PARSHIOS TAZRIA/METZORA 5775


“RABBI’S
MUSINGS (& AMUSINGS)”
Erev Shabbos Kodesh – Parshas Tazria-Metzora
5 Iyar 5775/ April 28, 2015
21st day of the Omer – Pirkei
Avos – Chapter 2
Although
it’s always sad when a Yom Tov ends, there was always something exciting about
Motzei Pesach. As soon as we finished putting away all of the Pesach dishes,
cutlery, tablecloths, haggadahs, etc. we excitedly ripped the tinfoil off the
counters, and cut the bows tied around the handles on the chometz shelves.
Within a few minutes the kitchen was reverted back to its usual look with nary
a trace of the Pesach coverings that had adorned it for the previous week and a
half.
It was
always amazing to me how quickly we were able to undo what had taken so much
time to create. The covering and koshering which had been done so carefully and
meticulously required minimal effort to reverse. 
The truth
is that the unfair balance is a fact of life. What can take us so long to
achieve and accomplish can be uprooted and destroyed so rapidly.
The moral
of the story is that it’s not enough to build, but one must also know how to
savor and preserve their accomplishments without forfeiting them.
During
Pesach we grow spiritually through performing the unique mitzvos and halachos
endemic to the Yom Tov. The question then becomes how to maintain that growth
and not allow it to be placed in the trash alongside the now defunct
counter-covering aluminum foil.
In
regards to Pesach the resolution to that dilemma is built into the holiday
itself, i.e. Sefiras Haomer. The path to growth is through constant goal-setting
and striving to achieve greater levels. The path to maintaining growth is
through developing positive habits and routines that “lock in” one’s new
accomplishments.
During
the days of Sefirah we not only seek to accomplish new growth, but we seek to build
upon the growth of previous days and weeks.
This past
Shabbos we began the study of Pirkei Avos. Towards the end of perek 1, the
great Shammai relates three teachings: “Make your Torah (study) fixed, speak
little and do a lot, and accept every person with a smiling countenance.”
After
reading the perek in shul this past Shabbos, I was discussing this mishna with others
and we wondered, what is the connection between these three seemingly disparate
bits of advice?
We
thought that perhaps Shammai is relating to us the importance of developing
positive habits. Torah study cannot be arbitrary and ‘whenever one has time’.
Every person has to set for himself fixed times for Torah study. Learning to
regulate one’s words and not immediately say whatever is on one’s mind is a
positive habit that one can foster within himself. Finally, one can train
himself to greet everyone he encounters with a smile and a pleasant
disposition.
So often
when people extol the character of great Torah leaders they speak of their
incredible adherence to their schedule of Torah study, how they measure their
words, and the warmth which they exude to everyone they met.  
 By now we are all again enjoying our pizza and
pasta. But we want to hold on to the spiritual growth of Pesach and incorporate
it into our daily routine.  
Shabbat Shalom & Good Shabbos,
            R’ Dani and Chani Staum
     

720 Union Road • New Hempstead, NY 10977 • (845) 362-2425

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