28 May YOU ARE NEVER FINISHED

We count Sefira day by day, from Pesach
to Shavuos, reciting a bracha each day.
We are reminded about how precious
time is. Every day, a gift from HaShem.
Every day, an opportunity to elevate
ourselves.
I was sharing this thought with a Torah
class, and Susan, who was new to Torah
and mitzvos, loved the concept.
“That’s something I can do,” Susan said.
“This year, I’m in the count.”
Some time later, she shared with me that
she added her own personal prayer to
HaShem, after counting.
“HaShem, I want to bring my neshama to
greater heights before Shavuos. Please
give me added opportunities to do chesed
each day of Sefira.”
What a beautiful, heartfelt tefilla. The
opportunities came. A call from a
neighbor asking for a ride. A friend who
needed help with errands. A request to
visit a homebound person. A letter from a

charity she was previously unaware of.
What a powerful lesson. Ask for
opportunities, and HaShem will give
them. We only have to open our eyes and
see them.
The Talmud discusses various answers to
the question of what must a man do to
reach a level of piety, to be a truly
righteous person. Rava’s opinion is that
he should fulfill the words of Maseches
Avos, Ethics of the Fathers. To work on
improving one’s middos, character traits.
The Midrash teaches, “Derech eretz
kadmah l’Torah. Proper conduct, being a
mentch, comes before studying Torah.”
As we are approaching Shavuos, the time
of Kabbolas haTorah, our nation’s
receiving the eternal gift of Torah, it’s
incumbent upon us to work on our derech
Eretz, our middos. Being pious is about
doing the right things.
Pirkei Avos is the best “how-to guide” to
living a meaningful, purposeful life. The
ultimate guide to being a better person.
My mother, the Rebbetzin a”h, would

often say that we are the
People of the Book, yet
so often we turn to every
book but our own. One
only has to study the
words of our sages found
in Pirkei Avos. Words
that teach us how to
improve our
relationships. Advice on
becoming a more caring
spouse, a better parent, a
respectful son or
daughter, a devoted friend and neighbor,
a more patient teacher, and a diligent
student. It is all there.
In the fifth chapter of Perek which is read
this Shabbos, it states, “Ben Bag-Bag
omer, hafuch bah, v’hafach bah, d’kola
bah, Turn the pages, turn the pages, for
everything is there. (Pirkei Avos 5:26). To
turn the pages of our holy Torah. To study
its timeless words, again and again.
Within it, is wisdom for both mind and
soul, knowledge to help us on our life’s
journey.
Pirkei Avos, Ethics of the Fathers. Who
are the fathers? What comes to mind are
our avos, the patriarchs, Avrohom,
Yitzchak and Yaakov. Through their
actions, they left a blueprint for all
time. A legacy of Torah ethics.
Avos are also our teachers, our spiritual
parents. The fathers of the Mishna.
Hillel and Shammai. Rabbi Akiva and
Rabbi Yochanan ben Zakai. And many
more. In fact, anyone who passes down
a mesora, a teaching from one
generation to another, is an “av”, a
spiritual father.
Finally, the avos are us. The actual
parents and grandparents. Those who
teach and give of their very being to
their children and grandchildren. Those
who yearn for the fulfillment of the
tefilla, “V’yizku lir’os banim u’vnei
banim, oskim ba’Torah u’v’mitzvos….,
We should merit to see children and
grandchildren, who live a life of Torah
and mitzvos…”
Avos… Parents. I am taken back in
time to when my dear father, HaRav
Meshulem HaLevi, zt”l, was a patient
in Sloane. Our family was there, all of
us children gathered together with
Abba. We stepped out to the corridor,
leaving our beloved Ima in the room
with Abba.
A short while later, Ima came out with

tears in her eyes. “Abba said ‘raise them
well’.” My mother shared how she told
our father that they raised the children
together. Boruch HaShem, all are married.
They are all raising their own children.
They are all building their own Jewish
homes. Abba then said, “You are never
finished.”
Even when a child is a grown adult, a
parent is needed. One always needs
guidance, no matter how old they are.
One always needs avos.
It is up to us as parents and grandparents
to create lasting memories for our
children, grandchildren, and future
generations. By studying Pirkei Avos, by
working on our middos, character traits,
we can elevate ourselves and leave an
indelible imprint upon our children.
There are six Chapters in Pirkei Avos,
one for each week of Sefira. Building us
up to Mattan Torah, receiving the Torah
on Shavuos. We repeat the cycle
throughout the summer months, providing
an opportunity for review and in-depth
study on the long Shabbos afternoons as
we approach and prepare for Rosh
Hashanah.
The introductory passage to Perek each
week states, “Kol Yisroel yesh lahem
cheilek l’Olam Ha’bah, Every member of
Klal Yisroel has a ‘cheilek’, a portion in
the world to come.” Our actions in this
world determine our portion in the World
to Come. We all know the famous adage,
“location, location, location”. I think of
the hotel rooms in Miami… oceanfront
with a balcony…. bay view… and even
no view… All kinds of rooms, all kinds
of portions. It’s up to us. Where will our
location be…. What will our portion be in
Olam Ha’bah.
B’ezras HaShem, this Shavuos, we
should be zoche to echo the commitment
of na’aseh v’nishmah, we will do and we
will listen, as called out by our ancestors
at Sinai.