The Flatbush program for unaffiliated Jewish students had officially concluded.

After months of rigorous learning, meaningful relationships, and tremendous personal growth, the students graduated with pride from the BJX (Brooklyn Jewish Xperience) program. Diplomas were distributed. Awards were presented. Accomplishments were celebrated. The room was filled with gratitude and joy as everyone prepared to say their farewells.

And then a thought entered our minds:

Who said it must end?

Why not offer the students the opportunity to continue for a few more weeks?

At first glance, it seemed almost unreasonable. After all, they had worked hard. Surely, they were ready for a break. They could return to their hobbies, spend time with friends, relax, and enjoy some well-earned downtime.

But Rabbis Fingerer, who devotingly lead BJX see every opportunity for Torah learning as spiritual oxygen.

What other type of spiritual nourishment would many of these students have in their lives? Day after day they are immersed in a culture far removed from Torah values. This program is more than a class. It is a refuge. A sanctuary. A place where precious Yiddishe neshamos can connect to their heritage, discover their greatness, and experience the beauty of authentic Jewish life.

So, the rabbis made the offer.

With love and conviction, they announced that anyone interested could continue learning beyond graduation. BJX would extend the program all the way until summer.

Suddenly, the room erupted.

“Three more weeks! Three more weeks! Three more weeks!”

The chant grew louder and louder.

To their astonishment, every single student wanted to continue.

Unanimously.

They were willing to put everything else aside for three more weeks of Torah learning, growth, friendship, and inspiration. They loved their mentors. They loved their Torah study. They loved the pure and wholesome environment that had become their second home.

They simply refused to let it end.

More Torah. More connection. More kosher food. More Shabbos. More opportunities to grow.

The rabbis and staff stood there in awe.

The Torah tells us, “Moshe was exceedingly humble, more than any person on the face of the earth.”

The Lev Simcha, the Gerrer Rebbe, offers a remarkable insight. The Torah could have simply stated that Moshe was the humblest person who ever lived. Why compare him to others? Why emphasize that he was humbler than every other person?

The Lev Simcha explains that the Torah is revealing the source of Moshe’s humility.

Moshe looked at ordinary people struggling with ordinary challenges. He saw men and women who had never ascended to the heavens, never spent forty days and nights on Har Sinai, never experienced the extraordinary revelations that he had. Yet despite the temptations, distractions, and difficulties of everyday life, they rose above the “face of the earth” and became great.

That is what humbled Moshe.

He saw greatness in others.

Everyone in BJX, each devoted mentor that evening was also humbled.

The Flatbush mentors stand in the presence of students who come from secular backgrounds, who are surrounded by secular influences throughout the day, and yet choose Torah. They choose growth. They choose holiness. They choose to rise above their circumstances and become great.

And when those students stand together and chant, “Three more weeks! Three more weeks!” each of us are reminded that the spark of a Jewish soul never goes out.

It only waits for the opportunity to burn brighter.