Part IV of a series leading up to Mattan Torah
We discussed 1) Working at trying to connect what is
happening to thoughts about Torah, good middos and
Hashem, i.e. relating to Torah in our daily lives; 2)
Showing love of Torah in various ways.
3. Pay Attention When Others are Speaking in Torah
* Never talk while someone is speaking Torah -- even if you
do not understand the content or the language in which they
are speaking. Always listen, unless there is a real
emergency. This includes listening at Bar Mitzva, Bris and
Sheva Brochos celebrations, Yeshiva fund raising dinners
etc.
Children learn from what they see, and how can they ever
really believe you love Torah and think it is important when
every time someone starts talking in Torah you either begin
whispering to a neighbor or leave the room?
* Don't clear away dishes or serve food when someone is
speaking Torah at the table. In fact, try not to leave the
table at all while words of Torah are being spoken. Sit and
at least act as if you are paying attention. Do all the
serving, clearing, cleaning etc. during the singing or a
lull in conversation.
* Don't allow giggling, talking, whining etc. during Kiddish
or a dvar Torah. It is preferable to excuse children
from the table during the latter, even if they will be
wandering around the room. No one imbibes love of Torah by
being forced to sit quietly while dying of boredom. And it
is not even healthy for those sitting at the table to see
that someone else is not enjoying Torah. Being effected by
one's surroundings does not only refer to a street in the
downtown area of the city.
Try to get all the adults to work a little harder at making
meal time a Torah-interesting and fun time for everyone
(school age and up). If the menfolk get heated over some
intricate lomdus, ask them to bring it to the general
level for all to appreciate or suggest they pursue it
properly, with texts, after the meal.
Encourage sons and husbands to use coming home by bus, car
or foot as time for thinking about relevant points from the
parsha or short interesting Torah topics.
Make it a rule to have some dvar Torah even at EACH
weekday meal, preferably before bentching. It can be
prepared on a rotation basis, with everyone responsible for
something at some time, even kindergarten children!
To be continued...
