What I have in common with Rav Ḥisda and Rav Sheshet. And it is not what you think. TB Eruvin 67

Rav Ḥisda was a third-generation amora (died 320 CE) who lived in Kafri, Babylonia, near what is now the city of Najaf, Iraq. Rav Ḥisda presided over the Academy of Sura for ten years following the death of Rav Yehuda or following the death of Rav Huna, according to Abraham ibn Daud. After Rav Ḥisda death, no one succeeded him as the Rosh Mesivta, Head of the Yeshiva, of Sura and the central Talmudic authority passed to Rabbah in Pumbedita. Rav Sheshet was a third generation Babylonian amora. Although he was blind, he was compensated by a very retentive memory, for he knew by heart the entire body of tannaitic tradition, as well as its amoric interpretations. The Gemara relates a how Rav Ḥisda and Rav Sheshet reacted when they met each other.

“The Gemara relates that when Rav Ḥisda and Rav Sheshet would meet each other, Rav Ḥisda’s lips would tremble from the teachings of Rav Sheshet. Rav Sheshet’s fluency and expertise were such that Rav Ḥisda would be filled with awe in his presence. For his part, Rav Sheshet’s entire body would shake from Rav Ḥisda’s sharpness, i.e., from his brilliant, analytical mind.” (Sefaria.org translation) Rabbeinu Ḥananel, an 11th-century Kairouanan rabbi and Talmudist, explains that Rav Ḥisda was afraid that Rav Sheshet would ask him a question based on the mishnayot he knew. Rav Sheshet was shaken to the core because of Rav Ḥisda’s brilliant analytical questions he might ask him.

This story brought me back to my senior year in rabbinical school. Dr. Moshe Zucker was the most demanding the professor I had at JTS. One had to know the Gemara literally backwards and forwards for him. His depth and breath knowledge of Talmud and what he expected of his students terrified me. Before class I will review what I had studied the night before and immediately after class I would review what he taught to make sure I knew the text backwards and forwards. Although I was terrified to be in his class, he made me a better student. I only had the opportunity to study with him for my junior year because he had a sabbatical my senior year.

Every night after the 10:00 PM ma’ariv service two students walked Dr.  Zucker home to the apartment complex next door to the school. I had the merit to escort Dr. Zucker home my senior year. The very first night Dr. Zucker asked me, “Greene, what are you studying?” Thinking that my answer would be the end of this conversation I told him the name of the chapter and massekhet I was studying. He then asked me, “How did it begin?” When I summarize the beginning, he interrupted and said, “No, how does it begin word for word?” At that moment I felt like both Rav Ḥisda and Rav Sheshet. From then on, I realize from then on before Dr. Zucker could asked me what I was learning word for word, I had to ask him a question first that would occupy the entire walk home. And I did.