Parshas Emor
In this week’s parsha we are given the mitzvah of Sefiras HaOmer. It is well known that the mitzvah of the counting the omer begins on the second day of Pesach and extends until Shavuos. Since the subject matter of the parsha coincides with our counting of the omer, I thought it fitting to expound upon the lessons we should be integrating at this particular time. It is interesting to note that while we are joyously fulfilling the mitzvah of counting the omer, we are simultaneously mourning the deaths of Rebbi Akiva’s 24,000 talmidim. The gemara in Yevamos 62b says that the reason for the tragedy was because of the lack of honor that the talmidim displayed for each other. Being that nothing ever happens by chance, why did the deaths of Rebbi Akiva’s students take place during Sefiras HaOmer? It seems from the gemara that Rebbi Akiva’s talmidim always behaved this way. Why did Hashem punish them specifically in this period of time as opposed to any other time of the year?
The Maharal says that the period from Pesach until Shavuos is the most important time of year to exert ourselves in planting a greater reverence and honor for the Torah in our hearts. The Sefer HaChinuch says that this is actually the reason we are counting the omer. We are demonstrating how we much we treasure the Torah, counting each and every day until we reach Shavuos. However, one does not honor the Torah merely by learning it. The primary expression of honoring the Torah and attesting to our yearning for it is honoring those who learn it and especially those who embody it. It is not by accident that Chazal and even the Chumash itself emphasize the importance of honoring talmidei chachamim and place rabbinical figures at the center of Jewish life. A talmid chacham represents the Torah and is a wellspring of its knowledge. The Torah itself, so to speak, comes into the world and is actualized in totality only through the existence of such an individual. The association of the Torah with talmidei chachamim is so pronounced that the gemara in Sanhedrin 99b even goes so far as to say that one who disgraces a talmid chacham is the quintessential example of an apikorus! We can see clearly that the reverence due to a talmid chacham is very great. The Maharal asserts that this is why Rebbi Akiva’s students were punished particularly at this time of year. Rebbi Akiva’s talmidim were not rude to each other. However, on their level, the talmidim didn’t honor their fellow colleagues in a way befitting Torah scholars. During Sefiras HaOmer, the talmidim should have taken the opportunity to increase their honor for the Torah and appreciate the immense value inherent in their chevrusas. We who are alive today should learn from the terrible tragedy of Rebbi Akiva’s students to increase our own honor for the Torah. Do we value our Rabbis and fellow talmidei chachamim? Do we treat our chevrusas with the respect that a Torah scholar deserves? If we lack such appreciation, we are missing out on a major aspect of cavod hatorah .
However, a person doesn’t only have an obligation to honor others who embody the Torah. The Mesillas Yesharim in chapter 11 writes that every person who represents the Torah must be concerned with how he is doing so. One must be concerned for the Torah’s honor and prevent any negative associations others may relate to it. Therefore, the more a person learns, the greater his obligation becomes to exemplify outstanding character traits. When one becomes a representative of the Torah, he has a responsibility to radiate the very perfection of the Torah itself. Bnei Torah among all other people have the most difficult challenge of honoring the Torah. Any little act of carelessness can be disastrous. A ben Torah must think about every word he says and even how he looks. The gemara Shabbos 114a says that a talmid chacham who has some filth on his clothes is even considered worthy of death for casting a disparaging light on himself and the Torah. We can see for ourselves that if such a person behaves impolitely and uses unrefined speech he is profaning the honor of the Torah even more and deserves even greater punishment. We should remember that even as we take a simple walk in the street, we must be cognizant of how we appear to the rest of the world. We represent the Torah and have a duty to actualize the splendorous expression of Hashem’s will.
Rav Avraham Pam was one of the most influential rabbinical leaders of American Jewry in the last century. As the Rosh Yeshiva of the Torah VaDaas, Rav Pam was not only responsible for developing the yeshiva into a world center of Torah learning – he also built an entire society of talmidei chachamim that continue to epitomize the beauty of Torah life. Rav Yisroel Reisman says that the legacy of Rav Pam extends far beyond the yeshiva’s walls. No matter where Rav Pam’s talmidim find themselves today and no matter what careers they may have chosen to pursue, all are magnificent ambassadors for the Torah’s honor. A talmid of Rav Pam has a special pleasantness to him. He greets others cheerfully. Talmidim of Rav Pam are honest in business and even if life presents them with difficulties, they persevere calmly through their challenges. They love Jews regardless of how religious they may be and desire a good Jewish education for every Jewish child. There isn’t a meal that goes by without a compliment to their wives and they never neglect reaching out to those who are in need even if someone just needs to be cheered up. This is the legacy that Rav Pam left the world. One can observe the life of just one of his talmidim to see how glorious a ben Torah can be.
May we all be zoche to have cavod hatorah!!!