Tuesday 14 May 2013

Uniqueness of Birkot HaTorah

Guest Blogger:Rav J. Simchah Cohen
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In preparation for Sh'vuot, the following in fundamental.
Why is it that once a person recited the blessings for Torah (Birkot HaTorah) in the morning, and subsequently went about his daily pursuits or business concerns throughout the day that should he at some later period seek to learn Torah, he is not required to say once again a Berachah prior to learning Torah. Why are the Birkot HaTorah different from other Berachot? In other matters should a person interrupt his performance of a Mitzvah to become involved in mundane matters and then seek to once again to perform the Mitzvah he is required to again recite Berachot.

Tosafot in Berachot (11b)poses this question. They suggest that the distinctive nature of Torah is that since Jews are required to learn Torah by day as well as by night, Jews never totally remove their attention and thoughts away from Torah.(They are not "Maisi'ach Daat" from Torah.)

This concept requires analysis for it seems to go against the grain of common day pursuits. Assume a person is an accountant, lawyer or businessman. From early morning till late at night the person is actively engaged in his profession. He does not open up a sacred text throughout the day. He has no time to learn Torah throughout the working day. In fact, he rarely even contemplates studying Torah. Torah is realistically not on his mind or thoughts. Accordingly, the position that Jews never remove their attention and thoughts from Torah seems contrary to reality.

The following responseI is recited in the name of HaGoan HaRav Yoshe Ber Soloveichik (ZL), Rosh HaYeshiva, Yeshiva University. The Berachah of Torah contains the phrase "la"asok b'divrai sora", namely, to be involved with the words of Torah. To be involved with Torah is quite different from simply studying a holy text. A Jew, for example, finds a wallet full of money. He looks around and notes that no one is watching his actions. Instead of taking the money for himself, he returns the wallet to the owner. Why does he not keep the money for himself? The answer is that he is a Torah Jew. The Torah mandates Jews to return lost items to their owners. Assume again a person is quite hungry and the only place available to eat is a non kosher establishment. He looks about and notes that there is no one about who will see his actions. Yet, he does not enter the non Kosher place. Why? He is a religious Jew. A torah Jew does not eat non Kosher food. It matters not whether people see him or not. A Torah Jew has standards that must be upheld. A Torah Jew has a moral backbone.This is what is meant by the phrase "to be involved with the words of Torah". It is not limited to learning sacred texts. It deals with a Torah lifestyle. A Torah lifestyle is being practiced whether or not one actually engages in studying a Torah text. This is the main rationale as to once the Berachah for Torah is recited in the morning it is viable throughout the day even should one be involved in mundane pursuits.
 
Best Regards,
RW

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