Photo Credit: Jewish Press
As early as I can remember, I have had an abiding love of sefarim.
I began collecting sefarim – classic important sets, sefarim on the masechta I was learning, sefarim on new topics I might one day learn, the best editions of various sefarim, important historical sefarim, etc. At some point this expanded further into acquiring works in Jewish history and Jewish studies, as well.
Over time I’ve had to slow down a bit, given limitations on shelf space, or house space. (Thanks to my parents and wife for putting up with me and my sefarim over the years!)
What’s the point? Why so many? Are you actually going to read all those sefarim? Why not read them online? Three responses:
- Studies show that the more books in a home, the higher a child’s education, even controlling for education, etc. Translate that into Jewish education for sefarim.
- When you want to sit and learn, or research a topic on Shabbos, what do you do?
- Umberto Eco (1932-2016, owned 50,000 books): “It is foolish to think that you have to read all the books you buy… There are things in life that we need to always have plenty of supplies, even if we will only use a small portion.” Books serve as a potential resource for expanding one’s mind.
Happy learning!