"Rav Pappa had many sons, and yet he still managed to find time to learn"

“Why do we mention Rav Pappa and his children at the hadran? Perhaps the answer is to teach us that Rav Pappa had many sons, and yet he still managed to find time to learn, becoming the great talmid chacham.”

— Rav Yaakov Hillel

At a recent siyum held in Yerushalayim, Rav Hillel commented on the string of “Bar Pappas,” listed in the Hadran recited upon completing a masechta. Many commentators provide explanations for this enigmatic recitation, and Rav Hillel offered a novel idea of his own. Upon completing a masechta and setting out to begin a new one, the multiple responsibilities of daily life may make the road ahead seem daunting. Learn from Rav Pappa,  Rav Hillel exhorted. He had ten sons, along with all the responsibility that entails, and still managed to become the great Amora that he was.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 915)