim.
The father replied that Baruch Hashem, he was doing very well, and he was a true source of Nachas for them. The Rebbe then inquired, “What about the other two? How are they doing?”
The young man replied, “They are not doing as well as the first one.” The Rebbe asked him if he was still learning an Amud of Gemara each night when he got home, and the man said that after the birth of his second son, it was too difficult for him to continue doing that practice, and he had stopped.
The Pnei Menachem said, “Your oldest son was born during the time when you were strengthening the Torah in your home every night, while the others were born after you had given it up. That is why there is a difference in your children. However, Im Yirtzeh Hashem, you will still have more children. If you accept to learn the Amud of Gemara each night again, and you will see that you will have good children!”
Reprinted from the Bereishis 5785 email of Rabbi Yehuda Winzelberg’s Torah U’Tefilah.
