Parashat Hukat- Turning Off the Cell Phone
The Torah in Parashat Hukat presents the laws relevant to the Para Aduma (red heifer), whose ashes were used to divest people and utensils of their status of Tum’a (ritual contamination). In this context the Torah discusses the laws of Tum’a that apply to those who are under the same roof as a human corpse. The Torah writes, "This is the Torah [law] regarding a person who dies in a tent" (19:14).
The Sages of the Talmud noted that this verse may allude to a different concept, as well, namely, the approach we should have toward Torah learning: "Torah is sustained only within one who kills himself over it." According to this reading, the phrase, "a person who dies in a tent" is the description of how we should go about our Torah study – like someone who "dies in a tent."
What does it mean that one should "kill himself" over Torah, that we should be "dead" in regard to learning?
One explanation is that we should study Torah without any interruption, as though we were "dead." A dead person does not receive phone calls, cannot attend any meetings, has no access to e-mail, and is not available for consultation. The Talmud teaches that we should be similarly "dead" with respect to the period allotted for Torah learning. During that period, we should be no more accessible than a dead person. That time is sacred, designated exclusively for learning and for nothing else.
Today, this precept has become exceedingly difficult to follow. Modern technology has given us cell phones and other gadgets that make us accessible at all times, no matter where we are. Not too long ago, a man in the Bet Midrash could be reached only for emergencies, by calling the nearest payphone. But today, it is harder than ever to act "dead," to turn off all the communication devices and focus one’s attention exclusively on the material one is studying without thinking or worrying about anything else.
I had a morning study partner who was a very successful businessman. His policy was that he did not answer any phone calls until 1 pm every day. When we finished our learning session and he checked his fourteen or so messages, he discovered that the vast majority of the issues and problems for which he was called in the morning were somehow resolved by 1 pm. An employee, for example, would call with a frantic problem at 9:00, and at 11:00 he would call back to report that the issue had worked itself out. Had this study partner not turned off his phone for those hours, he would have spent most of the time resolving problems that could have worked themselves out without him. He understood the importance of "dying in the tent," of making himself "dead" for Torah learning.
Unfortunately, this problem has affected prayer in the synagogue, as well. People find it too difficult to pull themselves away from their communication devices even during prayer services. All too often we see people in the synagogue checking and sending messages when they are supposed to be focusing on the messages they wish to send to the Almighty.
Let us overcome this challenge and ensure to turn the gadgets off when the time comes to devote our minds to God and to Torah. These periods of prayer and learning are simply too valuable and precious to waste. Rather than allow ourselves to be distracted, we must make the most of these opportunities for meaningful and devoted engagement in prayer and study.
