“…and you delve into them…” (Devarim 6:7)

Rashi tells us that most of one’s speech should be in Torah and all else should be secondary. “Idle chatter” is known to us as “bitul Torah” and we are very familiar with its negative aspects. There is a question about Tisha B’Av (which just passed) that is discussed by the poskim. On Tisha B’Av one is not permitted to learn Torah, for learning Torah brings spiritual joy. On Tisha B’Av one is permitted to learn things which generally bring a person down. There is a question as to whether one is obligated to learn these topics (Rav Elyashiv in Kovetz Teshovos 3:168), or if the day of Tisha B’Av itself suspends the obligation of learning Torah, however there is heter to learn these particular topics (Kaf Hachayim 554:10). But it’s clear, that as one is not supposed to have a hesech hadas from the mourning of Tisha B’Av, idle conversation is certainly inappropriate. However, on regular days, most of us have difficulty not getting involved in things which could possibly be deemed devarim beteilim.

In Yiddish there is an expression “Mikvah news”. It seems that many people, when they are undressed, lose their dignity and speak improperly. They seem to do this just to have a good time. Therefore, the value of such chatter is negligible. Rav Chaim Volozhoner’s brother Rav Zalman, who was an amazing person, had an opposite approach. When he would be in the bathhouse, he would have conversations about politics or science, dazzling the people with whom he spoke. They found it hard to believe that this person who had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of the world around us could also be such a great masmid. However, when they asked him for an explanation, they were shocked to find out that the exact opposite was the truth. His only real interest and passion was Torah. However, he came up with this great idea to pursue general knowledge, in order to find something to keep his mind busy in the places where it is forbidden to learn Torah. In order to make sure that he wouldn’t have Torah thoughts in these places, he made sure to get very absorbed in these secular topics.

In recent years I heard from a student of Chacham Ben Tzion Abba Shaul Z”L that when he would go to relieve himself, he had two bochurim standing outside, each one reading aloud a different newspaper at the same time in order to keep his mind occupied and not learn. It seems that regarding newspapers that there isn’t enough intelligence in just one paper to keep one’s mind occupied, and so he needed two!

Those ideas are very lofty and distant from many of us. But the issue is especially true at this time of year when many people go on vacation. I would like to offer a piece of advice which I heard in the name of Reb Hillel Zaks Z”L, from when he was the Rosh Yeshiva of the Chevron Yeshiva. He said that if you read a newspaper, make sure that the content is on an intellectual level that you will have something to repeat to someone, even tomorrow.

When we go on vacation, which is proper to do as we need to recharge our batteries, we too should ensure that we do things that we will be happy to remember at a later date and even want to share with others.

Have an enriching summer!