The Power of Learning on Shavuos

It is the custom for many people to stay up the entire night of Shavuos learning.

Shnayim Mikrah V'Echod Targum - Continuation

As noted, it is an obligation to recite the parsha twice along with one reading of the commentary and/or Targum (Aramaic translation by Onkelos). (Shulchan Aruch, siman 285)

WHAT IS ONE OF THE "SECRETS" TO INCREASE ONE'S LONGEVITY?

The gemara (Berachos 8b), in its discussion of shnayim mikrah v'echod Targum (Twice reading [the portion] and once with explanation (Targum)), says the following:

"All who finish his parshios with the community, they increase his days and years."

THE BENEFITS OF LEARNING RASHI AND TARGUM

According to the Ta"Z, reading of the Targum is preferable in that it was given at Har Sinai, while reciting RaSH"I is preferable in that it explains the Torah more than does Targum. At the very least, one should recite some commentary on each pasuk (verse) in order to complete the mitzvah of reciting the entire parsha with commentary. If possible, one should try to recite the parsha with both RaSH"I and Targum.

WHEN TO COMPLETE SHNAYIM MIKRAH

According to the Shulchan Aruch (Siman 285, Sif 4): "The choicest way [to perform] the mitzvah [of shnayim mikrah] is to complete it before one eats [Shabbos lunch], if he did not complete it before he ate, he should complete until Mincha (afternoon prayer), and there are those who say until Wednesday, and there are those who say [he has] until Shmini Atzeres (until the time the Torah reading is completed on Simchas Torah)."


PLEASE NOTE: Click on the title to link to an article with a more comprehensive discussion of the mitzvah of Shnayim Mikrah v'echod Targum.

Shnayim Mikrah V'Echod Targum

It is an obligation for one to review the weekly Torah portion, twice reading the text and once with the Targum - either the Aramaic, RaSH"I, or preferably both.

More Chiddushim

MORE CHIDDUSHIM

2) The tribe of Zevulun had a population of 57,400 (Bamidbar - ch. 3). They were the tribe that was involved in regional trade in order to support the Torah learning of Yissachar. The two tribes made a deal that Zevulun would spend their time in trade and Yissachar would benefit from the monetary support, free to learn. Zevulun had a share in the Torah learning of Yissachar and received the spiritual rewards for the Torah learning due to their monetary support. 57 = זן - sustain (zon) and 400 = ת, therefore, the 57,400 of the tribe of Zevulun signifies זנת, "you sustained" (related to "food"). In Pirkei Avos the rabbis teach us, "im ain kemach, ain Torah..." - "If there is no flour, there is no Torah, if there is no Torah, there is no flour." This teaching fits perfectly with the mutually beneficial relationship of the tribes of Yissachar - Torah - and Zevulun - sustenance (flour).

3) זבולן - Zevulun - This word can be divided in two - זבול and ן - The tribe of Zevulun can take the credit for bringing down 50 levels of understanding and holiness into the world as a result of their support of Torah (50 = the letter nun) from the Heavenly Abode (Zevul means the "Heavenly Abode").

New!! Chiddushim - Torah Insights

This week's parsha (Torah portion) is Bamidbar. I hope to present, im yirtzeh HaShem (G-d Willing), chiddushim (Torah insights) on the parsha or other parts of the Torah on a fairly regular basis.

We learn in the Book of Iyov (Job) (11:9) that the Torah contains more wisdom than the width of the land and by learning Torah, one may merit to attain a chiddush - an insight into the Torah which is "new" as it had not been brought forth (in this world) until the individual attained that chiddush.

Disclaimer: Though these are my Torah thoughts, it is possible that the same chiddush had been arrived at by someone prior.

TODAY'S CHIDDUSH

1) In Bamidbar (2; 6), we learn that the population of the shevet (tribe) of יששכר - Yissachar was 54,400 (during their 2nd year in the Sinai desert). יששכר learned Torah and was supported by the tribe of זבולן - Zevulun. (Zevulun conducted business in the region, traveling by ship.) Yissachar was so prominent in Torah, that, according to RaSH"I, (Bamidbar: 3; 38), they produced 200 heads of Sanhedrins (Jewish courts). The gematria of 54,400 - 54 = דן - judge (don), while 400 = ת, thus arriving at דנת - "you judged" (donta).

YOSHON AND CHODOSH: Old Grain and New Grain

Yoshon, literally "old", refers to the "old grain" that took root before the previous 16th of Nissan and is permitted to eat, according to Torah law. Chodosh, literally "new", refers to the "new grain" that took root on or after the previous 16th of Nissan and, according to Torah law, is forbidden to eat.

(פסוק יד) ולחם וקלי וכרמל לא תאכלו, עד עצם היום הזה:עד הביאכם, את קרבן א-להיכם: חקת עולם לדרתיכם, בכל משבתיכם. [ס]

"And bread, and roasted (grain), and roasted (grain) sheaves you shall not eat until the middle of this day, until you will bring the offering of your G-d, an eternal law for your generations, in all of your dwelling places." (Vayikra: 23, 14)

The above is the source for the Torah prohibition for eating chodosh. Chodosh refers to any of the five types of grain (barley, rye, oat, wheat, and spelt) that took root after the 16th of the month of Nissan.

Definition of "taking root": In order to determine which grains are permitted and which are forbidden, it is necessary to know the halachic (Jewish legal) period of time the grain takes to have taken root (from the time of planting). Today, we follow the ruling of Rabbi Yossi - The grain takes two weeks to take root. The RaMBa"M (Maimonides) rules according to Rabbi Yossi - the grain takes two weeks to be considered to have taken root. (Laws of Ma'aser Sheni and Neta Rivai: Ch. 9, Mishna 8) The other halachic ruling (the one we do not hold by today) is by Rabbi Yehuda - grain takes root after three days - Pesachim 55a.

There is much discussion among the rabbinic commentators precisely when the grain must take root in order to be permitted after the omer offering on the 16th of Nissan. To avoid getting involved in the specifics, it is best (and in my opinion, simplest) to follow the ruling of the Shulchan Aruch (Yorah Deah: Siman 293, Sif 3): "Grain that has not taken root before the 16th of Nissan is forbidden [for use] until the next [year's] Omer [offering]." Therefore, in order to halachically ensure that the grain will be yoshon, it must be sowed by the first day of Nissan. As the Jewish calendar is a lunar calendar, it is not consistent with the solar calendar. For example, the grain must be sowed by (the day of) March 20 in 2007 or April 6 in 2008 to be able to be used prior to the 17th of Nissan of the following year (April 22, 2008 and April 11, 2009, respectively - outside of Israel, one would have to wait one more day outside the Land of Israel).

Above: Spring Wheat - Chodosh or Yoshon in its first year?

The Torah prohibition which does not allow the eating of chodosh applies in Israel. There is a rabbinic dispute as to whether chodosh applies to grains grown outside Eretz Yisroel (The Land of Israel).

CHODOSH AND GRAIN GROWN OUTSIDE THE LAND OF ISRAEL:

According to the Shulchan Aruch (Siman 293, Sif 2), "The prohibition of the chodosh applies both in the Land of Israel and outside the Land of Israel, whether [of grain] belonging to a Jew or [belonging to a] non-Jew." Other Torah greats who hold that the Torah prohibition of chodosh applies all over the world include the RaMBa"M (Laws of Forbidden Foods: Chapter 10, mishnah 2), RI"F, author of Sefer HaChinuch. The RI"F holds that the prohibition is a safek d'oraisa (possibly a Torah law that applies) outside Eretz Yisroel. See also maseches Menachos 70a. According to the RaMBa"M and the author of Sefer HaChinuch, if one eats of foods made from chodosh grain, he/she is liable for malkus.

It is important to note that outside the Land of Israel, it is forbidden to eat chodosh grain (according to rabbinic law) until the 18th of Nissan - the fourth day of Passover, while inside the Land of Israel, one must wait until the 17th of Nissan (the third day of Passover) until all chadash becomes yashan.

Others argue that grain grown outside of Eretz Yisroel (with the exception of nearby lands), the prohibition of chodosh does not apply. These rabbis include the ROS"H, Ba"CH, Magen Avraham, and Rabbi Akiva Eiger as well as Kiddushin 37a.

To conclude, there is whom to rely upon even if one wishes to eat from grain grown, for example, in America that would otherwise be considered "chodosh". However, nowadays, there are many kosher products in America that are marked as "yoshon". In addition, from what I have seen, a majority of poskim have ruled that chodosh does apply to grain grown outside Eretz Yisroel.

If one wishes to follow the Shulchan Aruch (and many others) and be careful to avoid eating from chodosh grain, no matter where it is grown, he/she should contact Rabbi Yosef Herman, an expert in the field of yoshon. Rabbi Herman provides booklets noting which products are permissible to the yoshon-eating public, when during the year they are permitted, as well as what restaurants are certified as yoshon-friendly. For Rabbi Herman's website, click here, his e-mail is: yherman@earthlink.net. Pass this information on to friends, enjoy, and bon appetite.

The OU has an informative article on yoshon.

Bands, Loud Music, and Torah Law: Don't Let M'u'sic Make you Sick!

Above: A detailed diagram of the various components of the human ear.

Music has been used throughout Jewish history to make people happy, often to strengthen their service of HaShem. In the Beis HaMikdash (Jewish Temple in Jerusalem), in the Simchas Beis HaShoeivah (celebration for the drawing of water), there was much celebration and music. In fact, many Levites were present to play instruments to add joy to the occasion. If one listens to the proper type of music, in the proper way, one can come closer to HaShem, just as the Jews did by listening to the music in the Beis HaMikdash. However, listening to inappropriate music, and even otherwise appropriate music in an inappropriate manner, causes one to distance one from HaShem. How? Read on!

What is classified as "inappropriate music"?

If one listens to the typical band/orchestra, the decibel (dB) level could easily reach 125 decibels. 125 decibels is "enough to cause permanent hearing loss in a fairly short time". That is, after one exposure to a typical length performance, attendees can be suffering permanent hearing loss. So, apparently many performers prefer the imagined "loss of income" over the likely loss of hearing (temporary or permanent). These performers often feel that their livelihoods are at stake if they do not play loudly enough to "satisfy" the attendees.

WHAT DOES THE TORAH SAY ABOUT LOUD MUSIC AND OTHER WAYS ONE CAN DAMAGE ANOTHER'S HEARING?

1) In the Talmud, we learn as follows:

"...If he makes him deaf, he pays his (the victims') entire value" (Bava Kamma 85b).

RaSH"I comments on the above that one who causes another deafness has to pay the entire market-value as a deaf person "is not fitting for anything". The Talmud discusses other types of bodily damage, listing the fine of the damager as significantly less than the punishment of one who inflicts deafness upon another. Rabbeinu Yonah says, the person is no longer worth anything when he is lacking his bodily function of hearing. Meaning, hearing is such an essential component in a person's existence that lacking it takes away a significant part of his value (assuming his value on the market, his total value).

2) In Torah law, if one causes injury to oneself (as well as to another), they transgress "bal tashchis d'gufo". "Bal tashchis d'gufo" is the prohibition for one to cause any type of injury or damage to oneself or to another. Examples of transgressing this prohibition is smoking and playing loud music.

3) "Chovel B'Chavero": This is the prohibition of one who "causes damage to another".

4) "V'Ahavta L'Reiacha Kamocha": The Torah commandment to "love your fellow as yourself". One is obligated to act toward another in a way that demonstrates consideration for the other person. When one plays loud music that potentially damages another's hearing, he/she is transgressing the Torah commandment of "love your fellow as yourself".

5) "Chillul HaShem": "Profaning the Name of G-d" - When a Jew transgresses the Torah by misrepresenting the Torah, especially in a way that potentially brings others (both Jew and non-Jew) to look upon them, and, consequently, at the Torah way of life in a disdainful way, they commit the severe sin of "profaning the Name of G-d". When Jewish bands play music at an unhealthily loud volume, they misrepresent the Torah. People may look down upon Torah law for "allowing" such loud music. The Torah actually prohibits such loud music for a number of reasons (at least some of them are mentioned here).

6) Theft (according to the Torah): Aside from stealing by damaging hearing, a band can transgress the Torah prohibition of theft by refusing to lower the volume of their music. If the people who hire the band request the band to lower the volume and they refuse, only to walk out of the simcha (celebration) rather than play less loudly, they are stealing from those who hire them.

WHAT SCIENCE SAYS ABOUT LOUD MUSIC:

Above: A diagram of how sound enters the ear.

Recently, society has accustomed itself to especially loud music. This, in light of the fact that the hearing health care community has been aware for over 100 years of the damage caused by loud noise. Nonetheless, bands often play at 120-130 decibels. At such high levels of sound intensity, the music can cause damage, either temporary or permanent. The U.S. government, under OSHA's (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) mandatory occupational noise standard, declared that exposure levels may never exceed a ceiling level of 115 dB. (Encarta) According to Brian Fligor, an audiologist at Boston Children's Hospital, "Noise-induced hearing loss develops so slowly and insidiously that we don't know it's happened until it's too late." According to Marshall Chasin, director of auditory research at the Musicians' Clinic of Canada, "Over the last twenty years, environmental noise has doubled each decade, everything is louder -- phones ring louder, movies are louder, construction noise is louder. And rock & roll is a big part of it." The dangers of loud music are only beginning to be accepted by the public. In San Francisco, an ordinance was passed recently that requires venues to provide attendees with free earplugs. (Rolling Stone)

Above: The diagram on the left is a picture of someone with undamaged hearing. On the right, someone with damaged hearing, likely a result of being exposed to excessively loud music. (Picture courtesy of shurenotes.com)

Noise-induced hearing loss affects both the quantity and the quality of sound. Understanding human speech becomes difficult because words become indistinct. Excessive sound exposure damages hearing by over-stimulating the tiny hair cells within the inner ear. There are between 15,000 and 20,000 of these microscopic sensory receptors in the cochlea (coke-lee-ah). When these hair cells are damaged, they no longer transmit sound to the brain.

Above, a diagram of the inner ear, including the cochlea. When the hairs in the cochlea are damaged, there is no way to reverse the damage; hearing loss is permanent.

According to Greg Flamme, a committee member of the National Hearing Conservation Association, the following are four symptoms that indicate hearing damage:

1) Tinnitis (high-pitched ringing in one's ears)

2) Sounds seem “too quiet”

3) It is difficult to understand one who is speaking quietly to them

4) The ears feel “plugged up”

After hearing a loud band for a few minutes, I have experienced at least three of the four symptoms. I got earplugs that lower the decibels by 30, and, nevertheless, the “music” still sounded loud even while wearing the earplugs. If the band, which played in an indoor basketball court, was playing at 120-130 decibels, then the earplugs cut it down to 90-100 decibels, still an unsafe level of noise to be exposed to (though .1% of the intensity of the true level of the music). Bands generally play between 119 dB and 140 dB. Often those sitting right by the speakers experience 140 dB, while those sitting in the back of the audience experience 120 dB. This dB level, even in the back of the room, is of sufficient intensity to cause long-term hearing damage after one typical attendance, often permanent.

The maximum time that one can safely listen to music at 100 dB is one hour. If one listens to 100 dB for two hours, they need to give their ears a 16 hour break to avoid permanent hearing loss. (BBC Health)

NIHL (Noise Induced Hearing Loss) is hearing loss induced by loud noise which can either be temporary or permanent. This hearing loss can be brought on by one time noise or multiple exposure to loud noise. A person is born with 15,000 to 20,000 hearing cells. There are special hairs in the ear that transmit the sound to the brain. Once these hairs are damaged by loud noise, the damage is permanent. Unlike other types of hair, these hairs do not grow back. Temporary hearing loss is known as “temporary threshold shift” which generally disappears after 16 hours. Oftentimes, people experience symptoms of hearing loss, but do not notice much of a difference in their hearing in the long-term. However, permanent hearing loss often is painless and comes gradually. (shurenotes.com) After continued exposure to loud noise, people turn the volume higher, not recognizing their hearing loss, only to further negatively affect their hearing.

Noise, beginning at 85 dB (busy city traffic), can cause hearing damage after prolonged exposure. As the sound intensity increases, the safe amount of hearing time significantly decreases.

The difference in intensity of sound (dB) can be best understood as follows:

An individual who talks at the level of normal conversation speaks at about 60 dB. Ten people who speak at 60 dB registers at 70 dB, 100 people at normal conversation levels register at 80 dB, etc.

If one experiences the above symptoms, they have been exposed to an unsafe sound intensity.

Each day, one may be exposed to varying lengths of decibel intensity before experiencing permanent hearing damage. To give one an idea: For bands that play at 120 dB, one should not listen for more than 7.5 minutes a day, while if the music is 130 dB (the equivalent of a stereo on high), one should not listen for more than 110 seconds a day. NIOSH (National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health) estimates that it is unsafe to be exposed to 120 dB for more than about 10 seconds per day. OSHA calculates the permissible exposure time by halving the permissible time for every 5 dB increase (beginning at 16 hours for 85 dB), while NIOSH standards halve the permissible exposure time for every 3 dB increase (beginning at 8 hours for 85 dB) - click on the acronym for more information.

Hearing loss has steadily increased. From 1971 to 1990 individuals between the ages of 45 and 64 experienced an increase in hearing loss of 26%; those between 18 and 44 had a 17% increase in hearing loss and associated problems. A survey in California shows that hearing impairment in people in their 50s increased 150% between 1965 and 1994. (National Academy on an Aging Society) Noise Induced Hearing Loss is the most common occupational disability.

According to Dr. Robert Sweetow, director of audiology at the University of California, San Francisco, hearing loss is insidious and one may not notice the damage until it is too late. (San Francisco Chronicle)


A report in the San Francisco Chronicle notes that, “According to federal government safety standards, workers should not be exposed to noise above 90 decibels for more than eight hours. For every five-decibel increase, the permissible exposure time is cut in half. Although the recommended safe duration for exposure to 120 decibels is seven and a half minutes, many rock concerts lasting longer than an hour reach and maintain that volume level. Some hearing care professionals feel that these permissible levels are still too high.”


Approximately 28 million Americans, almost 10% of the population (295 million) experience hearing loss. Loud noise is the cause of hearing loss in 10 million citizens, or one out of every thirty Americans. Hearing loss is becoming such an epidemic that projections point to 78 million Americans suffering from such a disability by 2030. (Newsweek) Hearing loss not only affects the elderly. In fact, one study shows that approximately 5.2 million children in the U.S. between 6 and 19 suffer hearing damage, many of whom suffer as a result of amplified music (14.9% in that age group suffer hearing loss). To put this percentage in perspective: Approximately 15% of people between 45 and 65 suffer hearing loss. If hearing loss is on such a rapid increase, no wonder hearing loss is set to get significantly worse (now it is already very bad). That is, unless this crazy spiral of hazardous music is stopped and put in reverse. According to the American Tinnitus Association, 50 million Americans suffer from tinnitus (ringing in the ears), 12 million of whom seek medical attention due to the severity of the tinnitus.

The potential damage from one-time exposure to amplified music (such as from bands) is very real. Exposure to sound levels of 116 dB for any period of time is unsafe (Newsweek); 119 – 140 dB is the typical sound intensity from a rock band, according to the House Ear Institute. This is comparable (or louder) than putting a chainsaw right near the ear. The difference between those who listen to loud music and those who work with chainsaws is that the workers regularly wear hearing protection, whereas few of the people that expose themselves to loud music opt for earplugs.

SOME COMMON MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUT LOUD MUSIC:

1) "Hearing loss is caused mainly by aging": False.

True: Hearing loss is cumulative. It is more typical for loud noise to cause permanent hearing loss.

2) ""Sound Engineers" know what they are doing. Therefore, the volume they set the music is not at dangerous levels for hearing.": False.

True: About 99% of "sound engineers" have no training in acoustics and sound reinforcement. In addition, operation of potentially very damaging sound systems does not require any sort of qualification. With regard to sound intensity (dB), about 99% of these "sound engineers" do not measure the intensity of the music, rather judging "by ear". It is hard for one to accurately judge by ear the sound intensity. Many of these "sound engineers" have significant hearing loss as a result of being exposed to the loud music so frequently. Therefore, they may increase the volume to a very dangerous level so that it will "sound good" to their hearing damaged ears.

In 1986, testing of "night spots" in Halifax showed that in 64% of "night spots", patrons exposed to 1 hour of music suffered hearing loss. Patrons listening to 4 or more hours of music suffered hearing loss in 95% of "night spots".

3) Many band players claim that they need to play loud in order to satisfy potential customers. Someone told me that at a recent wedding, the parents of the bride and groom went over to the band to complain about the excessively loud music. The band refused to lower the volume and threatened to walk out in the middle of the wedding (with hundreds of guests) rather than play more quietly. They claimed that word would get around that they should not be hired because they play "too quietly". This claim that their livelihood would take a turn for the worse is PATENTLY FALSE.

True: Of course there are some people (who are reckless) and enjoy their music loud (especially those who have self-inflicted hearing damage). However, most people (and audiences) notice little difference between music played at 85 dB and 100 dB. However, in terms of hearing damage, the difference is vast; 100 decibels has 32 times the destructive power than 85 decibels. Many bands that play at weddings (chasunas) play at around 125 dB - 10,000 times the destructive power.

So, in light of the above, how could people enjoy loud music? Read on.

4) Most people who go to social events (night clubs, weddings, etc.) enjoy the loud music: False.

True: When people come to social events such as weddings, though they spend some time dancing, they spend much of the time talking to their friends and/or relatives (assuming they can hear each other). A great deal of these events is spent conversing with others. In fact, oftentimes people are disrupted from carrying on their conversations because of the excessively loud music. One of the clear signs of dangerously loud music is when people have to shout to one another in order to be understood. Shouting in someone else's ear only further causes damage to one's hearing.

Note: The source for the above misconceptions can be found by clicking this link.