Daf Hayomi is a wonderful example of a modern innovation
within the Jewish religion. It shows that there is room for
new initiatives, that the Torah community can come up with
things that are genuinely new even while remaining strictly
within the bounds of the Torah.
Rather than tearing down time-honored practices as so many
illegitimate innovators did, the Daf Yomi innovates by
building up the genuine Jewish tradition. It strengthens
limud haTorah, the great unifying treasure of the
Jewish people. Moreover, the personal discipline from the
rigorous schedule, and the knowledge acquired from the
content of the 2,711 dapim (folio pages) that are
studied, are quintessentially Jewish goals that stand proudly
against the flow of modern society rather than pander to the
latest fad as so much else of what passes for innovation
does. Of course, we do not value innovation for its own sake,
but that should not stop us from pointing it out when it
happens.
The way it is being observed and celebrated takes full
advantage of what modern technology has to offer. Though we
reject the social and cultural messages of modern society, we
have no problem with its technology. There will be satellite
broadcasts and video feeds all over, in order to bring
lomdei Torah from all over the world together for the
completion of this wonderful achievement. (Note: Our
publication schedule requires us to go to press before most
of the events this week take place.)
The American Siyum HaShas, by far the single largest
siyum, is expected to bring together some 120,000
participants, most of them in America but with important
hookups elsewhere such as Central and South America,
Australia, and Eastern Europe. The largest Israeli
siyum in Yad Eliahu stadium in Tel Aviv is expected to
draw upwards of 15,000. Dozens of independent siyumim
all over Israel and throughout the world, from the United
Kingdom, to South Africa, to Australia and numerous locations
in between, have already brought together thousands more.
Although the celebration itself is very public in that tens
of thousands are participating, it does not celebrate
specific individual "celebrities." The gedolei Torah
who are participating are certainly giving more to the
audience with their words and their presence than what they
are getting. (They are not being paid to come.)
What is celebrated is very personal — again a sharp
difference from contemporary values. The achievement of
having studied the 2,711 folio pages is a private one. The
successful student, of whatever age, will have fulfilled the
words of Mishlei (3:3): "Write them upon the tablet of
your heart." He will have absorbed the wisdom of the Talmud
and made it a part of himself. This is not an achievement
that is detectable from the outside, though it is patently
clear to the Giver of the Torah.
This is the end of a seven-year effort but also the beginning
— or better the continuation — of a lifelong
task: to generally serve Hashem and specifically to learn and
promote Torah learning. The thousands who are celebrating
their personal achievement of completing the cycle are
certainly not going to sit back and rest on their laurels.
There are no short cuts. "If you have learned a lot of Torah,
do not pat yourself on the back — for that is why you
were created" (Ovos 2:8). One will not stop, but
continue. The siyum is a way-station. One must
continue to study daily.
Along with the inspiration and encouragement of the
siyum let us also hope and pray that it will bring a
tremendous increase in kovod Shomayim that will
prevail not only on that day alone, but in all the years to
come, ad bi'as Goel Tzedek, bimheiroh beyomeinu.
