Shlomo HaMelech writes, Yekarah hee mipeninim v’chol chafatzecha lo yishru bah, “It (the Torah) is dearer (more precious) than pearls, and all your desires cannot compare to it” (Mishlei 3:15). Following the census of the Jewish People, Hashem asked Moshe Rabbeinu to count Shevet Levi separately. Their count was carried out according to their sequence in birth: Gershon, Kehas, Merari. After their tasks within the Bais HaMikdash were designated, the sequence changed; as Kehas, the bearer of the Aron Kodesh, preceded Gershon, who carried the Curtains. The Midrash establishes the order of the counting of the Leviim according to the appointment of tasks: A talmid chacham, Torah scholar, precedes an unlearned Kohen Gadol. This is alluded to by the pasuk in Mishlei mentioned above: Yekarah hee mipeninim, “It (the Torah) is dearer than pearls.” The word peninim is now understood as “before,” a derivative of the word lifnim (v’zos lifanim b’Yisrael, “This was the custom before in Yisrael” (Rus 4:7). This refers to Kehas and Gershon. Gershon was the firstborn; as such, he should have been given the “pole” position of being counted first. Since Kehas carried the Aron Kodesh, which was the repository of the Torah, however, the pasuk lists his name first.
Studying Torah places a man on a level higher than that of firstborn or even Kohen Gadol. Torah study is the ideal vocation; it is our lifeblood. If so, why is a scholar not accorded the same privilege as the Kohen Gadol? Why can the Talmid Chacham not enter Lifnai v’Lifnim, into the Holy of Holies, as does the Kohen Gadol? Why can he not stand before the Almighty? The Sefas Emes explains that the difference lies in understanding the nature of Torah and what can be achieved by Torah study.
The Sefas Emes distinguishes between learning Torah and serving Hashem through worship. Anyone may study Torah; there are no eligibility qualifications. As far as worship in the Bais Hamikdash is concerned, the Torah limits who may serve. Distinct guidelines govern the involvement of the Kohen, Levi and Yisrael. The place in which the avodah, service, is carried out – whether it is in the Courtyard, Sanctuary, or Kodesh Kodoshim – also has parameters. In other words, the Temple service is restrictive. Only a select few may serve in specific places.
This does not mean, explains the Sefas Emes, that the place in which the individual serves is indicative of his having achieved a higher spiritual status than that of his peer who is serving elsewhere. He compares the situation to a king who has both children and servants. A servant’s level is determined and manifest by his proximity to the king. While a minister may speak face to face with the monarch at any given time – night or day – the lowly servant stationed in a faraway post, working in the basement somewhere, may never come in contact with the king. Not so the prince, who always maintains an intimate, loving relationship with his father, regardless of his proximity – be it in the palace or in a far-off country. He always remains the son of the king.
One who learns Torah is the King’s son. There is really no more precise way to describe this relationship. The ben Torah who delves in Hashem’s gift to Am Yisrael experiences a spiritual existence, even while he is in the physical dimension of this world. He is so far from the King – yet so close. Our sages compare this world to a corridor that leads into a palace.
The Midrash quoted above, which delineates between Torah study and spiritual worship, is teaching us that a Jew who studies Torah in the “corridor” is dearer to Hashem than even one who enters the palace proper. The Kohanim who serve in the Bais Hamikdash are like servants who stand before the King. Their privileged position in such close proximity to the Melech Malchei Hamelachim, King of Kings, allows them but a mere taste of the reward to come in Olam Habba, the World to Come. Their full reward is reserved for the future, when they are divested of their mortal selves and have entered into Gan Eden.
Man has one primary purpose in this world: to study Torah and perform its mitzvos. As such, nothing is dearer to him than Torah study. This precludes all physical and spiritual pursuits. Torah is “it”: “All your desires cannot compare to it.” Chazal teach that “desires” here refers to spiritual aspirations, such as performing mitzvos and maasim tovim, good deeds. Yet, such magnificent aspirations cannot compare to even one word of Torah.
