© 2008 by Robert Lepor. All rights reserved.
(During a Jewish leap-year: 5 Adar II - בִּשְׁנַת הָעִיבּוּר - ה אדר בּ)
(During a Jewish leap-year: 5 Adar II - בִּשְׁנַת הָעִיבּוּר - ה אדר בּ)
It is written in sefer “Ma’alos HaTorah”[1], that a person should take it to heart, that if [the authorities] would reward one of the basest among people to serve a great and awesome king, with precisely the same service that all of the distinguished [people] of the kingdom perform, this person would definitely [then experience] a great [sense of] happiness that knows no bounds. [The aforementioned is true that this lowly person is happy to serve the king] even though he does not receive payment for his service [provided], and all the more so, he would not restrain himself from [performing this] service [if it were to be performed] in the presence of the king. [The aforementioned being the case, it is] all the more [appropriate that] the person who merits to learn The Holy Torah [should] be happy, for all of the angels of the Supernal [Spheres] constantly take joy [in The Torah], and all of the tzaddikim who are in Gan Eden, involve themselves in it’s [study], as well, and [this person] should [similarly] not restrain himself from [involvement in Torah study]! Our Sages of Blessed Memory have also said[2], [as follows]: “When a person involves himself in Torah [study], he is surrounded by angels who are created from the breath of his mouth, similar to the fullness of the eye, he being in [the] midst [of these angels].
Consequently, in light of all of that which we have learned, the punishment of the person who abandons The Torah, is understandable, concerning whom it says, “…and those who abandon HaShem, shall be wiped out.”[3] (Yishayahu: 1; 28) Woe to [the] embarrassment [of the person who abandons The Torah], woe to [his] shame! What will he do for The Day of the Visitation [of Punishment]? Is there an end to his punishment? In accordance with the greatness of the reward [for those who involve themselves in Torah study], so is the greatness of the punishment for one who separates [himself] from [The Torah].
[1] Kol HaLashon note: This teaching is found on pg. 46 of the P’ninim printing.
[2] This teaching is found higher up on pg. 46.
[3] The entire pasuk states, “And the rebellious sinners and those who have sinned due to temptation, shall be broken together, and those who abandon HaShem, will be wiped out”. (Yishayahu: 1; 28)
Targum Yonasan ben Uziel explains the phrase “…and those who abandon HaShem, will be wiped out”, as stating, “…and those who abandon The Torah of HaShem, will be wiped out”.
MaLBI”M explains that at the time that Tzion will be redeemed, those people who sinned against HaShem, as well as those who sinned against other people, shall suffer from destruction, while those who abandoned HaShem, shall be wiped out.
Consequently, in light of all of that which we have learned, the punishment of the person who abandons The Torah, is understandable, concerning whom it says, “…and those who abandon HaShem, shall be wiped out.”[3] (Yishayahu: 1; 28) Woe to [the] embarrassment [of the person who abandons The Torah], woe to [his] shame! What will he do for The Day of the Visitation [of Punishment]? Is there an end to his punishment? In accordance with the greatness of the reward [for those who involve themselves in Torah study], so is the greatness of the punishment for one who separates [himself] from [The Torah].
[1] Kol HaLashon note: This teaching is found on pg. 46 of the P’ninim printing.
[2] This teaching is found higher up on pg. 46.
[3] The entire pasuk states, “And the rebellious sinners and those who have sinned due to temptation, shall be broken together, and those who abandon HaShem, will be wiped out”. (Yishayahu: 1; 28)
Targum Yonasan ben Uziel explains the phrase “…and those who abandon HaShem, will be wiped out”, as stating, “…and those who abandon The Torah of HaShem, will be wiped out”.
MaLBI”M explains that at the time that Tzion will be redeemed, those people who sinned against HaShem, as well as those who sinned against other people, shall suffer from destruction, while those who abandoned HaShem, shall be wiped out.
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