Rabbi's Desk

My father, David Suson, of blessed memory, loved three things deeply: bowling, his family and friends, and learning Torah. Potentially, in that order. I can only hope to be a fraction of the man he was in life, and perpetuate the legacy that he leaves. I have nothing to contribute to the world of bowling. But I can resolve to demonstrate love for my family, as he did, and learn as much as I can, in his memory.

Dad studied daf yomi, a method of learning talmud at the blinding speed of one daf (=page of talmud) per day. Every day for almost 20 years, he would attend a a class (virtually or in person) and completed the cycle (all 2711 double sided pages) nearly two times! 

At the conclusion of each tractate, a siyyum (=celebration of completion) is prepared. Since he was planning to be in town for Passover, the siyyumfor tractate Chulin would have taken place on the Fast of the Firstborn - the day before the first Seder. For the past several years, my father has completed a tractate in the presence of our HTAA morning minyan, thus requiring all in attendance (including firstborns) to take part in the celebratory meal. As a firstborn myself, I always appreciated that. 

In his memory, at rapid speed, I will study the Mishnah Chullin and complete the tractate in his memory on the Fast of the First Born, Friday, April 19th at 8:00 a.m. Please come and take part in the breakfast siyyum (especially if you are a bechor, like me).

Further, although I cannot commit to learning at daf yomi pace, with God’s help, I will be studying Tractate Berakhot in its entirety over the course of this year of mourning. I invite you to join me on this journey, to begin after Passover on Shabbat afternoons between Mincha & Maariv.

Our learning will honor his memory, and his legacy of loving and caring and growing will always remain a part of this world, by our efforts.
 
You still probably won’t see me at the bowling alley.

Shabbat Shalom & Purim Sameach!
Rabbi Suson