I am Raf. I do the Daf.
That Raf, he does Daf.
I do not like Raf who does Daf.
Would you like to join and do the Daf?
I cannot Raf, cannot do the Daf!
Would you learn it here or there?
Would you learn it anywhere?
I cannot learn it here or there.
I cannot do it anywhere.
Would you learn it in your den?
Would you learn it with a guy named Ben?
Would you learn it when going far?
Would you learn it in your car?
I cannot do the daily Daf;
it’s just too hard, Mr. Raf!
Would you be doing it in your house?
Would you be encouraged by your spouse?
Would you do it at a wedding?
Would you ensure there’s no forgetting?
Would you go to a shiur in Yiddish?
Would you learn it at a kiddush?
Would you learn it from a CD?
Would you rather from an MP3?
Would you even give the shiur?
Would you just listen in your chair?
Would you in the rain or snow?
Would you learn it on the go?
Would you, could you on a train?
Would you, could you on a plane?
Would you Yom Kippur afternoon?
Would you learn it on the moon?
Would you make it a life ikar?
Would you on Purim when you’re shikor?
Will you say, “It doesn’t pas”?
Or will you use an ArtScroll Shas?
Would you overcome a life of misusa?
Would you learn each night with a chavrusa?
Would you learn it from a Sage?
Would you ensure to do that page?
Would you do it when sick and tired?
Would you do it after getting fired?
Would you do it when you’re harried?
Would you do it after your child gets married?
Would you learn it in your shul?
Would you learn it at the pool?
Would you learn it after a chupah?
Would you when vacationing in Aruba?
Would you delve into every s’vara?
Would you meet Abayei and Rava?
Would you learn it after Pesach Seder?
Would you give daily nachas to your Creator?
Okay, Raf, if you’ll just let me be;
I’ll try the Daf, just wait and see!
Hey! I CAN do the Daf!
I CAN do it – thank you, Raf!
I can do it here or there;
I can do it anywhere!
I can do it in my den;
I can do it with my friend, Ben!
I can do it when going far;
I can do it in my car!
I can do it in my house;
I can do it – thanks to my spouse!
I can do it at a wedding;
I can do it – no forgetting!
I can do it – maybe not in Yiddish;
I can do it after a kiddush!
I can learn it from a CD;
I can learn it from an MP3!
I can learn it at a shiur;
I can listen in my chair!
I can learn it – rain or snow;
I can learn it wherever I go!
I can learn it on the train;
I can learn it on a plane!
I can do it Yom Kippur afternoon;
I can even do it on the moon!
I can make it my life ikar;
I can do it before becoming shikor!
I can do it even sick and tired;
I can do it – hopefully won’t get fired!
I can do it when I’m harried;
I can do it even when getting married!
I can do it at a shul;
I can do it before the pool!
I can do it after a chupah;
I can do it – where’s Aruba?
I can delve into every s’vara;
My new best friends are Abayei and Rava!
I can learn it now or later;
I can give nachas to my Creator!
I can do all 27 hundred and eleven;
I can earn this great ticket to heaven!
I can do it – just a Daf each day;
I can do it – hip hip hurray!
*Dedicated in honor of my father who made his fifth Siyum HaShas with Daf Yomi last week and dedicated in honor of my mother who has been there throughout.
Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, is a rebbe and guidance counselor at Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, NJ, Principal at Mesivta Ohr Naftoli of New Windsor, and a division head at Camp Dora Golding. He can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Looking for periodic powerful inspiration? Join Rabbi Staum’s new Whatsapp group “Striving Higher.” Email for more info.
