Parshat Shemini Atzeres-Simchat Torah - Finding Torah
by Rabbi Lobel

“If you request Her as silver and search for Her as for a hidden treasure; then you will understand fear of Hashem and knowledge of G-d.” (Proverbs 2: 4-5)

This verse is in reference to the study of Torah. The Medrash Rabba (25 CE – 200 CE; Shir Hashirim Rabba 1:9) explains the verse through a parable. If a person loses a valuable stone in his house, while searching for the stone, he would have the house well lit and continue searching until the stone was found. If he would go to such lengths for an object that he can only enjoy in this world, all the more so, he should exert himself for the study of Torah, which will benefit him in both this world and the world to come.

The Medrash is not saying that one searches for Torah the same way he would search for a lost object. Rather, the parable compares a person’s outlook between finding a valuable object and studying Torah.

When a person loses a valuable object in the house, he is certain he will find it if he looks long enough and hard enough. With that certainty, he will continue looking until he finds the precious item. So too, when studying Torah, a person should have the mindset that, with time and effort, he will certainly acquire the Torah’s riches. However, to develop that mindset, a person must learn to value the Torah and have confidence the Torah will yield its riches to anyone who perseveres.

Rebbe Yochnan ben Zakai (30 CE – 90 CE; Avot 2:8) says, “If you studied Torah, do not take personal credit because for this reason you were created.” Rabeinu Yona (13th Century) adds that a person cannot take personal credit for Torah study because the Torah is infinite; nobody can fully grasp even a single aspect.

The Alter of Slabodka (Grandfather of Slabodka 1849 - 1927 Ohr Hatzaphoon; Part 1, pp 63-64) quotes the Talmud (Succah 42a), “as soon as a child learns to speak he is taught Shema Yisroel and the Torah.” The Talmud asks, “What section of the Torah is the child taught first? Rav Hamnuna (4th Century) says the verse “The Torah which Moses commanded us is the heritage of the Congregation of Jacob.” (Deuteronomy 33:4) The Alter explains that there are no prerequisites to studying Torah. As soon as the child learns to speak, he can begin to learn the Torah, even if only on a very simple level.

The Alter then cites the verse, “Educate the young based on their ability, even when they age they will not depart from it.” (Proverbs 22:6) The Alter explains that there is no beginning and conclusion to the study of Torah. Each person can expand his knowledge and continue to grow.

The Medrash Rabba (Devarim Rabba 8:3) relates an incident where a fool entered a house of Torah study. He asked how he can also study and master the Torah and its laws. The students answered that one must start with the basic foundations of the five books of the Torah, the Prophets, and the scriptures. Following this, he can move on to the Mishna and the Talmud. The fool, realizing the daunting task ahead of him, gave up, and walked out.

Rebbe Yanai explains that the fool thought there was no time and no way to master so much information, so why try. However, a reasonable person would have said “I'll start slow and do as much as I can day by day. Over time, I will have amassed a wealth of information that will allow me to persevere towards my final goal.”

An individual may feel that Torah is distant and concealed from him because there is too much detail and information. However, through perseverance and consistency, one can be successful in any endeavor. Every small step toward understanding and observing Torah is a giant leap towards consistency, and consistency is the key to success.

Like a precious stone in the house, the Torah is a treasure waiting to be found by those who search for it. As the Torah itself says, “This commandment that I (God) command you today, it is not concealed from you and it is not distant.” (Deuteronomy 30:11)