Parashat Bechukotai

Parasha Thoughts

By Rabbi David Cohen

If you will follow My decrees and observe My Commandments and perform them. (26:3)

At first glance, the pasuk appears repetitious: follow My decrees; observe My commandments; perform them. Every word – indeed, every letter – has profound significance. How are we to understand what the Torah is trying to tell us? Rashi explains that the pasuk is teaching us the process by which we proceed from learning to action. The combined meaning of the pasuk is: If you will follow My decrees by engaging in ameilut ba’Torah, intensive Torah study, with the intention that this study will lead to; observe My commandments properly, and, if you will actually elevate potential to reality; and perform them – you will merit the following blessings, which will be detailed in the upcoming pesukim.

Thus, it all reverts back to ameilut ba’Torah, commonly translated as toiling in Torah, or exerting oneself in his studies. If we have no clear understanding of the meaning of limud haTorah, study of Torah, then we are in serious trouble. Sitting in front of a Gemorah as if one is at a country club is not the Torah’s idea of ameilut. Yet, on the other hand, we find ourselves reciting daily the blessing, v’Haarev na, “Please, Hashem, sweeten the words of Torah in our mouth.” Toil? Sweetness? It would seem that these terms are not mutually consistent with one another.

A certain blessing precedes v’Haarev na, the Bircat HaTorah of Laasok b’divrei Torah, “To busy (occupy) ourselves with the words of Torah.” We now have another term for Torah study: eisak, busy ourselves. An eisak is a business. Literally, the Torah becomes our business, our occupation. The purpose of Torah study is so that we are able to perform the mitzvot properly. Thus, the extended meaning of Laasok b’divrei Torah is to occupy our minds with Torah, so that we are able to implement the words of Torah properly and correctly in actual practice.

We now know that Torah must occupy our minds and our mouths. We acknowledge that physical and mental exertion is an integral part of this process. Where does the “sweetness” enter the picture? Horav Shimon Schwab, zl, explains this pragmatically. Once we have expended the effort to apply ourselves to learning Torah, we ask Hashem to make the Torah sweet for us. He offers a prosaic analogy to one who is reluctant to jump into a pool of cold water. Once he has made the plunge, the water is quite soothing and enjoyable. Indeed, there are difficulties in studying Torah. It does not come easily for many people. Obstacles and challenges block the way. For some, it is time; For others, it is acumen, background, study partner, indolence, every excuse in the world. Once one has made the necessary effort, and dispensed the necessary toil and exertion, he asks Hashem to please grant him the enjoyment of the learning.

May we all merit to taste the sweetness of Torah.

 

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