Parasha Thoughts
By Rabbi Shlomo Zargari
Shalom, in Parashat Kedoshim we find a small parasha filled with many mitzvot. Among the commandments we have:
×ֶת־שַ×בְּתֹתַ֣י תִּשְ×מֹ֔רוּ וּמִקְדָּשִ×Ö–×™ תִּירָ֑×וּ ×Ö²× Ö´Ö–×™ ה’׃
You shall keep My Shabbats and venerate My sanctuary: I am HaShem.( Vayikra 19,30)
This is the mitzva of fearing the temple: not to enter the Temple Mount (when the Temple is in operation, because now it is absolutely forbidden to enter the Temple Mount ) with shoes, wallet and dirt on one’s feet. All this is included in the Mitzva: ×ž×•×¨× ×ž×§×“×© “Awe of the Temple.†The Navi ( Yehezkel 11,16) calls the synagogues and study halls בתי מדרש, diminished temples, and our sages write that the laws of “Awe of the Temple†apply to these structures as well.
The Shulhan Aruch ( Orah Hayim 151) writes one may not be lightheaded or speak mundane words in a synagogue. The Tosfot Yom Tov wrote a special prayer for those who are careful not to speak during prayer! How can we apply the law about not bringing the wallet to our time? For sure cell phones would be the most appropriate candidate!!!
By putting our phones away during prayer we show our children how much respect we have for our synagogues and places of Torah learning. When we accept upon ourselves that the moment we step into a synagogue we have entered a holy place, our demeanor and manner of sitting changes.The Hafes Hayim asked, “Why did our Hachamim add so many prayers at the end of Birkat Hamazon?†He answered, “Being that this is a Mitzva, when you perform it you create a moment of goodwill in the heavens and therefore your prayers will have a better chance of being accepted!â€
It goes without saying that when a person is careful with the sanctity of the place of prayer and Torah learning, his prayers have a much better chance of being accepted. AMEN!
Shabbat Shalom