The story of a 12-year-old who astonished thousands of learners at the “Mercaz HaDaf HaYomi” (MDY): in less than a year, Yosef Shalom Gagula, age 12, claimed the top prizes in the national raffles—twice. Once, $1,000; and the second time, the prestigious MDY learning tablet.
Yosef Shalom Gagula’s journey began several months ago when he joined Rabbi Eli Stefansky’s Daf Yomi shiurim. After intensive study and reviewing dozens of dapim in Masechet Avodah Zarah, Yosef celebrated his first siyum at Rabbi Stefansky’s beit midrash in Beit Shemesh.
There, as part of a raffle among Daf Yomi learners, Yosef won a $1,000 prize for his dedication in the review campaign.
But the Divine providence did not end there. This week, at a massive Melaveh Malkah event in Bnei Brak attended by approximately 500 learners of all ages, another raffle was held—this time for an MDY tablet, a dedicated and protected device designed specifically for Gemara study. Despite the slim odds, the boy’s name was drawn once again, and Yosef walked away with the prize.
Eliyahu Gagula, the excited father, shared: “We don’t have a computer at home, and he really wanted the tablet so he could learn in an organized way. When they called his name the second time, people in the audience simply couldn’t believe it. It was something beyond nature.”
Within the learning community led by Rabbi Yisrael Weil, the brilliant student and his remarkable achievements were warmly praised. They said the boy serves as a role model and shining example for his peers and for everyone who takes part in Daf Yomi study.