Torah, Judaism and Jewish Networking
THE HADRAN
We are about to complete Mesechta Nedarim in Daf Yomi. When one studies the Talmud, he is not simply reading a manuscript. He is actually developing a relationship with a friend. The Mesechta that he is learning is a world unto itself. When HaRav Aharon Kotler, ZTL, asked the Chafetz Chaim, ZTL, if he should change mesechtot at the end of a semester, the Chafetz Chaim told him that he should first complete one, then begin another. He should not jump from mesechta to mesecheta. In other words, this is not how one should treat a relationship because a mesechta is real.
One can talk to a mesechta like he converses with a person. Just because we do not see its tangibility does not mean that it does not exist. If I remember correctly, I think it is mentioned in Chagiga that a mesechta once attended a funeral in the form of a person.
You may know that you have to kiss a gemara but how do you kiss a gemara? The correct way is to look it up and learn it well and talk about it. That is how you kiss a gemara. The gemara becomes so pleased and happy that it becomes your friend. The Hadran, which is the prayer said at the completion of a gemara, demonstrates how a gemara becomes a person's friend. We "promise" the gemara, "Lo nitnashay minach" (We will not forget you). Then we ask the gemara, "Lo titnashay minan" (Do not forget us!") That is a true relationship. That is reality. We endure and the gemara endures. Our beloved gemara will not forget us in This World nor in the World to Come.
In the merit of our desire to learn, the Torah itself will long to return to us. The word HADRAN is derived from the word HADAR, to return. In Bava Metzia 88a it says that the Torah returns to its inn, meaning, the place or people where it was made welcome. Learning Torah is priceless. MICHAEL PLASKOW, Netanya.
One can talk to a mesechta like he converses with a person. Just because we do not see its tangibility does not mean that it does not exist. If I remember correctly, I think it is mentioned in Chagiga that a mesechta once attended a funeral in the form of a person.
You may know that you have to kiss a gemara but how do you kiss a gemara? The correct way is to look it up and learn it well and talk about it. That is how you kiss a gemara. The gemara becomes so pleased and happy that it becomes your friend. The Hadran, which is the prayer said at the completion of a gemara, demonstrates how a gemara becomes a person's friend. We "promise" the gemara, "Lo nitnashay minach" (We will not forget you). Then we ask the gemara, "Lo titnashay minan" (Do not forget us!") That is a true relationship. That is reality. We endure and the gemara endures. Our beloved gemara will not forget us in This World nor in the World to Come.
In the merit of our desire to learn, the Torah itself will long to return to us. The word HADRAN is derived from the word HADAR, to return. In Bava Metzia 88a it says that the Torah returns to its inn, meaning, the place or people where it was made welcome. Learning Torah is priceless. MICHAEL PLASKOW, Netanya.
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