Profiles on Treasures -Putting it all Aside

Putting Everything Aside for Torah Yud Shevat, 5772

Reb Daniel [name changed] owns and directs a multimillion dollar company. He works long, hard hours each day and has very little time to spare.

Yet each morning after Davenning, even with the numerous pressing issues swimming through his mind, he often sits for a significant period of time and learns. He doesn't just learn; he becomes completely engrossed. Reb Daniel learns complicated meforshim, and will cover every possible angle of the topic. Even in his "free" time, such as while driving, he listens to shiurim.

While he is learning, all the worries and troubles of his business seem to disappear. There is but one thing that exists: Limmud HaTorah.

Daniel's learning doesn't remain in the realm of knowledge, but it is translated into action. He is a renowned Baal Tzedaka, a generous, kind and hospitable man, and he conducts his business and dealings with honesty and ehrlichkeit.

Reb Daniel's devotion to Torah brings to mind the story of one of the Miteler Rebbe's Chassidim who entered Yechidus and cried out that he is only able to spend an hour or two of his day learning, while the vast majority of his day is spent doing mundane work.

The Miteler Rebbe responded with a question. "If Yankel lives in Kiev, but spends most of the year buying and selling merchandise at the Leipzig market, where is he from?"

"Kiev," replied the Chossid.

"But why? Does he not spend most of his time in Leipzig?"

"Yes," said the Chossid, "but his heart lies in Kiev."

The Miteler Rebbe smiled and told the Chossid, "Even if the majority of one's day is not spent studying Torah, as long as one's heart and passion lies in Torah, that is where one's life is."

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