Bochurim, many, many, many of them continue to learn with enormous hasmadah all throughout the summer

An Inbox letter submitted to Mishpacha was too good to remain a letter. And so we decided to incorporate it as part of the Moment, because this section was designed for Moments like these.

Bochurim during bein hazmanim have been the subject of much debate in recent months, with Rabbi Yisroel Besser standing at the helm of the defense line as a modern-day Berditchiver Rav, seeing only the positive where others are tempted to criticize. I’m all for it. Bochurim need to unwind and that should be seen as a holy endeavor rather than a betrayal of their identity. But at the same time, there’s a point that I believe deserves to be made, and I happen to be uniquely positioned to express it.

True, bochurim are allowed to take a well-deserved break, and it’s no one’s job to claim otherwise. But here’s the thing. Some don’t. Bochurim, many, many, many of them continue to learn with enormous hasmadah all throughout the summer. And I strongly believe that they deserve an honorable mention as well.

I have no hesitations in making this claim. You see, I live in Phoenix, Arizona. Throngs of Yidden come here on summer vacation, among them many chaburos of yeshivah bochurim. They go on trips, of course, but their sidrei limud are nonnegotiable. For hours each morning, a scene much grander than any canyon stretches out within our shuls and batei medrash. And so I write this letter for two reasons. Firstly, because I think they too deserve to be part of the conversation. Secondly, to say thank you.

To the bochurim who come to our town and elevate the sun-drenched atmosphere with a kedushah that shines so much brighter, thank you. Thank you for what you’re doing for our city; thank you for what you’re doing for Klal Yisrael.

With the deepest hakaras hatov,

Yisrael Yaakov Tesser

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 927)