Wednesday, July 26, 2006

I've been starving...

I'm a perpetual student. If something exists, I want to know about it - why, how, where...everything that there is to know, I want to know. It's why when friends ask me what I want for a gift, I tell them to look at my Amazon Wish List (which has no fiction on it). It's why Harrius Potter et Philosophi Lapis was a very thoughtful (and well-used) gift, and why I'm up to Unit 5 in "Alif Baa," an Arabic textbook. It's why I'm going to graduate school...forever ;)

So in the past few years, I've been studying hard, learning lots, and generally getting good grades (Baruch Hashem! ;) ). And...I've been starving. I didn't realize it until recently, but I was gasping for air, for the slightest breath. Caught up in all my work and studies, I barely noticed the lack - but now that I have it back, my world is brighter!

It's Torah.

Sounds cliché , perhaps, but it's true. Earlier this summer, in a weak moment, I told someone that I would give a shiur for women. I'm still not so sure why she asked me, but she did, and I said yes - and so I have to face the consequences. I returned to my high school and seminary notes, scrounging for topics. I borrowed books from all over to research the material. And I'm still terrified for the speech. But I'm feeling so accomplished, so content. There's really something amazing about learning Torah - it changes you, it affects you.

And so when I sit down to my banquet of preparation, every night, I relish each word, each letter. And I hope I never forget this feeling again. Learning is wonderful, but learning Truth...there's nothing like it.

4 comments:

Keren Perles said...

I can't wait! (Okay, okay, I can.) Hatzlacha with the preparation. And yes, I think that a lot of us can relate to that "thirst" - especially when we're busy with school or work...

Natan said...

Saw the info on the shul bulletin...good luck!

TRW said...

Bubby and Stx - Thanks for the encouragement!

B"H, it went well (although the opening and closing went kinda flat..)

Aishel - Could you imagine? There I was, hoping nobody would come, and not only was it in the bulletin, but they announced it at the main minyan!

The nerve...

TRW said...

I should preface..."it all started in 3rd grade - even though I was before the powerpoint generation, I had this awesome teacher...;)"