The Masmid
Eli Nathan Lyrics
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working in Manhattan for the prized pot of gold.
A lawyer by trade, I’m sure you know the rest,
every chance to make a dollar just another test.
When I left Yeshiva, couldn’t wait for freedom day
Take the B train to the city, running far away.
But now I feel so empty, I wish I could be there
And it’s lonely, oh so lonely.
Feeling emptier each day.
Yes it’s lonely, oh so lonely.
With the Torah far away.
Always on the run and I’ve got no time to learn.
Chop a minyan in the morning.
Rush hour shteeble hopping, I’ve been davening.
Tried learning on the train, but it’s hard to keep my place,
With a stranger standing next to me,
His elbow in my face.
And it’s lonely, oh so lonely.
Feeling emptier each day.
Yes it’s lonely, oh so lonely.
With the Torah far away.
I wait all week for Shabbos.
But when it comes along,
I'm so tired I just fall asleep.
In the middle of a song,
I've got to get some learning done.
One of these fine days,
And my wife she smiles and says to me,
That's what you always say.
And it's lonely, oh so lonely.
Feeling emptier each day.
Yes it's lonely, oh so lonely.
I know I've got to change.
Five thirty the next morning,
He jumped right out of bed,
And said I've got to do some learning,
Put some Torah in my head.
Ran to the daf yomi shiur,
And that’s where he stayed.
And he’s no longer lonely now.
No longer lonely now.
He’s the masmid, a lawyer by his trade.
He’s a lawyer, but is learning every day.
The song "The Masmid" by Eli Nathan tells the story of a 25-year-old ex-Yeshiva guy who works as a lawyer in Manhattan, chasing the elusive pot of gold. The singer speaks of feeling empty and lonely in his pursuit of material success, missing the days of learning Torah in Yeshiva with his chavrusa by his side. He describes the daily struggles of trying to balance work and learning, chop a minyan in the morning, and rushing to shul during rush hour.
The singer seems to be caught in a cycle of disappointment, lacking the time and energy to fully devote himself to Torah learning. However, he finally has a breakthrough when he decides to wake up early in the morning and attend the daily daf yomi shiur. From that point on, he becomes the masmid, a lawyer who is constantly learning every day. The song ends on a hopeful note, suggesting that it's never too late to make a change and rediscover the value of Torah learning in one's life.
This song speaks to the struggle that many people have in finding meaning and balance in their lives, particularly those who have left religious communities and are trying to navigate the secular world. It expresses the longing for a sense of connection and purpose that can come from a life of learning and devotion to Torah.
Line by Line Meaning
I'm an ex-Yeshiva guy, 25 years old
I am no longer a Yeshiva student and I am 25 years old.
working in Manhattan for the prized pot of gold.
I am working hard in Manhattan to make a lot of money.
A lawyer by trade, I’m sure you know the rest,
I have become a lawyer by profession, you can likely guess the details.
every chance to make a dollar just another test.
When I get the opportunity to make money, it is just another hurdle to overcome.
When I left Yeshiva, couldn’t wait for freedom day
I used to eagerly anticipate the day I would leave the Yeshiva and have more freedom.
Take the B train to the city, running far away.
I would take the B train to escape the Yeshiva and go far away in the city.
But now I feel so empty, I wish I could be there
Now I feel a sense of emptiness and I wish I could go back to the Yeshiva.
In Yeshiva where I'd shteig, my chavrusa by my side.
When I was in Yeshiva, I'd study hard with my study partner by my side.
And it’s lonely, oh so lonely.
I feel isolated and alone.
Feeling emptier each day.
Each day I feel even more empty and unfulfilled.
Yes it’s lonely, oh so lonely.
It is indeed a very lonely feeling.
With the Torah far away.
The study of Torah is so distant from my life right now.
Always on the run and I’ve got no time to learn.
I'm always busy and have no time to devote to the study of Torah.
Chop a minyan in the morning.
I attend and participate in the morning prayer services with a group of 10 men.
Rush hour shteeble hopping, I’ve been davening.
I attend Jewish prayer services at different synagogues during rush hour in order to fit them into my schedule.
Tried learning on the train, but it’s hard to keep my place,
I attempted to study Torah while riding the train, but it's difficult to concentrate and stay on track.
With a stranger standing next to me,
There is always someone unfamiliar standing next to me on the train.
His elbow in my face.
Their elbow is constantly in my face and it's an interference.
I wait all week for Shabbos.
I eagerly await the arrival of the Jewish Sabbath.
But when it comes along, I'm so tired I just fall asleep.
When it finally arrives, I am so exhausted that I fall asleep right away.
In the middle of a song, I've got to get some learning done.
Even when I'm engaged in singing with others, the desire to learn Torah is still on my mind.
One of these fine days, and my wife she smiles and says to me,
I tell my wife that I'll eventually start learning more, and she smiles at me gently acknowledging my procrastination.
That's what you always say.
My wife has likely heard that promise many times before and views it as an almost casual statement.
And it's lonely, oh so lonely.
Once again I feel the solitude that I experience because of my lack of Torah study.
Feeling emptier each day.
It is a feeling that only becomes more intense with each passing day.
Yes it's lonely, oh so lonely.
Undoubtedly, it is a very isolating state to be in.
I know I've got to change.
I recognize and understand that change is necessary.
Five thirty the next morning, He jumped right out of bed,
At 5:30am the next morning, I eagerly jumped right out of bed.
And said I've got to do some learning, Put some Torah in my head.
I tell myself that I have to devote more time to the study of Torah and increase my knowledge.
Ran to the daf yomi shiur, And that’s where he stayed.
I rushed to attend my daily Talmud class and stayed there for some time.
And he’s no longer lonely now.
As a result of this increased attention to the study of Torah, I no longer feel lonely.
No longer lonely now.
I have found fulfillment in my life through study and no longer feel as isolated as before.
He’s the masmid, a lawyer by his trade.
I am now a diligent Torah student, despite still practicing as a lawyer.
He’s a lawyer, but is learning every day.
Despite my profession, studying Torah every day is an integral part of my life.
Contributed by Ava B. Suggest a correction in the comments below.