Question:
At my office we have a daily minyan for mincha. After alenu, my boss asks me to say a few halachot or other divre Torah. Unfortunately, there are a few people present that don't seem to be so interested and feel that is needed to chat idle words in the middle of my dvar Torah.
Apart from the fact that it shows of poor manners to talk in the middle of someone else giving a speech, it seems to me to also be an affront to the kavod of the Torah. I don't mind if people are not interested in me personally, I'll ignore them and speak to those that are interested to listen (or at least pretend). But I don't want to create a situation of zilzul of the kedushah of the Torah. I don't expect anyone to spend time listening to me speak if they feel that they have better things to do (it is in the middle of their work), but then at least walk away.
People have multiple times asked them to please be quite, but letza'arenu, they don't seem to care.
I don't want to be responsible for creating a situation of zilzul of the kavod haTorah.
Is it therefor better for me to stop speaking if this continues, or should I just ignore it and not deprive those that are interested of hearing words of Torah?
It reminds me of what Eliyahu HaNavi zachur letov said to the people when I stood at Har HaCarmel. You have to choose between the ba'al or Hashem. You cannot worship both. You cannot have both kedushah and tum'ah in the same place. It doesn't work.
Please let me know what the rav thinks I should do.
Thanks!
Answer:
Hello,
It is understandable that their lack of derech eretz is an affront not only to the Torah but personally to you too. Giving a shiur to a few people is better than no shiur at all, as long as there are indeed some people that are interested. You have to do what is correct, (and the orders of your boss), their choice of not listening is their concern, s long as there is some toeles for some of the listeners.
Being that it is your boss that wants you to say the shiur, you can discuss this with him, and suggest to him that he ask these people to wothr have derech eretz of walk out, but not to disturb. There is a much better chance that these guys will listen to him. Another idea is to change the way you say the shiur, to a style that will catch thie attention. For example, to start off each shiur with a moshul, story, interest case in halacha, so that they night get interested. Everyone likes to hear stories, and this might get them interested, and hopefully they will start off being quiet, and stay that way.
Best wishes