{"id":10201,"date":"2014-05-05T00:03:40","date_gmt":"2014-05-04T21:03:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/?p=10201"},"modified":"2020-09-15T11:19:05","modified_gmt":"2020-09-15T08:19:05","slug":"15-05-03","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ph.yhb.org.il\/en\/15-05-03\/","title":{"rendered":"03. Torah Study and Acts of Kindness"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Torah study is an important basis for repentance, for as a result of Torah study, one comes to observe <em>mitzvot<\/em>, as the Sages said: \u201cStudy is greater, for study leads to action\u201d (<em>Kiddushin<\/em> 40b). The Sages further said (<em>Berakhot <\/em>16a) that just as a stream elevates one who immerses in it from a state of impurity to a state of purity, so too, one who enters the tent of Torah to study diligently is elevated from guilt to innocence.<\/p>\n<p>Study must begin with fear of God, as we read, \u201cThe beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord\u201d (Tehilim 111:10). Our Sages similarly state, \u201cThe purpose of wisdom is repentance and good deeds\u201d (<em>Berakhot<\/em> 17a). Therefore, it is proper for every person to set up a time each day to study works of <em>musar<\/em>, dedicated to self-improvement and character development (Arizal; Vilna Gaon; MB 603:2). During the month of Elul and the Ten Days of Repentance, it is particularly appropriate to intensify <em>musar<\/em> study and to resolve to continue it all year long.<\/p>\n<p>In addition, the mitzva of Torah study is the equivalent of all other <em>mitzvot<\/em>, because it elevates a person more than other <em>mitzvot.<\/em> All other <em>mitzvot<\/em> are performed with body or soul, but Torah study occurs in the most elevated parts of a person \u2013 mind and soul. One who studies Torah becomes one with God\u2019s will. Since Torah study is the most sublime of all <em>mitzvot<\/em>, it has a special power to atone for sins. Thus, our Sages say that even if a person has transgressed a prohibition whose punishment is death at the hands of heaven, he can save himself by increasing Torah study. If he was accustomed to study one page, he should study two; if he usually studied one chapter, he should study two. If he does not know how to study, he can help himself by becoming involved with charitable causes (<em>Vayikra Rabba<\/em> 25:1).<\/p>\n<p>The Rishonim list regimens of fasting and mortifications in penance for specific sins. A\u1e25aronim explain that these fasts and mortifications are for those who do not toil in Torah study. Those who study Torah assiduously and whose fear of God is greater than their wisdom find atonement and correction through diligent Torah study (Arizal; <em>Sefer \u1e24aredim<\/em> ch. 65; <em>Shlah<\/em>; BHL 571:2; <em>Noda Bi-Yehuda<\/em> O\u1e24 141:35; below 6:7).<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>\u1e24ayim of Volozhin also writes that Torah study atones for all sins, including very serious ones for which even sacrifices cannot atone (<em>Nefesh Ha-\u1e25ayim<\/em> 4:31). The <em>midrash<\/em> states: \u201cIf a person committed many sins and was condemned to death [in the heavenly court]\u2026but repented, read from the Torah, Prophets, and Writings, studied Mishna, Midrash, <em>halakhot<\/em> and <em>aggadot<\/em>, and apprenticed under the sages \u2013 even if a hundred evil decrees had been made against him, God nullifies them\u201d (<em>Tanna De-vei Eliyahu Rabba <\/em>5). This accords with what our Sages tell us about the children of Eli. As a punishment for desecrating God\u2019s name in the <em>Mishkan<\/em> at Shilo, they and their descendants were condemned to die young. No offering could atone for their offense. Nevertheless, when their descendants studied Torah, they lived longer. When they also performed kind deeds, they lived even longer (<em>Rosh Ha-shana<\/em> 18a).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>Jewish custom is to be especially charitable during the Ten Days of Repentance, as the verse states, \u201cCharity saves from death\u201d (Mishlei 11:4). During this period, it is proper for everyone to engage in soul-searching, particularly with regard to kindness and charity. People should recommit to tithing their earnings to support Torah study and the poor. Those who are well-off should extend their charity and give a fifth of their earnings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Torah study is an important basis for repentance, for as a result of Torah study, one comes to observe mitzvot, as the Sages said: \u201cStudy is greater, for study leads to action\u201d (Kiddushin 40b). The Sages further said (Berakhot 16a) that just as a stream elevates one who immerses in it from a state of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[188],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-10201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-15-05"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.4 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>03. 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