The Lesson of Brisk – Recognizing the Real Truth

When we were young, we were all hyped up about learning in Brisk – as if that was the only place one can learn in Eretz Yisroel. I must admit that I too suffered from that disease, may it quickly be eradicated from our midst. Although generally I regret my time spent there, there was one important takeaway that I internalized and remains with me to this day.

Today is Lag Ba’Omer, a day that carries much significance if you are Chassidish or Sefardi. If you take a look at Shulchan Aruch, it is brought down as the day that Rabbi Akiva’s talmidim stopped dying. The Rambam doesn’t mention it even once. But for the chassidim and sefardim, today is a very important day on the calendar. Traveling to Meron is almost mandatory. And you know what? The disease is infectious. Even ordinary non-chassidim become carried away with the spirit and get swept away by all the hoopla.

Brisk taught us to cut through the fog and noise – to focus on the essense of being a Yid. Hashem taught Torah to Moshe on Har Sinai and that is all that is important, nothing more and nothing less. Lag Baomer just doesn’t make the cut, and thus it is not more special of a day besides for not reciting tachanun and that weddings are permitted.

In order to be able to focus on the important decisions in life, one must be able to cut through the fog and see the choices clearly. If there is a lot of noise, a lot of misconception, public opinion that is not based on reality but rather on peoples’ ignorance, it becomes hard to see clearly. The choices become distorted, and it is difficult, if not impossible, to make an honest assesment.

Learn from Brisk – cut through the fog and zero in on the essence of the matter. When deciding what to do with your life, don’t be sidetracked by the whims of others – even if they are just about everyone you know. You can choose a better way for yourself and your family, as long as you keep to the important lesson you were taught back in Brsk.

The Lesson of Brisk – Recognizing the Real Truth

Filed Under: Deciding to Leave

Tags: brisk • chassidim • lag baomer • sefardi • soloveitchik