AVIMI WENT TO LEARN FROM HIS TALMID
Question: What is the meaning of 'I swallowed many blows from Avimi'?
Rashi (according to Hagahos in Oz v'Hadar edition): Rav Chisda forgot the answer, and Avimi struck (or embarrassed or reminded) him many times.
What was the teaching about announcing consecutively, or on Mondays and Thursdays?
Rashi: A Mishnah says that Beis Din announces orphans' property for 30 days before selling it. A Beraisa says, it is 60 days! Avimi answered that the former is when they announce consecutively (every weekday); the latter is when they announce only on Mondays and Thursdays.
Why does going to his Talmid help to succeed?
Rashi: If one says 'Yagati u'Matzasi' (I toiled and found understanding of Torah, believe him)' (Megilah 6b).
Daf Al ha'Daf citing Mishnas R. Aharon (1, Amelah Shel Torah): Hash-m promised that one who toils in Torah will merit to understand more than based on his aptitude. Therefore, it is called Metzi'ah (a found object). This is even for preparation to learn (going to his Talmid). Perhaps the same applies to preparation for Tefilah.
Chashukei Chemed: For this reason, it is better to go to a Shi'ur than to hear it on the phone, even if he loses time going to and returning from the Shi'ur. Also, this strengthens those who go to the Shi'ur, when they see more people there. Amelus in Torah is exertion in learning itself. Yegi'ah is in preparations to learn. This brings help from Shamayim to understand, but only Amelus makes the Torah part of the person himself. Mishnas R. Aharon (1, p. 39) says that Avimi's primary Yegi'ah was the humility to go to learn from his Talmid. One who toils for Torah covertly, a Bris promises that he will not forget quickly (Yerushalmi Berachos 5:!). This is because he learns Lishmah, without external support.
Ha'Boneh: Torah is dear to those who learn it. It is dearer if they toiled for it, and they remember it better.