Thursday, May 29, 2014
Ethics of our Fathers: Chapter 8 Mishna 9: There is Nothing more Important than Torah
9:48 PM | 
Posted by
Rabbi Chaim Coffman |
"Rav Yakov said: 'One who walks on the road while reviewing [a Torah lesson] but interrupts his review and exclaims, 'How beautiful is this tree! How beautiful is this plowed field! Scripture considers it as if he bears guilt for his soul'"
The Mishna tells us the importance of Torah learning to the extent that if a person while reviewing that lesson on the way exclaims 'What a beautiful tree or plowed field that is' is considered as if he has forfeited their life. How can this be explained? After all, even if one made a blessing on that field or tree, one would be liable for the death penalty!
Rabbenu Yonah explains that the learning a person does should be done with fear and awe. This means that one should not speak frivolous things or to seemingly praise G-d for His great creation. There is nothing more than Torah learning and one must sanctify that time for that purpose.
Therefore, when learning Torah one should not think about politics, sporting events or anything that will take one's mind off Torah. Even if we see a beautiful thing which is G-d's creation, one must learn with continuity, awe and fear of heaven.
When one is able to learn with that type of clarity, they will be better equipped to understand what they are learning. One must also shut everything out from their daily lives when encompassed in learning. Although our days are filled with many trials and tribulations, we nonetheless have to shut out our everyday life.
If we try to the best of out ability to use this sanctified time to our benefit, we will receive the ability to understand G-d's Torah. The reason that taking one's attention off this is so drastic is because we have to understand the importance of Torah and our ability to implement it's teachings into our life.
As we approach the holiday of Shavuos and renew our connection to Torah, we should take this teaching to heart. As we stay up later than usual Shavuos night showing our commitment to Torah, we show G-d how much we value Torah. Just as Ruth clung to Naomi and declared "I will go where you go; your G-d is my G-d" and nothing will deter me to be part of this people and learn the Torah, so too we declare our connection to Torah; nothing is more important than it and nothing ever will be!
The Mishna tells us the importance of Torah learning to the extent that if a person while reviewing that lesson on the way exclaims 'What a beautiful tree or plowed field that is' is considered as if he has forfeited their life. How can this be explained? After all, even if one made a blessing on that field or tree, one would be liable for the death penalty!
Rabbenu Yonah explains that the learning a person does should be done with fear and awe. This means that one should not speak frivolous things or to seemingly praise G-d for His great creation. There is nothing more than Torah learning and one must sanctify that time for that purpose.
Therefore, when learning Torah one should not think about politics, sporting events or anything that will take one's mind off Torah. Even if we see a beautiful thing which is G-d's creation, one must learn with continuity, awe and fear of heaven.
When one is able to learn with that type of clarity, they will be better equipped to understand what they are learning. One must also shut everything out from their daily lives when encompassed in learning. Although our days are filled with many trials and tribulations, we nonetheless have to shut out our everyday life.
If we try to the best of out ability to use this sanctified time to our benefit, we will receive the ability to understand G-d's Torah. The reason that taking one's attention off this is so drastic is because we have to understand the importance of Torah and our ability to implement it's teachings into our life.
As we approach the holiday of Shavuos and renew our connection to Torah, we should take this teaching to heart. As we stay up later than usual Shavuos night showing our commitment to Torah, we show G-d how much we value Torah. Just as Ruth clung to Naomi and declared "I will go where you go; your G-d is my G-d" and nothing will deter me to be part of this people and learn the Torah, so too we declare our connection to Torah; nothing is more important than it and nothing ever will be!
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