יום א Date: 22 Elul, 5776 (9/25/16) – Bava Kama Daf 117 {Eliezer}

COMPLETE COUNTINGS

[117a bottom] Rav advised R’ Kahana not to ask R’ Yochanan questions during his lectures for seven years [as this would be a form of atonement].
Radbichai: Since the number seven reflects entirety and completeness, the seven years would have provided adequate atonement. This is why when R’ Kahana was moved back exactly seven rows (for not asking good questions), it showed him how to understand complete humility. R’ Yochanan also showed entire apologeticness (after realizing how great R’ Kahana actually was) by taking out exactly seven rugs from underneath him (one for every great question that R’ Kahana asked him).

D-E-ep Thoughts: Just like we dunk 7 times in a Mikvah, wrap ourselves 7 times with our Tefillin, and walk 7 times around under the Chuppah, we should always look to completely devote ourselves and demonstrate absolute commitments to special people and projects in our lives. It is not good enough to do “mostly” good, we need to be COMPLETELY good. We should make practical plans to succeed by demonstrating accountability for success with other partners and filling out daily checklists on spreadsheets.