RABBI AZARYA BERZON
Rav of Emek Learning Center, Jerusalem
Parshat Yitro קבלת התורה
Mitzvah of Torah study. Every mitzvah has a specific act that defines it. The mitzvah of Torah study is defined by the cognitive act of learning Torah. The Rav, zatzal, explained that there is an additional aspect to the mitzvah of Talmud Torah, namely, he Talmud in Masechet Shabbat, the sanctification of the personality of 88a, tells us that each Jew at Har the Torah student. Thus the mitzvah Sinai received two crowns, one consists of two parts: 1) to occupy oneself for “na’aseh” and a second for “nishma.” in the study of Torah, in order to know After the sin of the Golden Calf these its teachings; 2) to uplift the spiritual crowns were taken away. This is based personality and sanctity of the individual on the pasuk, “And Bnei Yisrael stripped who studies it. This latter aspect, i.e. themselves of their ornaments” (Shemot, the transformation of the personality 33:6). of the Torah student, is indicated by the Mishnah in Avot (6:1): “Whoever What do these crowns represent? Why occupies himself with the study of Torah were they given to the people at Har Sinai, for its own sake merits many things...he is and taken away from them following called friend, beloved...it invests him with the sin of the Golden Calf? After the sin modesty and reverence, and makes him of the Golden Calf, Moshe Rabbeinu virtuous, pious, upright and faithful...it ascended the mount to receive the second raises him above all creatures.” There are set of Tablets. When Moshe came down two blessings recited before the study of from the mountain his face sent forth Torah. The first, “And You commanded us rays of majesty (Ibid, 34:29). What is the to devote ourselves to the study of Torah,” significance of these rays? is related to the activity of Torah learning. We may find the answers to these questions The second: “Make the teachings of the if we formulate a precise definition of the Torah pleasant on our lips... ...כשם שנכנס לברית that we and our children and ARE BABY AFTERCARE AND PARENT HADRACHA our children’s children may YOUR PRIORITY? Contact Rabbi Joel Portnoy know You and learn Your English speaking, UK - certified mohel since 1996 Torah for the love of it,” is Now available in and around Yerushalayim related to the influence the Call: 058 467 5795 or email rabbiportnoy@icloud.com Member of the The Initiation Society for Mohalim חבר בחברת הכנסת ברית Torah has on its students.
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