Rav Asher Arieli of Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim is a legend. A son of Rav Chaim Yaakov Arieli, author of Be 'er Yaakov, and a son‐in‐law of Rav Nochum Partzovitz, rosh yeshiva of Yeshivas Mir Yerushalayim, Rav Asher delivers what is believed to be one of the largest daily shiurim (Torah lectures) in the world, attended by hundreds.
His Torah knowledge and hasmadah (diligence in learning) are matched by his remarkable anavah (humility) and self‐effacement. In a moment of candor, a talmid once asked Rav Asher in what zechus he merited such a well‐received shiur and so many talmidim.
By all accounts, Rav Asher's shiurim are things of beauty, delivered with precision and comprised of masterful analyses and novella. Still, Hashem seems to have blessed Rav Asher with a shiur unlike almost any other in the world. What's the secret?
Rav Asher thought for a moment and, with utmost modesty, said, “I have wondered the very same thing. I have pondered this question of why Hashem gave me such a brachah (blessing). I believe the answer is as follows.
When I was a bachur, my friends and I, like all boys our age, received pocket money from our parents for expenses. The bachurim spent the money like others their age did. Some of it was saved up to buy additional sefarim, while in some cases it was used to buy food or even cigarettes... I, myself, decided to save my money to be used for taxis, so that I would not have to go on the public city bus, which would have exposed me to the sights and sounds of the street.
“Taking a taxi each time, I had to get around shielded me from viewing inappropriate things.”
“I believe,” said Rav Asher humbly, “that if I have a zechus to be blessed with such Torah wealth in the form of such a large number of talmidim and a shiur that is well received, it is in the merit of having safeguarded myself from those sights and influences in my youth.”
Reprinted from the Parshas Noach 5785 email of Chayeinu Weekly. Compiled by Tzvi Schultz.
