Self-Sacrifice

What was the philosophy behind the formation of Dirshu, this innovative, new approach to strengthening the Torah connection in so many different types of people and ways? What is the common thread that ties these diverse programs together? This question was put recently to Rav Dovid Hofstedter, founder of Dirshu.

“It was related to me recently the story of a man who approached the Chazon Ish zt”l for advice. The man desired to do a special mitzvah for the neshama of a parent and was considering founding a gemach. The Chazon Ish conceded that people would benefit from the free-loan fund and the z’chus would be great. The Chazon Ish, however, had a better suggestion. ‘Find a boy in the local Yeshiva,’ he said. ‘Study with him and guide him until you have instilled in him a love for learning. He will become a better Jew, as will his children and descendants until the end of time. This way the merit you have created will flourish in perpetuity. There is no greater z’chus’

“For many years I have been interested in the furtherance of Torah study – in the Yeshivos and amongst balebatim. The difficulty I had, however, was finding the right method to deliver the chizuk that people need. After consulting with many Gedolei Torah an answer became clear to me. The power of mesirus nefesh, to selflessly accomplish great deeds, lies within every individual. Few, however, are disciplined enough to bring that mesirus nefesh to fruition. All that is needed is an incentive, a framework and the z’chus horabim, the merit of the many, and that power can be realized. Dirshu provides the accountability, the framework and the z’chus horabim to enable many people to fulfill their true desires of Torah study.

“Perhaps more than ever before, people today are in need of chizuk. Dirshu provides chizuk, whether by means of the testing, the consistency, the group spirit, or the incentives attached. People truly desire a strong commitment to Torah; nobody would wake up so early to learn for an incentive alone. An incentive simply appeases one’s yetzer horah, making it easier to overcome the obstacles that stand between ourselves and our goals. In a personal vein, I am naturally very involved in the learning that happens here. And I can say with certainty that never before in my life have I witnessed this degree of intensity in learning!

“Since the program’s inception we have constantly seen a great deal of siyata d’shmaya. Dirshu’s success is clearly a result of help from above. This is the factor that enables us to consistently surpass our expectations. The reaction we receive when Dirshu opens in a new community is usually ‘Boruch Hashem! This is just what we were waiting for!’ I feel privileged to be involved in this work helping like-minded mevakshim to achieve their goals.”