Achitofel, Shavuot and Torah Study

Hi,



Achitofel is described in Tanach as the wisest advisor of King David. The Talmud presents a cryptic statement regarding Achitofel's instructions to his children:



"Achitofel told his children three things...The third lesson was: If the weather on the holiday of Shavuot is clear, plant wheat."

(Talmud, Bava Batra 147a)

Maharsha explains: Shavuot is the holiday of the presentation of the Torah. Optimal study requires clarity, like one achieves on a breezy day. Wheat is a symbol of wisdom, as the Talmud notes that a child first begins to show intelligent thought at the age when it starts eating wheat.



Thus Achitofel instructed his children: If the time when Torah is presented to you is opportune for Torah study, take advantage of it and study Torah.



Have a great day,

Mordechai

Immersion in Torah study

Hi,

There is a daily morning blessing which serves to thank Gd for giving us Torah, and one part describes the mitzvah of Torah study as "Laasok b'Divrei Torah," "to be involved with words of Torah." The word "Laasok," "to be involved," is also the word for business investment.

The Chafetz Chaim commented, as recorded in his notes to the prayerbook: "One who has a business and wishes to become wealthy certainly will not be satisfied with spending an hour or two in his store, closing early and going to rest or play. Rather, he will be involved with the store with every effort, both during the day and until the late hours of the night. He will not rest and he will not be silent, and he will put all of his resources into this investment."

Have a great day,
Mordechai

One can always make time for Torah

Hi,

Lest anyone say he is too busy to learn Torah -

"There have been great sages of Israel who were woodchoppers, water-drawers and blind people and who yet managed to involve themselves in Torah day and night. They were among those who passed the tradition down, from one to the next, from the mouth of Moshe Rabbeinu."

(Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchot Talmud Torah 1:9)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Revealing new lessons of the Torah

Hi,

"One who learns Torah and law as they were given by Gd, from Heaven, and does not seek to learn something new from them, is acting inappropriately.

"Gd wishes to enlarge the Torah and greaten it, for aside from the Torah which has been given to us, there is a hidden portion from which an experienced student will learn new things each day."

(Derashot Chatam Sofer II pg. 405)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

The protective power of Torah study

Hello,

In preparation for Shavuot, when we celebrate (among other things) receiving the Torah, we'll look at the value of Torah study:

"Rav Chisda was sitting and studying in Yeshiva, and the messenger of death was unable to get close to him because his mouth never fell silent from learning.

"The messenger settled in the wood of the room, causing it to split. Rav Chisda fell silent, and so it was able to take him."

(Talmud, Makkot 10a)

Have a good day,
Mordechai

The importance of timely prayer

Hello,


"It is written, 'That which has been made crooked cannot be fixed' - This refers to someone who did not recite Shma in the evening or morning, or the Amidah in the evening or morning…

"R’ Yitzchak said, citing R’ Yochanan: This is where one omitted it intentionally."

(Talmud, Berachot 26a)

Have a great day,
Mordechai

Honor

Hi,

"Do not pursue honor, and do not ascend a platform which is not appropriate for you."

(Orchot Chaim, Rabbeinu Asher (Rosh), #88)

Have a great day,
Mordechai