5784/2023
In this week's Parashah it is said: “VeHararetz Hayta Tohu Vavohu VeChoshech Al Penei Tehom VeRuach Elokim MeRachefet Al Penei HaMayim,” “The earth being unformed and void, with darkness over the surface of the deep and a wind from God sweeping over the water” (BeReishit 1:2)
Rashi writes that Hashem was hovering over like a dove hovers its nest.
As it says in Pirkei Avot 3:6, Rabbi Halafta from Kefar Hanania said: when ten sit together and occupy themselves with Torah, the Shechinah abides among them… How do we know that the same is true even for one person? As it is said: “In every place where I cause my name to be mentioned I will come unto you and bless you” (Shemot 20:21)
Rav Chaim of Volozhin writes in Ruach Chaim on Avot, “the quality of Torah study is much greater when it is studied in a group.” (Avot 2:4) Therefore we require proof that the Shechinah rests even on one person. He quotes, “וַעֲבַדְתֶּם אֵ֚ת ה’ אֱלֹקיכֶם וּבֵרַךְ אֶת־לַחְמְךָ וְאֶת־מֵימֶיךָ וַהֲסִרֹתִ֥י מַחֲלָ֖ה מִקִּרְבֶּֽךָ,” “You shall serve your God 'ה, who will bless your bread and your water. And I will remove sickness from your midst.” (Shemot 23:25). We see from here that by learning Torah Hashem will bless us.
Rav Meir says in Avot 6:1, “One who learns Torah for its own sake, merits many things, not only that but he is worth the whole world.”
Rav Chaim talks about how we say “וחיי עולם נטע בתוכינו,” "You have implanted the existence of the world in us" (blessing over the Torah). For the continued existence of the world is dependent on uninterrupted Torah study. It is possible, then, for one individual to maintain the entire world if he is the only person studying Torah at a given moment; thus the Mishnah says that the world is worthwhile for him.
We see here that by learning Torah we are in a sense reenacting creation by bringing Hashem’s presence into the world and by making sure that the world will continue.
The Gaon of Vilna writes in Even Shleimah if one's evil inclination tries to persuade him not to study at all, and if he will want to study Torah for its own sake he will not be able to withstand the struggle against his evil inclination, then he should begin to study Torah even not for its own sake, then leading eventually to study for Torah's sake.
Rav Chaim then talks about the importance of learning Torah for its own sake.
He says it means more than coming close to Hashem; it's about attaining a desire to acquire knowledge of the laws and Mitzvot. The more one learns the greater his desire will become. There was a man who entered the king's palace and found himself in a room filled with precious jewels and rich tapestries. He noticed a door leading to another room, a room filled with treasures infinitely more valuable than the riches in the first chamber. As he progressed from room to room, the man felt a growing desire to find the entrance to the next chamber, for he knew that there were even greater treasures to be found. Had this man never entered the first chamber, however, he never would have realized that there was any treasure there at all.
So, too, with Torah study. Once one begins to study Torah, he will see the treasure contained within and will strive to attain even more. This will not cease until he has learned all of its mysteries.
May we have the Zechut of only to be able to learn more Torah and to bring the Shechinah into this world for many years to come until the coming of the Mashiach במהרה בימינו.