Lag B'Omer is approaching and our minds turn to bonfires and
caves. Graphic applications of great spiritual depth. Shimon
Bar Yochai delved into the deepest secrets of the universe,
the most hidden parts of our Torah, from the isolation and
seclusion of a cave where he lived with his son who served as
his chavrusa. Absolute dedication and devotion for
learning Torah was the essence of their entire existence.
Nothing else existed. Their material needs were tended to by
the One Above in an overtly miraculous nature.
Contrast in your mind the absolute silence of the cave, which
was the beis midrash of these Torah Sages, with the
constant noise and action of a high tech society. At times it
is good to withdraw from the action and insulate ourselves
from the noise clattering up our minds. To be almost forced
into a state of silence. The wholesome chatter and clatter of
a home in action is the foundation of many of our days, but
at times it is very healthy to take a break.
Take a ten minute solitary stroll around the block in the
still of early dawn, a late bus ride, read or recite a few
chapters of Tehillim from the heart, recite the
Tikun Chatzos or take a break at the kitchen sink for
a few quiet, productive, introspective moments when all is
silent about you. You may be accustomed to taped music or
Torah talks, or to a chorus of little bystanders, but there
is usually some time when you can relish a bit of noise- free
privacy.
A good friend of mine shared the following experience with
me. She was prone to spending a lot of time on the phone,
with background music usually accompanying her through her
days. Then she was asked to take a few hours of "machsom
lefi" quality loshon hora-free hours. She agreed
for the sake of the cause and quickly discovered that she
benefited the most from this exercise in self control. She
immediately sized up her situation and realized that given
her sociable and talkative nature, she would be best off
trying to be quiet during these hours, rather than watchfully
talkative. Perhaps not silent but quiet. She would not
initiate any calls at this time. She purposely chose hours
when there were few people in her immediate environment and
made an amazing discovery: her enforced hours of quiet turned
her into a much better homemaker. Truth be told, her dishes
and laundry flew as she had no big distractions to contend
with.
Her inner peace was evident. She could think quietly. She
could feel a great sense of accomplishment both in the
physical and spiritual sense. She was at one with herself.
She admitted that the novelty wore off after a while, but the
memory remained with her and years later, it continues to
serve as a prod and inspiration. A time to return to. Like
pictures of a beautiful holiday that can be recalled, relived
and even recreated.
Perhaps we, too, have strayed far afield from a cave, from
that idyllic beis midrash in Meron. But we, too, can
establish an island of tranquility for ourselves at will. For
minutes or days. And this may just lengthen the days of our
lives in a more than one way.
