It is difficult to sever ourselves from what is going on outside the world of world of Torah. The atmosphere of Shavuos is in direct contrast to the rising persecution of the world of Torah and its adherents so apparent these days. I would like to clarify that the Torah has no significance in that other world while the persecution has a direct impact on us.
These are the opening words of HaRav Margolios, Rav of Carmiel.
They say that the Rav of Brisk noted while the atmosphere preceding Yom Kippur is so publicly visible and apparent but in direct contrast, Shabbos does not share that public awareness. This is because Yom Kippur comes only one day a year while Shabbos comes every week.
We can say that by us, as well, Yom Kippur is more weighty, being more holy and this is reflected upon the public at large. The same goes here: if we see how intense is the persecution of the Torah public, it shows that we, ourselves, do not attribute enough respect and importance to Torah study and the privilege of sanctifying ourselves to that cause.
I believe that Shavuos 5785 should be like a milestone to teach us the advantage of Torah study and cherish it more and more.
It is not that we don't recognize what Torah is, but despite the fact that it is being studied in botei medrash filled to capacity and in halls of Torah reverberating with the toil of Torah, we are not actually living it with our 248 limbs and 365 sinews nor are we fully aware of the fact that is the breath and breadth of our lives. If we do see this in the street, it obligates us to highly regard it with greater deference and affection.
How can this find expression? It can be measured by our care not to waste even a minute of time. There is a quote attributed to Maran HaRav Shach ztzvk'l that wasting time from Torah is like pursuing. When a person runs after another in order to kill him, it is already considered as a fait accompli.
We don't realize that missing out on five minutes of study is compared to five minutes severed from life, in other words, what we might call 'killing time' is actually like murdering time. This definition supplies us with a yardstick of to what degree we must highly regard and not belittle the value of every single minute of study.
We are familiar with what Chazal said about one who studies Torah in torn segments. This gives us a nudge to see if we sufficiently appreciate and revere what we study and if we value every single moment. They told that before marrying off a grandson, HaRav Shack posted an invitation on the Ponovezh bulletin board. Similar notices were usually signed by the grandfather himself but he refused to do, saying, "It is the privilege of the parents to sign and invite the public but that I should be a partner in the bitul Torah that goes along with it?!"
Let me elaborate, continues HaRav Margolios:
There are many times when I would prefer to learn in continuity without interruption but my heart knows well enough that there are many obstacles and interferences and it does not work out. Why is such continuity so important?
The answer is that the Torah is perfect and whole, "it revives the soul." The Torah actually encompasses the power of resuscitation. One who devotes himself totally as he should, gains the power of his study becoming refreshing and reviving. But this is only if he appreciates this aspect, and does not reduce his study time to short segments as a time.
HaRav Margolios is the rav of Carmiel.
