21 Apr SOME SEFIRA LESSONS

As we engage in the
seasonal mitzvah of
counting the sefira and
observe the national
period of mourning for the
tragic deaths of the 24,000
disciples of Rabbi Akiva,
we should take the time
to reflect upon what these experiences are
supposed to teach us.
The Gemara informs us that Rabbi Akiva’s
disciples died from the horrible disease of
askara, a type of lethal diphtheria or croup.
The Maharsha informs us that this is a
punishment for the sin of lashon hora, evil
gossip. This should jolt us with the realization
that even rarefied b’nei yeshiva, lofty Torah
scholars, can succumb to this deadly sin if
caught unaware!
Thus, at this time of the year, we should be
stimulated by our abstention from music
etc., to pick up the Chofetz Chaim’s laws on
lashon hora and become more aware of the
many intricacies of the directive to guard our
tongues! Without the proper perusal of these
laws, it is all too possible that we might engage
in this ugly sin, chas v’shalom, without even
realizing our transgressions.
Take for example the Chofetz Chaim’s
comments in Klal Yud #12 where he informs
us that if someone fails to do you a favor,

which is not something terribly bad, and you
reveal this ‘failure’ to others, it is absolutely
considered lashon hora! In the same way,
if you went to a town and weren’t warmly
greeted, and you subsequently relate this to
your townspeople, you are guilty of defaming
a whole town. Through this, we can learn
to apply this mandate and become very
concerned about making offhand remarks
like, “The people in that Shul aren’t friendly.”
In Klal 9 #5, the Chofetz Chaim charges us
not to hesitate to berate our young children
if we hear them talking badly about people.
He elaborates that the neglect of this sort
of chinuch is a primary reason for the
proliferation of this sin in adults. Obviously,
if children grow up saying whatever they
want, upon maturity when they realize they
are truly engaging in the heinous crime of
lashon hora, it becomes a very hard custom
to change. Therefore, it is incumbent upon
parents to cultivate in our children a natural
inhibition to speak badly about others just like
we condition them from a very young age to
watch that they don’t put forbidden food into
their mouths!
Regarding to the mitzvah of sefiras ha’omer,
the Chinuch explains that we are making
a statement on a global level that the one
commodity Jews count towards is the day of
Matan Torah (Shavuos). We should do this
with enthusiasm just like one counts excitedly

to a vacation or wedding day as this counting
is our public declaration: Our Number One
national treasure and identity is Torah!
However, as in all areas of life, Hashem
doesn’t want mere lip service from us. Thus,
the true spirit of sefira is to examine our daily
schedules and see if we devote enough time to
our Torah studies.
The Gemara informs us, “T’chilas dino shel
adam eino ela b’divrei Torah,” that our final
judgment will begin with none other than
a grilling about the time we spent on Torah
study. In Masechtas Shabbos [31a], the
Gemara elaborates that we will be asked by
the Heavenly tribunal, “K’vata itim laTorah
– Did you fix times for Torah study?” The
Shulchan Oruch (Orach Chaim 155:1) defines
this responsibility as putting aside a specific
time each day for Torah learning and that we
ensure we will not violate this set time even if
it means sustaining a substantial loss of profit.
The Mishna Berurah (ibid #4) adds that if one
must miss his appointed time, he should ‘pay
it back’ by learning double the next day!
The Biur Halacha (ibid) informs us that
in Yoreh Dei’ah (246:1) we are further
instructed that to have a fixed period during
both the daytime hours and nighttime hours.
He suggests therefore having a study period
right after morning prayers and again in the
gap between mincha and maariv. Of course,
this prescription will not fit everyone as
some people must rush out immediately
after shacharis to catch a bus. Perhaps they
might make their set time before shacharis,
while other people who daven maariv right
after mincha might establish their nightly
schedule right after maariv.
Whatever our lifestyle, we should carve out
two fixed times for Torah study from our
daily routine even if it’s initially only five
minutes each, so that we can be certain to
answer the question that will determine our
eternal fate (after 120 years of good life)
with a resounding affirmative!
What should we learn? The Mishna
Berurah offers us the following guidance:
One who only has a limited amount of
time for Torah study should learn practical
halachos to know how to live like a proper
Jew. Additionally, we are guaranteed that
one who studies halachos every day can
be assured of a place in the Afterlife! (See
Shaarei Teshuvah who states the minimum
is two halachos daily.)
Also, one should include in their budgeted
time a review of the weekly Torah portion.
This not only promotes one’s emuna, as
assured by the Chofetz Chaim in his letters,
but also increase one’s longevity, as stated
in the Gemara in Masechtos Berachos. An
inclusion of a learning seder in Mishnayos
is helpful in protecting one from the fires
of Gehenom (as stated in the preface to
Medrash Talpios).
Finally, one should include a regimen of
mussar study, Torah ethics and lessons
of self-analysis and self-improvement.

This will assist in acquiring the fear of
Heaven which is our primary purpose in life.
Additionally, as the Baalei Mussar tell us,
by including mussar in our learning, we will
surely be able to find even more time to learn!
When planning this most important
scheduling, I recommend strongly that one
sit down with their wife and have her input
in the chosen times. This will give her a
great cheieik, portion, in the mitzvah and
will further ensure that you don’t establish a
time slot you’ll have to habitually break, like
before candle lighting on Friday afternoons or
carpool times.
Finally, the Mishna Berurah cautions that we
should not consider our ‘fixed’ times as the
‘only’ times we have available to study Torah.
A Jew must study Torah at all available times!
Rather, these fixed times are the ones that are
most sacred and not to be trespassed upon
except in cases of extreme urgency.
In the merit of having a regular daily diet of
Torah study, may we all merit the blessing
of, “Orech yamim b’yamina b’smola osher
v’kavod – Long life to the Torah’s right and
wealth and honor to Her left!!”