It’s Always Worth It
If you will go in My decrees and guard My Mitzvos and do them… (Vayikra 26:3)
If you will go in My decrees…If you follow My decrees by engaging in intensive Torah study, with the intention that such study will lead you to observe … (Rashi)
From this simple conditional “if- then” statement flows a world of blessing that matches our best hopes. The “Torahs Cohanim” adds a spice to the mix that gives a new flavor and meaning to the verse. “The sages taught that the word “if”- “IM” is an expression of request. And similarly, you find, “If only My people would listen to Me, and Israel would walk in My ways, I would immediately subdue their enemies and turn My hand against their tormentors. (Tehillim 81:14- 15). Therefore, it is written, “If you will go in My statutes” meaning to say, “If only”- you would strive in Torah!”
Why do we need to be pleaded with to learn Torah? Anyone who has experienced the joy of learning Torah is immediately convinced by the experience that this is a delicious activity. I don’t have to stand over a child in the pizza shop and promise him that if he will eat his pizza and spicy fries, I will get him an ice cream too. It’s already flavorful and meaningful on so many levels. “Taste and see that HASHEM is good!” King David tells us.
On the original march to Mount Sinai HASHEM expresses to the Nation of Israel, “And now, if you obey Me and keep My covenant, you shall be to Me a treasure out of all peoples, for Mine is the entire earth…” Rashi explains why this incredible promise is being held out in advance as an inducement. He says, “And now. If now you accept upon yourselves, it will be pleasant for you in the future, since all beginnings are difficult.” That’s the catch phrase! “All beginnings are difficult.”
We say every day a statement from Mishne Peah, “Talmud Torah Knegged Kulam”- The learning of Torah is equal to all Mitzvos!” This is true about every word of Torah. That is wildly awesome!
We have another important Talmudic principle from Tractate Sukkah, that “the greater someone is, the greater is his negative inclination”. People who have achieved greatness in Torah have certainly had to overcome strong obstacles and the Yetzer Hora is working overtime to topple them in subtle ways.
This applies to all matters of holiness. The greater a matter is, the greater is its opposition. I heard from Rabbi Avigdor Miller ztl. that “just as Talmud Torah knegged kulam, kulam Knegged Talmud Torah. – Just as Talmud Torah is against (knegged literally means opposed) everything, everything opposes Talmud Torah.” Since Torah has the ability to conquer and cure the Yetzer Hora, the resistance rages, internally and externally around it. When a person is about to sit and learn, suddenly everything around is interesting and alluring; the noise outside, the food in the fridge, other people’s conversations, you name it! What’s going on!? Kulam Knegged Talmud Torah!
I once demonstrated to a group of young middle school boys what Jewish weightlifting looks like. I picked up a large volume of the Talmud. That was no problem for someone with my strength and natural athleticism. Then like an Olympian I bent my knees and acted out with great drama the pain and effort that goes into opening up the cover of that volume of the Talmud to begin the learning process.
The hard part is starting! All beginnings are hard! A famous Jewish comedian said, “80% of success is showing up!” There’s a dot of truth embedded there. Showing up and starting is the hard part!
Once we begin, we realize how sweet it is, and we may even wonder, “Where have I been all my life.” We may forget again between learning sessions. Then we have to begin again. The hard part, Rashi reminds us, is there in the beginning.
Rebbe Nachman said that sometimes you have to begin many times, and sometimes many times in the same day and all those beginnings are hard too, but it’s always worth it!
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Date: May 23, 2025
