"Every time I read from it, my soul is changed, my life is changed. I communicate with my Maker and become closer to Him" 

Imagine having to hide in a cave to learn Torah, leaning over the holy parchment scrolls in secret under threat of death. Today, seforim of every type and in every language surround us — from reprints of classic commentaries to user-friendly annotated sifrei kabbalah to the writings of modern talmidei chachamim. In honor of the endurance of the People of the Book for all these centuries, we asked prominent readers to name a sefer that has had a profound effect on them.

I began thinking about the many books I’ve read over the years that have impacted me, but I wasn’t satisfied. And then it hit me. The book that had the most impact on my life was the very first book that I read: Reishis Chochmah! It was a classic aleph-beis book used back then to teach children how to read, and it’s thanks to that book, without which I might have been illiterate, that I was able to read and study all the future books and seforim that affected my life.

Once I became proficient in Reishis Chochmah, I graduated to the siddur, which I still read every day, three times a day. And every time I read from it, my soul is changed, my life is changed. I communicate with my Maker and become closer to Him.

When I got a little older, I got a Chumash and began a lifelong study of that book, which every time I open, gives me new insights and understanding, improving and enhancing my life. Then came Gemara and the beginning of another lifelong pursuit. Oh, how that has changed my life. When I became a little more advanced, I began learning Gemara with Rashi — he became my best friend. And then I got new best friends: the Ritva, Rashba and Ramban. Sometimes it was tough to know what they were saying, but in the end, they helped me grasp the meaning of the Gemara, and nudged me along in my task of studying and comprehending Shas.

The Rambam became a dear friend. He explained things so succinctly and carefully, clarifying complicated discussions with simple, beautiful language. Later I learned that it wasn’t that simple, and began reading books such as the classic work on the Rambam written by Rav Chaim Soloveitchik, which revolutionized Torah scholarship.

What are my other favorite books? Oh, there are too many to list: The Ramban on Chumash opens vistas of knowledge. The Sfas Emes, in limited words, imparts limitless knowledge and feeling, heart and soul. The seforim of Kelm are eye-opening as are those of Rav Tzadok. I especially appreciate the newly published Tzidkas Hatzaddik, put out by Rav Dovid Abuchatzeira, which unlocks understanding of esoteric concepts and thoughts.

I discovered the Chovos Halevavos later in life, and reading it brings me a certain calmness and appreciation of everything good in my life, while Mesilas Yeshorim shows me how to treat others and how to live a fulfilled life.

The fascinating biography on the Imrei Emes¸entitled Rosh Golas Ariel, portrays his greatness in a way that tempted me to become a Gerrer chassid.

The book on the Ponevezher Rav, entitled Harav M’Ponevezh, portrays how much we can accomplish if we have faith and the right attitude. It firmly established the Rav as my hero.

Rabbi Yisroel Besser’s books on the Chasam Sofer and Reb Shayale Kerestirer were eye-opening into the greatness man can achieve on different levels and in different ways.

I am a voracious reader; reading the book Just Mercy after my involvement with Sholom Mordechai Rubashkin reinforced for me how we can speak truth to power and accomplish justice, if we care enough, and Saul Alinsky’s Rules for Radicals helped me understand how politicians, propagandists and revolutionaries advance their causes.

But after everything, I still believe the one book that made the greatest impact on me remains the very first one, Reishis Chochmah.

–RABBI PINCHOS LIPSCHUTZ, editor and publisher, Yated Neeman

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 839)