On the same page in the Gemara Yebamot 62b where the Talmud
discusses the lack of respect the great Peru Urvu (getting married and having
children) is from Kohelet. The Talmidim of Rabi Akiva acted with
eachother in a disrespectful manner which led to their death and on the same page there is a fundamental Pasuk (verse) from the Tanach that gives us
inspiration. The pasuk that the Gemara discusses is in regards to the Halacha of of Peru Urvu (getting married
and having children).
The Pasuk from says In the morning Sow your seed, and in the evening do not withhold your
hand for you know NOT which succeed… How powerful is this Pasuk!?
It is so beautiful to see a connection between two
completely different teachings of Torah when they appear in the same spot in
the Talmud! What can we learn from this? On one hand, the Gemara learns that
the obligation to bring children into the world should always continue whether
a man is old or young and on the other the Gemara brings down the famous story
that was discussed yesterday on theCLD regarding Sefirat Ha’Omer. The 24,000 students of
Rabi Akiva were supposed to be the foundation of all Torah for the future! They were the fire of Torah and Jewish Law forever. They were something this world did not
have the privilege to experience.
Their spirituality was off the charts but because they
lacked respect for one another they were all punished with death. After DECADES
of putting his entire life into these students, Rabi Akvia DID NOT GIVE UP! He
could have easily mourned their deaths and cried his face out for years. This
reminds me of my grandmother A’H who used to mourn my uncle who was murdered in
one of the Israeli wars, Hashem Yaazor.
It is known in the Talmud that a student of Torah is like a son, so in reality
it is as if Rabi Akiva lost 24,000 children! How does the story continue? Rabi
Akiva goes to the south of Israel and teaches five people who are the pillars
of Torah for the future and for today: Rabbi Meir, Rabbi Yehuda, Rabbi Yose, Rabbi Shimon and Rabbi
Elazar ben Shammua.
This teaches us for our entire life that we should NEVER put
down our motivation and excitement for a Mitzvah. Some Mitzvot take a mere 30
seconds to accomplish and some take 30 years to really complete. Don’t give up
and always remember at the end of the day there is more strength in you to
accomplish all the tasks Hashem wants us to take upon ourselves!
Judaism=Think.
Shabbat Shalom!
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