Intellect of the divine
For millennia, people have asked: What is the secret to Jewish continuity? How have we survived and thrived through thousands of years of hate, persecution and genocide? How have we maintained our identity, values and relationship with G-d despite all we’ve faced?
Our survival is not due to our might, brains or luck. There is one thing that has kept the Jewish people throughout all of history.
The Torah.
Torah is more than just books of Jewish information. It is the core of our Jewish identity. The most meaningful and deep way to connect to G-d, on an intellectual level. Torah is our spiritual guide to the ups and downs of life.
What is Torah?
The word Torah literally means “instruction”—meaning guidance in life.
But when Jews say “Torah,” they’re most likely speaking of the Five Books of Moses, the foundation of all Jewish instruction and guidance.
We also call it the Chumash, from the Hebrew chamesh, which means five—just like the not-so-Jewish and somewhat archaic title Pentateuch comes from the Greek prefix penta, also meaning five.
Often, when people talk about “a Torah,” they are referring to a parchment scroll version of the Five Books of Moses that is kept in the ark of the synagogue and taken out to be read during services.
The Five Books of Moses are actually one section of a collection of works which is also called Torah, but otherwise known as Tanach (תנ״ך).
Tanach is sometimes referred to by the rest of the world as “The Hebrew Bible.” Jews wrote many other books of history, wisdom and prophecy, but none of these were considered to be divine and eternal so as to be included in Tanach.
The Mitzvah of studying Torah includes the 24 books of Tanach, as well as what is known as “the Oral Law” - the Mishna, Talmud, & later writings all written to add depth, insight and greater understanding of the Torah.
Why study Torah?
How can we ever comprehend the divine? Perhaps we can connect to G-d on a spiritual or emotional level, but how can we connect to G-d intellectually
The Torah is G‑d’s wisdom. When you immerse yourself in Torah, your goal is not simply to amass information but to plug your mind into the Creator’s mind. To think in a G‑dly way.
To gain a sense of how the Creator of the Universe relates to His creations. It is a sharing of spirit, until the same preferences and desires breathe within the two of you. His thoughts are your thoughts and your thoughts are His. There is no comparable union to be found in any other wisdom.
But the most important reason for studying Torah is in order to follow its instructions. The only way to properly live Jewishly is to learn all the Mitzvot, traditions and customs of a G-dly lifestyle.
And so we ask in our daily prayers, that we should be given a heart “to learn and to teach, to do and to keep.”
Torah study tips
Review, review, review. The key to retaining knowledge is repeating the study of a Torah topic again and again, until it is fully understood and internalized.
Ask good questions. Hillel the Elder taught: “The timid do not learn.” Because learning begins when you ask a questions. Don’t believe us? Just look at the Passover Haggadah.
2 heads are better than one. Find a buddy to study with, because friends don’t let friends study alone.
Looking to jumpstart your Torah studying and would like a study partner? Email Rabbi Zalmy or Mushka, we’d be happy to set up a regular study session with you!