Rabbi's Blog

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of spending time with my children and grandchildren. Before going to school the kids have time in the morning to play with their myriad of toys and games. Some toys are just strewn around the house while other toys, like the blocks, have been built into something. Puzzles are assembled and certain games are in order. After everybody left for work and school, I began to clean up but stopped, wondering if I should clean up those toys that were neatly assembled and actually put together. I thought about this for a minute, and proceeded to take apart the pieces, putting them back into their containers, organizing them on the shelves in the playroom. Why did I decide to put them away, risking my grandchildren arriving home to wonder what happened to their masterpieces? Why didn’t I have them clean it up in the first place?

The answer to the second question is there wasn’t enough time since they needed to get to school. In the evening, play is concluded with ‘clean-up’ (mind you I am speaking about a two and a three-year old) on their level. But I cleaned up everything so that when they come to play the next time their toys and games will be fresh and exciting to them all over again. They don’t remember the exact way they left things and would probably take apart whatever they had previously built when they come home. The lesson is that when things are put back there is a sense of freshness and newness not present when things are strewn all over the floor. I wanted to create that excitement for them, so I put everything back where it belonged.

There is no question that a home filled with toys on the floor and a mess all around is a healthy sign of happy children in a warm environment. There is also no question that children need to be taught to pick up and clean up after themselves. Even adults recognize the quality of a freshly-made bed to an unmade, previously slept-in bed. The old question of ”Why should I make my bed in the morning; I’m just going to sleep in it again tonight and mess it up” is answered within the same frame as the toys: Having a fresh, new appearance makes it all that much more attractive.

The title of this piece, “Cleanliness is next to Godliness” has a few interpretations. Some explain that this cliché is something we say which means that except for worshipping God; the most important thing in life is to be clean. There is no clear source for this expression. We do know that Pinchas Ben Yair is quoted in Gemara Avoda Zara 20b with a list of character traits- middos - that build upon one another. The format of Sefer Miselas Yesharim, authored by Reb Moshe Chaim Luzzatto, is predicated upon the words of Pinchas Ben Yair. The trait of ‘Nekiyus’ loosely translated as cleanliness, falls somewhere in the middle of the ladder in climbing towards complete attachment to Hashem. Judaism doesn’t necessarily look at these traits in the physical but rather in the spiritual sense. Nekiyus, cleanliness, is the idea that a person be completely clean of bad traits and sins, not only those which are recognized as such, but also those which are rationalized. Being clean in this context is, in reality, next to Godliness.

Nevertheless, kedusha and holiness is found in a place that can focus on being clean from sin and wrongdoing. Man is able to perform and be successful in an environment that lends itself to success. Surely, while children are playing, the area will be full of toys.  Similarly, when an adult is eating, trash will be created as a result of eating the meal. As long as children are playing with respect, and the meal is of ‘kosher means’, this can be an effective way of coming closer to God. In order to maintain that connection, the cleaning process is that which carries on the clinging to Hashem. It is our surroundings that should make us aware of God’s presence within and around us. I believe this concept is found in this week’s Parsha.

In Parshas VaYeitzay, Yakov ends up sleeping on a rock and has a dream of angels going up and own a ladder. Upon waking up he remarks in Bereishis 28:17: “Vayira VaYomar Mah Norah HaMakom HaZeh Ein Zeh Ki Im Beis Elokim VZeh Sha’ar HaShamayim”. “And he became frightened and said, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the abode of God and this is the gate of the Heavens”. How did Yakov know this and thereby intrinsically feel this holiness? I would venture to say during the course of events that led Yakov to this place that he was constantly praying to God and literally kept away from sin. As he was clean of sin, he automatically became close to God. We know that Hashem is everywhere; at this time – “Im Beis Elokim - Yakov could actually see and feel Hashem’s presence. Because he was clean from sin he became more intimately attached to Hashem.

In today’s day and age without the Beis HaMikdash, every Shul is considered a Mikdash M’At -  a small sanctuary. We need to view the Shul as a place of Hashem and as God’s place. That being the case how is it possible for us to tolerate trash strewn all over the property after we finish using it? How is it possible for parents to allow their children to leave a playground without instructing them to clean up after themselves or to set the example for their children by assisting in the clean-up? Moreover, maintaining clean, respectable grounds gives honor to the institution, its members, and ultimately to God.

It is incumbent upon every man, woman and child to clean up after themselves in Shul. The following list is only a sampling: Any food-related items, whether it be a used cup, plate, napkin or utensil, should be thrown out, i.e. placed into a trash bin. Every book, siddur, Chumash, sefer should be returned to the place from which it had been taken. Every chair that is moved should be returned to its original location. Personal clothing items should not be left around; they should be picked up and returned to their rightful owner. Let us clean up “our toys” so that the next time we want to use them we will easily find them.  Similarly, the space which we are using, by being kept orderly, will appear fresh, clean and new in our eyes and hearts, bringing us closer to the Almighty.

Ah Gut Shabbos

Rabbi Avraham Bogopulsky