Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld What Might Help Strengthen and Steady Us?

Dear friends,

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about the Talmudic story of the proselyte — the ger — who approaches Hillel and Shammai and says, “Teach me the entire Torah while I’m standing on one foot.”

At first glance, it’s an outrageous, even impudent request. But Rabbi Menacem Mendel of Vitebsk has a different reading of this encounter — one that I love.

He invites us to listen to what’s behind the rushed request. In his commentary, Menachem Mendel of Vitebsk suggests that what the ger is really asking is, “Teach me Torah that will keep me from toppling over.” Teach me Torah that will enable me to keep standing when life destabilizes me and threatens to blow me over.

These days, I suspect a lot of us can relate to that ger. In these tumultuous times, many of us are feeling a little wobbly. What might help strengthen and steady us?

These days, I suspect a lot of us can relate to that ger. In these tumultuous times, many of us are feeling a little wobbly. What might help strengthen and steady us?

Here is Hillel’s answer from more than two thousand years ago:

First — “Think about what is hateful to you and try not to do that to others.” You’re not alone. Look around you and pay attention to the needs of others, who may be feeling a little wobbly beside you. Try to be kind.

Second — “Go and learn.” There is no one answer to cling to, but the story of this moment is not the whole story. Tether yourself to a life of Torah. Touch what is timeless and eternal. Keep learning, and you will be steadied by the discovery that you are part of a larger story that connects you to generations past and future, and to those searching alongside you.

At Hebrew College, we’re sticking with the ancient wisdom of Hillel, as we work every day to put learning and lovingkindness at the center of Jewish life. Join us, study with us (consider taking a Tamid course this summer), support us, and help make rich Jewish learning and community available to all with a gift to Hebrew College by June 30.

Thank you for helping us continue to bring Hillel’s wisdom to life.

Have a wonderful summer,

Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld
President, Hebrew College

Rabbi Sharon Cohen Anisfeld has been president of Hebrew College since 2018. She previously served as Dean of the Rabbinical School of Hebrew College for 11 years. Rabbi Anisfeld graduated from the Reconstructionist Rabbinical College in 1990 and subsequently spent 15 years working in pluralistic settings as a Hillel rabbi at Tufts University, Yale University, and Harvard University. She is co-editor of two volumes of women’s writings on Passover, The Women’s Seder Sourcebook: Rituals and Readings for Use at the Passover Seder and The Women’s Passover Companion: Women’s Reflections on the Festival of Freedom.

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