The last several years have seen an increase in the number of
people studying the halochos of shemiras
haloshon on a daily basis, along with a growing awareness
of their importance among Jews from every walk of life --
avreichim and bochurim, baalei batim and
businessmen, women, schoolteachers and seminary students.
With the spread and expansion of daily study, the need arose
to help the public with a special volume that can be easily
carried around for use outside of the home. Besiyata
deShmaya the organization Notzrei Loshon is slated to
publish an edition of Chofetz Chaim (including
Be'er Mayim Chaim) arranged and laid out according to
the page-a- day timetable. The pages will be laminated and
distributed in a special folio notebook so that individual
pages can be removed for one-day use and the remainder of the
book can be left at home.
The soon-to-be-released edition features stiff pages that do
not get dirty or tear easily and can be transported and
handed to a friend while traveling. The pages can be laid on
every table in the dining room of the yeshivos
kedoshos to allow students to study while eating, or hung
on the wall in elevators, waiting rooms, clinics, teachers'
staff rooms, etc.
Rabbonim and gedolei Torah have encouraged the
initiative, saying this unique volume will contribute greatly
to study in public places and will help spur many people who
have not yet begun studying these halochos every day
to join the ranks of those who do.
The plan has been delayed only because of funding
difficulties. The special layout involves numerous expenses,
in addition to the regular costs of printing and
publishing.
The rabbonim who back the project said that people should be
made aware of the great zchus in disseminating the
book and its importance in memorializing those who have
passed away. Many people are in search of establishing a
memorial in Eretz Yisroel for their loved ones who have gone
to the Next World, yet not everyone can afford to build a
building or write a sefer Torah for the sake of
illui neshomoh.
Yet for a relatively small sum many merits can be brought for
the niftar. The rabbonim note that the Chofetz Chaim
himself wrote in Ahavas Chesed (Chapter 15) about the
great importance of doing acts of tzedokoh for the
soul of the departed, which constitutes "hatzoloh gedoloh
venachas ruach lenishmoso." He writes that when a family
member passes away one should establish a memorial for his
neshomoh through a mitzvah that remains throughout the
generations, and thus to the world he will be remembered as a
tzaddik. "Even if one lacks the ability to do so, one
should at least offer forth a commonly needed book and should
write the departed relative's name in it. Thus whenever it is
studied from it will bring nachas ruach to the
niftar. And I have seen many people follow this
practice," concludes the Chofetz Chaim.
However, not often is one presented with the opportunity--at
such a relatively small cost--to memorialize somebody in such
a meaningful way. Thousands upon thousands of dinim
and halochos will be learned everywhere from these
books whose study is so vital, as gedolei Torah have
stated. Every page will contain a line reminding learners to
mention the name of the niftar memorialized for that
day before beginning to study. (And those who sponsor a page
of the book may photocopy the page and distribute numerous
copies.)
To memorialize a relative in the special frame that will
appear on every page along with the date of the
petiroh, call (237) 688-1116 in the US or leave a
message on the voice mail at 02-5384702 (you may leave an
English message).
