Friday, September 7, 2007

Starting Yeshiva All Over Again

It’s been quite interesting starting back at something that I did a year ago. I decided to go back to my yeshiva, in Jerusalem, mainly because it is something I know. I know people, I know the place, I know the life here. That isn’t to say I am enjoying it (100% serious stuff 100% of the time… that makes me very tired, but you learn a lot of stuff). But, it is a comfortable place, generally.

I was wondering for a while who would still be here, how different they would be, etc. The majority of guys that I remember are still around, still trying to become more and more religious. A couple guys are married, some with kids, another recently engaged. Most of these guys were wearing jeans and t-shirts when I knew them. Now, they are in black pants and white dress shirts, beards, tzitzit, and a few with peyos, the sidelocks that traditional Jews wear (just imagine the NYC religious Jew). It is eerie, because I knew these guys, and now I don’t. They aren’t brainwashed, don’t get the wrong idea, it’s just that they really believe in what they are doing. Sometimes I wish I had the same motivation to believe something so strongly.

Today I met with a rabbi to see if I wanted to join the intermediate program. There are a few levels of study, from low to high, and this one is just as it says, intermediate. It’s a long and hectic day, and after a 20 minute meeting I wanted to go to sleep. Actually, I went back to my room and took a nap.

Let’s see how many classes I skip before having to explain that I like to study alone (a generally unappreciated practice in yeshiva).

1 comment:

Unknown said...

I can't believe you're actually in Israel! I hope you have an amazing time learning and growing and serving. Also, a belated happy new year!