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By: Chaya Sora Jungreis-Gertzulin
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.
Shabbat Shalom!
Chaya Sora
Chaya Sora can be reached at [email protected]
This article was written L’zecher Nishmas /In Memory Of HaRav Meshulem ben HaRav Osher Anshil HaLevi, zt”l and Rebbetzin Esther bas HaRav Avraham HaLevi, zt”l
