Rabbi David Lau Challenges Yeshiva Students to Complete Talmudic Tractate

Eighty students at a high school yeshiva in Dimona have committed to completing an entire Talmudic tractate with the commentary of Rashi, following a challenge issued by Rabbi David Lau. Eight of these students have undertaken an even greater challenge: to study the entire tractate with the Gemara, Rashi, and Tosafot commentaries.

The initiative began during a meeting with Rabbi Lau, the Sephardic Chief Rabbi of Israel, who urged the students to aim higher than their usual study regimen. The yeshiva's head informed Rabbi Lau that students typically study eight pages of a tractate per year and that a special all-day study session was planned for the upcoming Purim holiday.

Rabbi Lau, however, encouraged them to achieve more. "I want more from you than this. You are capable of much more," he told the students. "One day of Torah study is very important, and eight pages in a tractate are very important, but you are capable of completing the entire tractate. Who will raise their hand and commit to studying the entire tractate?"

His words inspired a significant response, with 80 students agreeing to the challenge of finishing a tractate with Rashi's commentary. An additional eight students decided to delve deeper, committing to study the entire tractate with Gemara, Rashi, and Tosafot. Rabbi Lau also promised special certificates of recognition for those who complete the tractate, with a separate, more distinguished honor for those who also finish with Tosafot, to be awarded at a celebratory event.