What's My Story?

Daniel Jacoby	Ari Lowenstein	Shayna Jacoby	Hannah Otis	Jacob Weinger	Spencer Brasch

 

Jacob Weinger

Reading Rashi

The greatest sense of fulfillment did not come to me when I won the ICJA Bonnie Dayan a”h Art Competition. Nor did it come with that first "A" in Hebrew class. Rather, my most fulfilling, most accomplished moment of the Academy thus was the moment I realized I could read a Rashi by myself.

            Being able to read a Rashi may not be such an accomplishment by some standards. For those with a stronger background in Torah learning than myself, the ability to read a Rashi may go unappreciated. While I did attend a Jewish elementary school, my strength with Hebrew, and especially the coded script of Rashi, was not pronounced when I entered the Academy. However, as time progressed in my new environment, I found that my interest in yidishkite was nurtured and developed. Midway through freshman year I was able to pick up a Chumash and read a Rashi for the first time. By the end of the year, with little aid, I was able to translate Rashi's brilliant elucidations.

            I felt fulfillment in the sense of accomplishment in being able to read a Rashi. Here was a kid who had trouble reading Rashi script coming into high school, who could now read and translate the words. With this newfound ability, I could delve deeper into the beauty of the Torah than ever before. With that first Rashi read straight through, I realized that perhaps, one day soon, I’d be able to read a daf of Gemara without reserve. Perhaps I could finally read Messilat Yesharim in its original language and understand the weighted words of the Tanach without an Artscroll.

            With that accomplishment, I realized all my potential. I realized the potential evident in most people. All we need is a little push, perhaps from a place like the Academy, and pretty soon we could all be reading Rashis.