Pisqa’ 3451
1
“Moses charged us with Torah” (Dt.33:4)—
This charge was made only to us, and only for our sakes.
And so He says:
“I will build the Abode in the name of HASHEM, God of Israel” (1Ki.8:20).
What’s this Abode for?
[To house] the Ark!
And, continuing:
“I will install there a space for the sake of the Ark (1Ki.8:21).
We conclude, then, that
this charge was made only to us, and only for our sakes.
Another word:
“Moses charged us with Torah” (Dt.33:4)—
now, is it truly from Master Moses that we possess the Torah?
Didn’t our Patriarchs earn it
[well before Moses taught it to us]?
For it is stated:
“The heritage of the community of Jacob” (Dt.33:4)!
Now, shall I infer that
only children of royalty receive an inheritance?
How do I know that even children of simple folk may receive an inheritance?
The Teaching states:
“You stand here—all of you!—this day” (Dt.29:9).
2
Another word:
“The heritage of the community of Jacob” (Dt.33:4)—
don’t vocalize the text [conventionally] as:
“heritage”(morashah)—
rather, vocalize it as:
“betrothed” (me’orasah).
This teaches that
the Torah is Israel’s betrothed,
and thus, to the nations of the world,
she is like a married woman
[who is intimate with her husband alone].
And so He says:
“Can a man embrace embers to his chest,
without burning his clothes?
Shall a man walk on hot coals
without burning his feet?
So it is with one who consorts with his kinsman’s wife—
no one touching her thereafter will be exonerated! (Prov.6:27-29)
3
Another word:
Don’t vocalize the text as:
betrothed (me’orasah)—
Rather, vocalize it [conventionally] as:
heritage (morashah)—
This teaches that
the Torah is Israel’s heritage.
An analogy—
to what is this comparable?
A royal heir was taken captive,
as a child, to a coastal town.
Now, should he want to return—
even after a hundred years—
he should not be ashamed to return,
for he can say:
I am reclaiming my heritage!
So, too:
A disciple of sages,
having been separated from words of Torah,
and wandering off to other pursuits.
Should he want to return—
even after a hundred years—
he should not be ashamed to return,
for he can say:
I am reclaiming my heritage!