The Hashkafa Of Beliot
What hashkafic lessons may we draw from the halachot of beliot and davar charif? Here are some suggestions:
Keilim
We reject Torah taught by a non-believing or non-observant Jew. Although the Torah he teaches might be kosher, the “vessel” holding the Torah is definitely not. “Impure vessels” irreparably taint the Torah they teach.
Jews are the vessels holding the Torah since we learn and observe it, which is an awesome responsibility. Our unique Torah personality and thoughts add a special flavor to our Torah learning and observance. Hashem summons us to elevate ourselves and make ourselves worthy of this most noble task!
Absorbing Torah
Our love of Torah should not be superficial. Instead, we must deeply internalize it. To that end, the Kriat Shema reminds us of the Torah’s command to discuss Torah incessantly, on the road, in our homes, when we wake and when we go to sleep. In other words, the Torah must be balua, absorbed inside us. We must become a “Torah utensil” as a dish becomes “meaty” when we place burning hot meat on it. We eschew absorbing foreign values that would, God forbid, render us “non-kosher” vessels spewing non-kosher beliot.
How does such absorption occur? There are two means: One is intense “heat”—feeling, passion and emotion. The second is through penetrating and sharp Torah learning, a davar charif. The Gemara (Megillah 7a) refers to deep Torah insights as a pilpalta charifta, a sharp pepper.
The story is told of Vilna Gaon, who saved Jews from non-Jewish hooligans just by appearing before them in his Tefillin. The Vilna Gaon noted the pasuk (Devarim 28:10): “verau kol amei haaretz ki shem Hashem nikra alecha, veyaru mimeka—and the nations will see Hashem’s name called on us and they will fear us.” The Gemara (Menachot 35b) says the pasuk refers to the tefillin sheberosh (tefillin placed on the head).
Subsequently, a young Jew tried to save himself by wearing tefillin and was unsuccessful. He asked the Vilna Gaon for an explanation. The great sage replied that the Gemara speaks of tefillin sheberosh, which means “tefillin inside the head”—not just tefillin one placed on the head.
In other words, for the bracha to take hold, we must internalize tefillin’s messages. In kashrut language, the tefillin must be balu’a inside the head to be effective. The same applies to every aspect of Torah.
Continuous Absorption
Torah absorption must be continuous and unrelenting. It must be imbibed daily; otherwise, it becomes “eino ben yomo—stale” and “gives off a bad taste—notein taam lifgam.” However, a “davar charif” or perhaps, only an “ultra davar charif” (such as asafetida, chiltit) can rehabilitate and revitalize a “taam lifgam” to become a “taam lishvach.”
Conclusion
Happy (ashrei)—nay thrilled—are those who are deeply immersed and profoundly enthralled by Torah observance and learning. May we all merit becoming “balua”—absorbed and overflowing
with the Torah, the “sam chayim”—the elixir of life, in this and the next world!
Rabbi Jachter serves as the rav of Congregation Shaarei Orah, rebbe at Torah Academy of Bergen County and a get administrator with the Beth Din of Elizabeth. Rabbi Jachter’s 18 books may be purchased at Amazon and Judaica House.
