Torah:
“For a mitzvah is a
lamp and Torah, light” (Proverbs
The mitzvos are like a lamp that
without it, there can be no light. The Torah can only shine into those that
fulfill what they learn. Study without performance is like holding a bulb in
your hands without it being screwed into a lamp. Do you expect it to shine for
you?
“If not for the
Torah, which must be studied day and night, there would not have been a heaven
and earth.” (Yirmiyah 33:25)
We can see from this that it is not enough for a person to
learn only at night or day. They must set times for learning during both night
and day.
“From all my mentors,
I have learned.” (Psalms 119:99)
It’s not enough to just learn from that person who’s opinion
you value the most. Every person has a special ingredient in them nobody else
has and this is something you can learn from.
“Moshe commanded us a
law, an inheritance of the congregation of Yaakov.” (Devorim 33:4)
The Torah is an inheritance to us and is therefore part of
the makeup of our self. To not review it would lead us away from our own
natural portrait. Without Torah, our life will be one of misery. The Torah
wasn’t just handed over to us; it was given to us as a commandment that we must
fulfill. We often take upon ourselves only the parts of the Torah that are
convenient to us.
“Open my eyes, so
that I may behold wondrous things out of Your Torah.” (Psalms 119:18)
The wonders of the Torah are there even in its simple
meaning. It’s only that we close our eyes from seeing what we are able.
“If you seek silver,
and search for it as for hidden treasures, then you shall… find the knowledge
of Hashem.” (Proverbs 2:4)
The scholars of previous generations didn’t reach their high levels by quitting when a difficult question arose. It only inspired them to search harder.
“For they [words of
Torah] are life to him who finds them, and healing to all his flesh.” (Proverbs
4:22)
If you are feeling ill, learn Torah. Torah is medicine for
the body and the soul. If you are feeling ill, first check to make sure you are
utilizing your time properly with Torah study being a priority. Should you put
it second when it should be first, you soul will become sick causing your body
to follow suit.
“But you who cleave
to Hashem your Hashem; he cries out and is immediately answered.” (Devarim 4:4)
Hashem answers those that learn Torah without delay. Do not
expect your prayers to be answered if you haven’t made an effort to learn Torah
that day.
“And it will be that
before they call I will answer”. (Yeshayahu 65:24)
Even before they call to Him, Hashem answers those that
cleave to Him.
“It [Torah] is not in
heaven.” (Devarim 30: 12:13)
Do not be mistaken in thinking Torah study in this world is
not as precious as that learned in the heavenly academy. The Zohar says that
each night the Tzaddikim and Hashem are listening to our Torah study and
finding pleasure from it. Even the simplest Jew, when he learns Torah in this
world, he is breaking his entire being in order to do so. Even his simple
learning becomes very powerful.
“Its ways are
pleasant ways, and all its paths are peace.” (Proverbs 3:17)
When a person’s life is devoted to Torah, then they find
that even bitterness is made sweet.
“Do not turn aside
from the thing that they tell you, right or left.”(Devarim 17:11)
Isn’t it enough to say not to turn away from the Torah, why does the Torah have to mention two directions? This is because the ways of evil disguise themselves and when you vary even slightly in one direction or another away from the Torah, they will overtake you. You will not even realize you have strayed. Even if your ways are righteous, you must still be careful that in you heart you are thinking straightly. Only through learning Torah and breathing it in our day to day activities, can we be sure to stay levelheaded.
“I have given you a
good teaching, My Torah, do not forsake it. (Proverbs 4:2)
The Torah isn’t just something you perform or read about. It
is something you must constantly review over and over again otherwise you are
sure to forsake it.
“All desired effects
cannot compare in value to it. (Proverbs 8:11)
A person can desire to accomplish many spiritual goals but
nothing can compare to the simple avodah, action of learning Torah Lishmah,
honestly.
“Its measure is longer than the earth, and
broader then the sea.”(Job 11:9)
A person can’t be rewarded in measure for their learning of
Torah because the power from the learning of Torah is beyond measurements.
“Therefore you shall
teach them to your sons…” (Devorim 6:7)
The way to acquire the Torah is to teach it to your sons and
also other Jewish people which should be like your own sons. It is the actual
handing down of the Torah to future generations that opens the Torah’s light to
a person.
“And you shall
meditate on it day and night.” (Yehoshua 1:8)
A person is not excused from the learning of Torah having studied during only the day or nighttime. This is a very common mistake by those who are busy working during the day or in school.