The bochurim who showed him that, even under difficult circumstances, Torah learning must go on

It’s not unusual for yeshivos to honor dedicated lay leaders or donors, but last week’s tribute was a bit different than usual — the crowd consisted not of parents, but of students in Yeshiva Darchei Torah in Far Rockaway. Boys from the ninth grade through the beis medrash gathered to honor Dr. Daniel Berman, a distinguished epidemiologist/infectious disease specialist, while the hanhalah presented him a simple plaque.

Because through months of COVID, it was this doctor, himself a sincere, committed ben Torah, who guided the rosh yeshivah and hanhalah, whose cell phone and precious few private hours belonged to the yeshivah world, whose advice was respected and cherished by rabbanim from all over.

And rather than accept the thanks, Dr. Berman offered thanks of his own, gratitude to the bochurim who showed him that, even under difficult circumstances, Torah learning must go on.

(Originally featured in Mishpacha, Issue 861)