HEAVY PACK, NO SLEEP, GESHMAK!
Before our father Yaakov passes, he blesses his 12 sons, each one with their unique blessing that fits their destiny. To Yissocher he says “Yissocher is a large bone donkey (able to carry heavy loads) and rests between the boundaries (along the road with the loads on his back). And he sees that tranquility is good and lowers his shoulder to take on more burden.”
Yaakov’s portrayal of Yissocher is that of a donkey who is perpetually carrying a load even when he lays down to sleep. He is always transporting and does not sleep in his barn but rather on the road with his load on his back. At the same time Yaakov tells us that Yissocher appreciates how good tranquility is and continues to lower his shoulder to take on more load. If he appreciates the goodness of tranquility why then does he take on more load? Should he not take a break if that is good?
Our Sages teach us that the load which Yissocher carries is the Torah that he studies. His studying of Torah is not a passing activity but it is a load which he carries with him wherever he goes. Yissocher is the talmid chocham, the Torah scholar, who toils day and night in growing and deepening his understanding of Torah. He sleeps a few hours and is consumed by his studies. He will not walk four cubits without being engrossed in Torah study.
If so, how do we explain “he sees tranquility is good and lowers his shoulder to take on more”? If Yissocher’s burden of Torah study is so overwhelming where is the tranquility?
While we might define tranquility as peaceful and not having to do heavy labor, nevertheless, it is more correctly associated with being calm and serene. Even if one is involved in heavy labor he may very well be described as tranquil.
As a child, I remember taking note of how those people who are heavily involved in Torah study were the happiest people. There is a special serenity you will find on the face of Torah scholars. In spite of their incredibly difficult schedules and short periods of sleep, they are people whose tranquility is palpable.
The context of Yaakov’s blessing seems to indicate that it is specifically the burden of Torah which brings tranquility. Yaakov says that ‘Yissocher sees that tranquility is good so he lowers his shoulder to take on more’. How does that work?
The Torah is the Word of HaShem. When one studies Torah, they are engaging in His Word. Studying Torah is actually an experience of communicating with HaShem. The soul of every Jew comes directly from HaShem and yearns to be in His Presence. There is nothing more comforting and nothing more exhilarating for a Jew’s soul than to be in communication with Him. The more one takes on, and the more consuming his Torah study is, the greater his experience will be. The heavier the load the greater the joy. The absolute ecstasy one experiences when he suddenly understands a piece of Gemara that he was struggling with is a taste of Heaven! All of life’s problems suddenly fade! When that bolt of clarity strikes his whole life is filled with light!
Have a very safe and very wonderful Shabbos.
Paysach Diskind