LEARNING TORAH IN DEPTH IS THE GREATEST WAY OF ATTAINING YIRAS SHAMAYIM
"ואכלת לפני ה' אלוקך וכו' למען תלמד ליראה את ה' אלוקך כל הימים"
“And you shall eat it [Maaser Sheni] before Hashem… so that you will learn to fear Hashem all the days.” Devarim 14-23
The verse states that you shall eat the Maaser Sheni [the second tithe] in Yerushalayim. The purpose of eating it in Yerushalayim is to learn to fear Hashem.
How will one learn יראת שמים, the fear of Hashem, by eating Maaser Sheni in Yerushalayim? The first thing that enters one’s mind is the explanation of the Rashbam, that when one sees the מקום השכינה, the holy place of the Divine Presence of Hashem, the Kohanim bringing offerings and the Leviyim singing, this depicts an awesome and holy sight, which will bring to Yiras Shamayim. This is the simple way to understand the posuk.
The Sephorno gives a different and novel interpretation of the posuk. He says that in the place that will be chosen for the Bais Hamikdash, will be the Beis Din Hagadol of the Sanhedrin of seventy-one elders. They will teach "להבין ולהורות" to understand and be in awe of Hashem for all times.
This is mystifying how will the Bais Din Hagadol bring one to Yiras Shamayim? Perhaps the Sephorno means that being in Yerushalayim people will be able to listen to Shiurim of such eminent Gedolei Yisrael. Or perhaps people will be able to consult with them. Or perhaps observing the Sanhedrin in action and witnessing the debate between the Dayanim, particularly how they arrive at their conclusions and render their final psak din, will bring one to Yiras Shamayim. Hearing the emes, the Yashrus, and the depth of Torah is the greatest factor in bringing one to the fear of Heaven.
This is mystifying. Why does the Sephorno not learn like the Rashbam, which is the first thought that enters ones mind, to understand how being in Yerushalayim can inspire one to Yiras Shamayim. Seeing the awesome sight of the Makom Hashchina, the Kohanim sacrificing their offerings and the Leviyim singing, brings one to Yiras Shamayim.
Perhaps the Sephorno understands that the explanation of the Rashbam is only an emotional external stimulation which may not be long lasting, whereas the intellectual inspiration and stimulation through Havanas Hatorah, understanding the beauty and depth of Torah will be deeper, more internal and more enduring.
May we be Zoche to understand that learning Torah in Depth is the greatest way of attaining Yiras Shamayim.
May we be Zoche to learn Torah in depth and see the emes and Yashrus of Torah. The Holy Torah is the words of Hashem himself, through which one can attain the highest levels of Yiras Shamavim. Let us be Zocheh to understand this and attain it. Amen V’Amen!
These weekly Parsha sheets are based on Shiurim delivered at Yeshiva Kesser Torah by HaRav Elyakim G. Rosenblatt, Shlita, Rosh HaYeshiva. This Shiur is adapted from a Shiur of Maran HaGaon HaRav Henach Leibowitz, ZT”L and Harav Elyakim G. Rosenblatt. Yeshiva Kesser Torah, 72-11 Vleigh Place, Flushing, NY 11367. (718) 793-2890. Yeshivakessertorah@gmail.com For other Shiurim by Harav Rosenblatt Shlita, login to YeshivaKesserTorah.org or TorahAnytime.com. For telephone shiurim by Harav Rosenblatt Shlita, call Kol Halashon at 718-906-6410. press 1 – 1 – 30 for Shiurim and 1 – 4 – 32 for Chassidic Gems. To dedicate or sponsor these Parasha Sheets Please call the yeshiva office 718-793-2890.