Elul 6/August 19

Rabbi Stephen Wise

For those in the Daf Yomi cycle, we are studying Tractate Chullin, which focuses largely on ritual slaughter and can sometimes be a bit difficult to digest. But every so often we come across a real gem.

On Chullin 49a, Rava comments on how his son was able to help resolve a difficult question regarding the kashrut of an animal based on perforations in its lung. Proudly, he declares: "My son is as wise in matters of tereifot as Rabbi Yohanan." It is a wonderful parental moment—his son is able to solve a problem that has challenged others, and Rabbi Rachel Greengrass notes that Rava "takes great pride in his accomplishment."

This passage resonated with me this week. My son recently graduated from college and surprised me by accepting a position as Youth Director at Temple Sinai in Toronto after completing a degree in Media, Information and Technoculture. I am immensely proud.

There is something deeply gratifying about watching our children discover their own paths, often in ways we never anticipated. Perhaps that is what Rava was feeling when he praised his son. The greatest measure of leadership, teaching, and parenting may not be what we accomplish ourselves, but what we inspire in the next generation. When our children and students find their place in the world and use their gifts to serve others, we experience one of life's greatest blessings: the joy of seeing the seeds we planted take root and flourish in ways beyond our imagination.