Day 44: לּוֹמֵד עַל מְנָת לְלַמֵּד / Learning in order to teach
Interestingly, our entire list does not mention the concept of תורה לשמה, what we often translate as learning for its own sake. I won't defend the omission, but I'll note that our project has consistently rejected learning in a vacuum, instead pushing us to experience our growth and learning in partnership and in community. Perhaps we need that push now more than ever.
Our growth is measured both in how we conduct ourselves in the world, but also in the growth we inspire and facilitate in others. Today we remember that no matter how much we have been shaped and guided by our teachers and mentors, our growth is not complete until we teach it forward.
The Talmud teaches, "When a Torah scholar spreads their knowledge, matters that are generally hidden from them are revealed to them" (Avodah Zarah 35b). Not only do we cheat others when we don't teach forward our wisdom, we also cheapen our own learning by ignoring the Rabbinic maxim, "From my students I have learned the most" (Taanit 7a).
Reflection:
What role should תורה לשמה play in our journey of growth?
How do we focus on our learning when we're already thinking ahead to passing the information on?
Lived practice:
Reach out to someone and share with them something you learned this past week. Ask them what they think about it.
