* Translated by Janine Muller Sherr
Yesterday, on our weekly Zoom session of “Mitchadshot,” I interviewed Hodaya Cohen, winner of this year’s International Bible Contest (Chidon HaTanach), along with her mother, Hila. We saw Hodaya’s personal Tanach that she used to prepare for the contest: each topic is highlighted in a different color, and the margins are filled with countless summaries and notes, all written with love and devotion. I asked Hodaya and Hila if they could share some tips with us.
Hodaya explained that she had studied for Chidon for three years and dedicated her learning to the success of the Jewish people. In her words, “We need to have faith in ourselves that God gives us strengths that we aren’t even aware of. I noticed how prayer also helped me to actualize these strengths, along with the support of my parents. I worked hard and realized that it was possible for me to succeed. In my opinion, we don’t realize the potential of our brains and our souls.”
Hodaya’s mother, Hila, added: “Over the past year, I learned from Hodaya how to maximize my time. Sometimes we had five extra minutes when we were waiting for someone. Then Hila would say: “In five minutes, we can learn two chapters.” Instead of wasting time, I learned how to take advantage of every moment. We did not convey to Hodaya that she needs to win the Chidon. We were overjoyed about her dedication to learning and with her love of Torah and we told her that it doesn’t matter what place she ranks in the contest, as long as she was working hard and trying her best. Her learning and connection to the holy words of the Tanach are the greatest achievement of all.”
