“The essence of learning is teaching oneself.” (Zichron Meir)

“And you shall fashion two golden keruvim...” (Shemos 25:18)

Rashi explains that the keruvim were fashioned with the countenance of infants. The Master of the World created the world and all within it — the thousands and millions of creatures and creations angels seraphim ... yet He did not find a greater creation from which to speak to His nation Yisrael [than the image of an infant’s face]? (Rav DovMeir Rubman  Zichron Meir)

Baby. Wide innocent eyes delicious gurgle exploring everything — from the soil of the houseplant to the markers his sister is still using. He discovers the button on the computer the delightful beep when he presses it.… As he develops from tiny helpless newborn to bright miniature mischief-maker he makes a thousand discoveries about the world we live in.

It is possible that the Torah is coming to teach that HaKadosh Baruch Hu loves learning and the keruvim are k’ravya the symbol of one who learns on his own as he sees how much he lacks and must still acquire. And this is the Baal HaTurim’s elucidation of the verse “Ki naar Yisrael — for Yisrael is a young boy.” He knows that he is still a child and thus Hashem loves [Bnei Yisrael] despite their sins and iniquities and grants them atonement as [a child] will yet come to learn and understand his error and regret it.

Frustration often visits without invitation; Failure its friend and companion tags along. Occasionally they invite Mrs. Wrong and Ms. Bitter as well. “Wrong again!” they chorus. “Too little too late.” Or “You thought your kid had one problem but really the problem was something else.” “You were sure you’d manage on your own.” They scorn me highlighting my every fault.

And all you can say is “I’ll do better next time. I promise.” Ha! When will you ever learn?

Never.

Throughout Shas our rabbanim are called talmidei chachamim — students of wise ones not chachamim — wise ones. Their greatness stems from their constant striving. The essence of true knowledge is to know that we will never know.... The essence of wisdom is the desire to learn.

The essence of wisdom is the desire to learn. I’m not a first-time mother. Far from it. Yet every child teaches me entirely new things about myself and the world. I am not a newlywed nor a new neighbor nor a first-time teacher. I admit to knowing myself for quite some time now. Still every day that passes brings along new knowledge new understanding new lessons in life from places inside me and from people around me.

Should I feel insecure that my mind and the notebook of my life are still filled with empty pages? Should I feel inferior that I have yet to finish my schooling?

Chazal teach of the verse “And he [Shlomo HaMelech] was wiser than every man — even from fools.” The entire world was an open book and he learned from every creation. He even was able to glean knowledge from fools; and this encapsulated the essence of his greatness and wisdom.

Knowledge is a lofty ideal. Daily progress is in itself a finishing line. And it is the greatest wish and promise that I’ll be a better person tomorrow than I was today a better person next year than I was this year.

It is man’s obligation to rise and complete himself. If a person does not climb he falls; for it is not man’s nature to remain stagnant.... He must constantly progress from one level to the next. This is [the explanation of the words] ‘The way of life is upward’ so he does not plummet to the depths.

It’s a good thing that I don’t know everything that I still have teachers and lessons guiding me along the path of life. It’s a good thing that I still have a way to go on the path that ascends higher and higher to the summit. How wonderful it is to continue climbing each and every day striving anew.

And just as a child matures physically into an adolescent and an adolescent to an adult ... so too the soul must grow and complete itself each and every day each week each month each year.

Here I am poised on a path of knowledge and growth. Life continually expands my horizons and the view is breathtaking.