No Laughing Matter
I was once passing by the yeshiva in Lyon, when I heard raucous laughter coming from the windows of the Beit Hamidrash. Baffled and very bothered, I entered the study hall. To my utter surprise, I was met by the sight of a Jewish man, who had the Torah students in stitches with his litany of laughs. He was treating them to an assortment of jokes and riddles. Those in his proximity were riveted to his witticisms and chortled with delight.
Obviously, this was most disturbing to the rest of the students. “If you can’t beat them, join them,” they felt. Since they could not focus on their studies anyway, they joined the session of scoffers.
I could not remain silent in the face of such brazen shame of Torah, as well as bitul Torah. I turned to the students and told them that the times of Torah study must be consecrated for Torah study alone, and not chalilah, for mockery and jesting. I added, to lend credence to my words, the words of the Gemara (Avodah Zarah 2b) which says that in the future, Hashem will take a Sefer Torah and announce that whoever was involved in its study should come and receive his reward.
“You will surely be among those who will claim reward for the many hours spent in Torah study each day,” I said. “But when Hashem will investigate whether or not you were actually engrossed in your studies, He will take note of what just went on here a few minutes ago. ‘Is this your definition of Torah study?’ He will ask. ‘Jokes and laughter which disturb those who wish to learn?!’
“You should know that even if you do teshuvah for your own bitul Torah, and truly improve in this area, you can never repair the bitul Torah of others which you are responsible for. On the great Day of Judgment, you will hang your heads in shame, sincerely regretting your misdeeds.”
As I left the Beit Hamidrash, there was a feeling of remorse in the air. The students truly regretted their wrongdoings and returned to their studies with renewed vigor.
