“RABBI’S MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh Parshas Kedoshim
2 Iyar 5784/ May 10, 2024 – 17th day of the Omer
Pirkei Avos – Perek 2
EVERY DROP
It’s a classic and beloved story. A forty-year-old shepherd viewed
himself as a complete failure. Completely ignorant of Torah knowledge, Akiva
didn’t even know how to read the aleph-beis and practically
despaired of ever being able to learn Torah.
But then one day while walking, Akiva noticed a steady drip of water upon
a rock. It was only a drip, but it was persistent and relentless. Akiva also
observed that the steady drip had made a hole in the rock. He then concluded
that if something as agile as water could carve a hole in solid rock with
persistence and patience, if he had that same persistence and patience, the
words of Torah – which are hard as iron – could eventually make an indelible
impression upon his heart. He began to learn and eventually became the great
Rabbi Akiva, one of our greatest leaders and key links in the transmission of
Torah (Avos d’Rabbi Nosson 6:2).
I have often thought that in our society, if it was anyone other than
Rabbi Akiva, such a story is highly unlikely to occur. Who has time or patience
to pay attention to a drip on a rock? Who has time to ponder the wonders of
nature at all? We are too busy ensuring our apps and social media posts are up
to date to notice the world out there.
I realized recently, however, that all hope is not lost. Even though we
may not recognize the impact of a drop of water from the mark it leaves on a
rock, we can recognize the impact of a drop of water from our water bill.
Surprisingly enough, a persistent and consistent leaky faucet can drive up a
water bill. Who would think that a small drop could make such a difference?
(ask me how I know!) That’s something most of us would indeed notice despite
how busy we are.
Rabbi Avrohom Yachnes is one of the esteemed Rebbeim at Camp Dora Golding
that I have the pleasure of spending my summers with. I always enjoy his
insights and wisdom. A few summers ago, Rabbi Yachnes repeated an idea he heard
from Rabbi Yosef Elefant. Rabbi Elefant related the aforementioned story with
Rabbi Akiva and the rock, and then added the following observation:
Let’s assume we were somehow able to guesstimate exactly how much water
fell on that exact spot of Rabbi Akiva’s rock over the years. If we were to
then pour that amount of water on the rock at one time, would it cause a hole?
Likely not. It wasn’t the magnitude of water that caused the hole, but rather
it was the result of the process. Each individual drop didn’t appear to
accomplish anything. But the reality was that it was creating an imperceptible
impression all along.
Rabbi Akiva realized that if he too stayed the course and had patience
for the process eventually Torah would penetrate within him as well.
Rabbi Yachnes then related that decades earlier he had a classmate who
was a grandson of Rabbi Yaakov Kamenstsky. The grandson recounted one occasion
when Reb Yaakov came to visit him in yeshiva. When the grandson began leading
him towards the Yeshiva, Reb Yaakov asked him where they were going. The
grandson replied that he assumed Reb Yaakov wanted to see the Beis Medrash. Reb
Yaakov countered that he actually wanted to go to his grandson’s dorm room.
After Reb Yaakov assessed the room and was satisfied with its
orderliness, he told his grandson he had a gift for him and handed him a
package. The grandson opened it to find a small plant, not a typical gift given
to yeshiva students.
Reb Yaakov told his grandson that he wanted them to both stare at the
plant. After about 30 seconds, Reb Yaakov asked his grandson if he saw the
plant grow. When the grandson replied that he didn’t see anything happen, Reb
Yaakov suggested that they watch for a little longer. After a couple of minutes
of monotonous watching, Reb Yaakov again asked his grandson if he saw the plant
grow. When the grandson admitted that he didn’t, Reb Yaakov remarked that the
reality is that it had grown even if they couldn’t see it.
Reb Yaakov then told his grandson that he wanted him to keep the plant on
the windowsill above his bed. Reb Yaakov suggested that every night as he was
getting into bed, his grandson should look at the plant and remember that it
had grown that day even if it didn’t seem that way. Particularly on days when
he didn’t feel he had been successful in his learning and was feeling down on
himself, looking at the plant would remind him that there’s always growth
occurring even when it may not be apparent.
The world celebrates completion and grandiosity. True greatness is borne
from consistency and relentless effort that may never receive the adulation it
deserves. The path to greatness also requires that one notice and appreciate
every drop of growth.
Shabbat Shalom
& Good Shabbos,
R’ Dani and
Chani Staum
stamtorah@gmail.com
