Power

What was my first impression of Yarchei Kallah? Power. Power rising from every angle and through every living soul on the trip. The introduction speech was absolutely unbelievable. It fulfilled the one true goal of a speech. The one true reason as to why speeches are given. Motivation. I know I was not alone when I felt the power of those words rushing through my blood straight to my heart. I know I was not alone when at that moment, I wanted more. I wanted to learn. Education can never be forced. One will never learn if he does not have the motivation to learn. That is why the introduction speech was unbelievable. It gave us young adults that very desire and motivation that is required to truly learn. When I saw that motivation shine in all of our eyes, I knew that something very powerful was about to rise.

As we were split up into groups of about five, that motivation and power were put to use. I sat down at a table with my brilliant rabbi, Arieh Friedner, and four young, motivated men. We did not talk about why one should pray. We did not talk about why one should keep kosher. We were yelling at each other, arguing over Jewish values! That is true learning! Not five boys listening to a rabbi talk about his beliefs. True learning requires arguments. True learning requires disagreement. We had six men, putting our heads together and thinking as hard as we possibly could. Digging into our brains to find answers. I have never experienced such learning. What I experienced today put my public school to shame. Sitting in a classroom listening to a lecture, being forced to believe what our teachers want us to believe. Real learning requires that headache. Real learning requires those men pulling everything they have together and using their knowledge to find greater wisdom.

 

David Slain, Junior at Beachwood High School