Tuesday, May 14, 2013

CLD #881: The Logic Behind Learning Torah



When we take a moment to understand what the Torah is and who we are in the context of the world we really begin to LOVE Hashem. In reality, Judaism is divided into two major sections: Loving G-d (Ahavat Hashem) and Fearing G-d (Yirat Hashem). Our Sages (Hachamim) teach us in various places that the entire Jew’s life is supposed to direct him/her to a service of loving G-d.

However, there is a catch. The only way to reach this love of G-d is by fearing Him first! How does this make sense? Imagine a father and son. Everyone knows from an outside perspective that the father loves his son, however; the son might not always see that. For example if the son is three years old and he is playing in a playground. All of a sudden the ball rolls out of the playground area and start heading for the street where there are cars passing by once in a while. The boy obviously runs after the ball.

A moment passes and the father is already running after his boy. “What did you do?! How many times do I need to tell you never to run after the ball!!” The boy is crying and yelling about not being able to get the ball, but in reality WHO CARES if the boy is scared of his father?! The boy is still healthy and alive! He won’t understand until he is older.

The same goes for us in life. We go through intense obstacles that avoid us from reaching spirituality because we think we can live life without fear of G-d and follow society’s trends of “free for all” lifestyle. The answer is to know that the only way to BEGIN to love G-d is by fearing Him! As David HaMelech (who died on Shavuot) writes in Psalms (111:9) Reshit Hochma Yirat Hashem…the peak and zenith of wisdom is FEARING G-D! Now it makes sense. The entire reason of Judaism is to love G-d and Judaism is wisdom, so therefore the only way I can reach this wisdom is by fearing G-d and then I can reach loving G-d. If you now ask how to begin fearing G-d the answer is simple: Learning Torah.

B’H through the holiday of Shavuot, the time when we celebrate the wedding  of Shavuot between us and Hashem as a nation and the receiving of the Torah, we should all come to realize that without learning Torah in my daily schedule my connection with Hashem is not strong! Celebrate Shavuot with Torah learning!

Hag Sameakh!
Judaism=Think.

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