Between the Daf and Saving a Life: A Small Story About a Great Lesson
Sometimes Daf Yomi is not just about study. Sometimes it changes lives.
One member of the MDY community shared with the *MDY Friends* website a remarkable story that happened to him this week, in the middle of the Daf Yomi shiur with Rabbi Eli Stefansky.
During the day he works as a delivery driver, but most of his time is devoted to promoting the study of Daf Yomi as part of the MDY framework. In addition, as a hobby in his spare time, he also works as a locksmith.
Last night, in the middle of the shiur, around 9:30 p.m., his phone began to vibrate. Normally his phone is kept on silent during the shiur and he does not respond to calls. This time it happened to remain on vibrate, but even then he continued learning and did not answer.
Only after 11 unanswered calls did a call come through from his wife on his United Hatzalah radio device — a number she uses only for genuine emergencies.
He answered immediately.
His wife told him they were urgently trying to reach him:
A one-and-a-half-year-old baby had been locked inside the bathroom, where a space heater was running at full power.
He quickly went upstairs to his home, grabbed his lock-picking equipment, and rushed to the scene.
In less than twenty seconds the door was opened and the baby was rescued.
According to those present, the child was already completely red and drenched in sweat from the intense heat that had built up inside the closed bathroom with the heater running at full strength.
The family, a Hasidic family, immediately asked to pay for the rescue.
But then a special moment occurred.
He explained to them that between nine and ten in the evening is “God’s hour — the time of the Daf Yomi,” and therefore that hour does not belong to him. He does not take money for that time.
He turned to leave and return to the shiur.
On the stairs, the father stopped him and asked:
“If that’s the case, how can I repay you for this mitzvah?”
His answer was simple.
“There is one thing you can do. Call this number now —
073-2951551 — and join the Daf Yomi shiur with Rabbi Eli Stefansky.”
The father explained that he learns in kollel all day, and that in his community it would not be viewed favorably if he attended places where there are screens. But joining by phone alone would be possible.
Right there on the spot he called and joined the live broadcast of Rabbi Eli Stefansky.
He even promised that from now on he would connect this way to the shiur every day.
The rescuer immediately returned to the Daf Yomi shiur, and the next morning he reviewed the daf again — twice.
Because in the end, as we like to say:
“It’s not the daf — it’s the daily.”
And perhaps also:
It’s not us — it’s the Holy One, blessed be He, and His emissary, Rabbi Eli Stefansky.