Six Days Away from the Date of Kabbalas HaTorah

As we are only six days away from the date of Kabbalas HaTorah, everyone should be taking strides in preparation for the Great Event.  May we propose the following thoughts for your contemplation…and action, all of which will be bli neder:

A.  Undertaking to learn Chumash with Rashi on the Parasha.

B.  Attempting to memorize a Mishna a day, six days a week, with Chazara on Shabbos.  Over the course of a year (i.e., a year from today) you will know 300 Mishnayos by heart!  Imagine how much Torah study you can gain by reviewing the Mishnayos you have committed to memory, at events, in situations, and in places where you do not have a Sefer, do not have light, are walking by yourself (whether or not you have a cell phone!)–and to those who know you, think of how inspirational it will be to them as well!  If you are a woman, or if you are a man to whom the task appears too difficult at this time, may we suggest as an alternative, paying someone to learn all of Mishnayos in your Zechus.  We believe that you may have several options here.  One is Chevrah Lomdei Mishnah, which can be contacted at www.chevrahlomdeimishnah.org.  Another is Keren Ner Tomid of Yerushalayim which performs this special service (learning Shisha Sidrei Mishna as a Zechus for you (or for a relative or loved one)) for $600.00, and which may be paid in installments.  To contact Keren Ner Tomid by email:   rabbikrohn@kerennertomid.org .  We believe that in addition to the merit of Torah study in this instance, one also merits the support of Torah study–which is an additional method of coming closer to Torah!

 

C.  As we have emphasize in the past, committing to show greater respect to Rabbanim and Talmidei Chachomim by standing up when they are in your proximity; similarly, trying to reshelve Seforim that may be strewn about in Shul, even if you were not responsible for their state.  At home, we once again remind everyone to make sure that Siddurim and Bentschers/Zemiros books are properly treated and placed in their proper position; and if any Sefer page or binding is ripped, or torn, to promptly repair them with tape that you have handy.  It is interesting to note that the Hebrew word for honor, “kavod”, is also used as a synonym for the Neshama–soul, as Dovid HaMelech pleads in Tehillim: “Lem’aan yezamercha kavod…”–so that my soul praises You.  Yet, the gematria of kavod is 32, which corresponds to “Lev”–the heart, symbolizing feeling.  Thus, the term kavod uniquely combines both Neshama, symbolizing our superior intellect, and Lev, demonstrating our unique humane feeling.  When we properly show kavod, we unite our powerful intellect and unparalleled feeling, to display true respect, whether due or earned.

 

Note: When you walk into a Shul or Bais Midrash and notice that there are one or more Siddurim or Chumashim or other Seforim which are on tables and not put back in their place–should you take the time to find their place and re-shelve them–or are you taking away the Gabbai’s job– for it is his duty and his zechus.  A Rosh Yeshiva answered as follows:  “The Steipeler says that if one leaves Seforim out when he can put them back, then he is demonstrating a measure of achzarius-cruelty.  One should not leave it all to the Gabbai (especially if the Gabbai is a Talmid Chochom himself) –and if one does so he violates the Torah commands of  “Lo Sirda Bo Beforech–do not subject someone to hard labor ( actually found in this week’s Parsha-Vayikrah 25;43) and he also violates the vital mitzvah of “Veahavta LeRayacha Kamocha–loving your fellow man as yourself.”  Moreover, one who leaves Seforim on the table could cause Bitul Torah for another who cannot find the Sefer (or even the kind of Siddur) that he is looking for.  Finally, there is  an element of bizayon to the Seforim–especially if they are dispersed  here and there in a disorganized fashion.

 

Many of us were trained as children that when a Sefer falls, you pick it up and kiss it.  What if two Seforim fall?  The Bais Lechem Yehuda, one of the classic meforshim found in the Shulchan Aruch itself (ibid.) writes that both Seforim should be picked up as quickly as possible–and then kissed together.

 

Some common examples where we can show Kavod HaTorah are, which we have mentioned in the past and which require our renewal and rededication before Shavuos, are:

 

         Not permitting children’s books with Torah content to be placed, or remain, on the floor

         Not tossing Seforim (Hebrew or English) even from short distances or onto the table

         Not placing Seforim on your lap or sitting on the same level that Seforim are placed

         Not holding a Sefer below you waist, or letting it bang against your leg

         Not keeping Seforim unlocked in your car, as they are truly your honored treasure, or on the car seat where someone will sit down near or upon them

         Kissing a Sefer before and after use (and perhaps even during use–if you learn something from it that really excites you–as we had previously pointed out–according to HaRav Pam, Z’tl, one should also try to learn from the Sefer that he had dropped showing true kavod for it!)

         Taking a Sefer with you when traveling–as Rav Quinn, Z’tl, was known to always remark “You’re always safer with a Sefer!”

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