The Enlightenment of Rabbi Akiva
Inspiration: Rabbi Akiva began to study Torah when he was forty years old. Yet after several months of intense learning, he felt little progress towards self-improvement. As as result, he left his studies. Subsequently, while sitting near a well to contemplate his future, he noticed that water erosion had made a hole in a stone. Rabbi Akiva had a life-changing insight. He realized that "if soft water can penetrate hard rock, surely Torah, which is as solid as iron, will penetrate a soft human heart made of flesh and blood." The power of this realization inspired him to return to his Torah study and propelled him to be one of the greatest Torah scholars in history!
Lesson: Just as the daily carving of erosion cannot be grasped by our senses, so too, the day to day impact of Torah progress and elevation is imperceptible. Nevertheless, every word of Torah actively and absolutely rectifies and sanctifies our being.
Visualization: Visualize Rabbi Akiva sitting next to the well and observing the hole in the rock, carved by the constant flow of water. Imagine the enlightenment that filled his soul when he realized the parallel between the process of erosion and the certainty of the healing power of each and every word of Torah. Be fully encouraged in knowing that each word of Torah that you learn imparts light, joy, and holiness to your body and soul.
(Based on Ohr Yisrael, Rav Yisrael Salanter, Chapter Thirty) |
L"N Rav Yochanon Mordecai Ben Ephraim and Moras Esther Leach bas Yehudah
Refuah Shleimah
Yochanon Baruch ben Fruma Ettta
Leiba Zlota bas Chana |
