Chazal expound upon the concept of Torah as an inheritance. Horav Mordechai Gifter, Shlita, differentiates between an inheritance which belongs to the heirs to transform as they please and a heritage which is to be transmitted to the next generation in its entirety. Reflecting this idea, parents have a demanding responsibility to transmit to their children the whole Torah excluding their own commentary and personal opinions.
The Torah in its pristine form is the inalienable right of our children. To deny them this right is more than an infringement upon the right of possession. Rather, it is an impingement upon their existence. It undermines the idea of Torah as the basis of a Jew’s life.
In the Talmud Pesachim 49b Chazal read the word varun, heritage, as varutn, betrothed. This is interpreted homiletically as a metaphor for the union between Hashem’s Torah and Bnei Yisrael, as a bride to her bridegroom. The Maharal indicates that the end of this pasuk, “kehillas Yaakov,” the congregation of Yaakov, refers to the whole nation of Am Yisrael. Rich and poor alike, each Jew has an equal share in our Torah. Thus, if the wealthy seek to declare sole ownership of the Torah for themselves or their children, without providing equal opportunity for those who are not affluent, the Torah proclaims that this is wrong! The Torah is wed to all Jews. To deprive any Jew – be it due to lack of funds or religious background – is to tear asunder this relationship mandated by Hashem.
We may also note the use of the name “Yaakov” which implies Klal Yisrael in a humbled state, as opposed to “Yisrael” which is a metaphor for strength and dignity. The Torah belongs to all Jews, regardless of their background, intellectual acumen or financial profile. It is their heritage and inviolable right.
The name Yaakov also applies to the attitude one must have when studying Torah. To attain the level of Yisrael, implying strength and sovereignty in Torah, one must first go through the channels of Yaakov, humbling himself to accept the words of the Torah.
Horav Moshe Feinstein z.l. interprets this pasuk as establishing the attitude of love that is inherent in Torah study. He compares the Torah to a bride who purchases a beautiful piece of jewelry before her wedding. Undoubtedly, she is overjoyed and excited. She will always treasure this piece of jewelry. Can this excitement compare, however, to the bride who receives a heirloom piece of jewelry that was the prize possession of her beloved grandmother? Because of its sentimental value she will never part with this gift. The Torah, which we study today, is the very same Torah which Moshe Rabbeinu had on Har Sinai. This is the source of its endearment to us. Perhaps, in order to appreciate the Torah, it is essential to recognize its genesis.
People fail to appreciate the inestimable value of every bit of Torah one absorbs. There is a famous story which occurred concerning Horav Moshe Feinstein. The story demonstrates the esteem in which he held the most elementary achievement in Torah. There was a young student who, after becoming a baal teshuvah, began devoting most of his time to Torah study to the point that he became very proficient. When the boy’s father reached retirement age, he started to follow in the same path forged by his son. He became an observant Jew. He was despondent, however, over his inability to study Torah due to his lack of basic skills. When his time on this world would be over, with what would he face the Almighty?
Observing his father’s depressive state, the son attempted to dissuade him, claiming he would have to master too many skills to achieve Torah erudition. The father would not be deterred from attaining his goal. He studied Hebrew and Aramaic. He learned to read. Slowly he began to learn a “blatt” Gemorah, folio of Talmud. This came with great difficulty because everything was completely new to him. It took a number of years, and the father finally completed one blatt Gemorah!
The father glowed with pride and excitement as he told people of his major “accomplishment.” Indeed, he told his son he planned to celebrate the occasion with a “siyum,” a festive party which is made at the culmination of a complete tractate of Talmud. The son, who felt his father was too enthusiastic about his moderate success, turned to Horav Feinstein for advice in this matter. Horav Feinstein responded in the affirmative, adding he would himself attend this joyous occasion.
The seudah was indeed festive, crowned with words of Torah and blessing from the venerable Rosh Yeshivah. With tears in his eyes, the father rose to thank all those assembled for attending and enhancing his simcha. He said, “My life is now more meaningful. Now I am no longer afraid to die, for I have prepared my blatt Gemorah with which I shall meet the Ribono Shel Olam.”
That night the father went to sleep, never to wake up in this world. He passed away in his sleep, a true penitent and Torah Jew. In his eulogy for him, Horav Feinstein noted, “There are those who acquire Olam Habbah with one hour of serious spiritual elevation on this world, and then there are those who acquire their portion in the world to come with one blatt Gemorah, as did our deceased. His love for Torah and perseverance in attaining its knowledge opened the gates of Olam Habbah for him!”
