Enlighten My Eyes
When the learning would not open up, the Maharil asked Hashem directly for light, gave tzedakah, and turned back to the Gemara.
A teaching ofRav Moshe Yehoshua Yehuda Leib Diskin of Briskהרב משה יהושע יהודה לייב בן בנימין דיסקיןProfile ›
Night after night in Lomza, the Maharil struggled with a hard point in the Gemara, standing motionless in thought until an answer appeared. At times it did not. Then he asked his chavrusa to recite the Gemara aloud again, slowly, word by word, as he paced and strained for the true pshat until tears came. Facing the wall, he cried out the words of the verse in Tehillim, asking Hashem to answer him and to enlighten his eyes with His Torah. He would drop a coin into the pushke that supported the poor of Eretz Yisroel and ask Heaven to assist him through the zechus of Rav Meir Baal HaNes. Afterward, what had been hidden became clear, and he returned to his learning like a warrior coming home from victory. His way teaches that understanding Torah comes through effort, prayer and giving together.
Source: As related by a talmid in his sefer (printed account; full citation to be confirmed)
The next time you reach a difficulty you cannot resolve, in learning or in life, give it your full effort first. Then stop and say a short, honest prayer in your own words, asking Hashem to open your eyes. Put a coin into a tzedakah box before you return to the problem. Do not expect an instant answer, but expect help. Ask, give, and then go back to your work with a lighter heart.