- Rewards of Learning
-
- Rabbi Reuven Mann - Dean, Masoret Institute
Question:
- I have come across another problem. I am preparing Pirkei Avos,
perek 5,
- about 4 midos in talmidim.
- 1) grasps quickly and forgets easily
- 2) grasps very slowly but doesn't forget
- 3) grasps quickly and doesn't forget (this is a good lot)
- 4) grasps very slowly and forgets easily (this is a bad lot [chelek
ra]).
- My question is on the last one. R' Yonah points out that despite his
- poor ability to grasp and retain, he persists in learning. He gets
- reward for his persistence. Are we judged (is our purpose) according
to
- how much understanding and knowledge of God that we acquire? Or is
our
- purpose to devote all of our energy to the eternal? It seems like
the
- student who persists in studying despite his inability to gain
- understanding has directed all of his energy towards pursuing the
good
- and eternal. It is not his "fault" that he has no binah,
that's not his
- chelek. So why is this a "bad chelek?" Does Hashem expect
more from
- him? If you maintain that he has a bad chelek compared to the
ultimate
- understanding possible, the closest relationship with Hashem based
on
- knowledge; but that can't be what Hashem demands of him. That is not
his
- purpose. So how can this be a bad chelek (other than the frustration
he
- feels at grasping slowly and not retaining)?
-
- I was thinking that when Hashem created the world, he had a specific
- purpose in mind for humanity. This purpose involves using our minds
to
- gain understanding, which will lead to a relationship with Him.
However,
- it is His will that each person be given a unique chelek and
different
- ability to pursue this goal. Each person's purpose is to perfect
himself
- insofar as he is able to with the unique abilities that Hashem
endowed
- him with. If he does that, he is successful. However, it is possible
- that Hashem endowed him with abilities far inferior to the rest of
- mankind, and compared to what mankind is able to achieve (compared
to
- Hashem's plan for mankind), he has a bad chelek because he will
never be
- able to achieve the great knowledge and understanding which is
necessary
- for a close relationship with Hashem.
- But that's where I get stuck. Because so what that he can't achieve
the
- knowledge necessary for a relationship with Hashem. He is fulfilling
- Hashem's will completely on his level. Is it a tragedy that a cow
- doesn't have knowledge of God? At least this person is using his
bechira
- to direct all of his energies to the good. Where is the tragedy?
-
- Answer:
- With regard to 4 middos in talmidim: There are 2 things to consider;
the
- objective purpose of the activity of learning and the subjective
reward of one
- who learns but doesn't achieve it's highest purpose.Learning is
essentially
- for the acquisition of the knowledge which perfects us and shows us
the ways
- of G-d and rechannels our energies to a love of Hashem. If the
ability to
- acquire knowledge is seriously compromised then one's chelek of
Torah will be
- limited. This is an objective reality which can't be altered. One
can ask:what
- is the benefit of the one who is slow to absorb and quick to forget?
I believe
- that R.Yonah means that there is a gain in involvement in the beauty
of G-d's
- Torah which has a profound effect on the soul. Also persistence in
study where
- the fruits come with great difficulty expresses a profound love of
G-d which
- may be absent when the learning is providing the joy and
satisfaction
- of"success" There are 2 rewards for learning; the natural
perfection of the
- soul which results from the activity and the Divine reward that G-d
metes out
- to those who faithfully follow His will. Regarding the first, ie.
the natural
- benefits of the objective activity of learning he has a bad chelek-
he is
- limited in this area in terms of how much he can partake of the
knowledge of
- Torah. However as you say he is fulfilling his purpose in line with
the nature
- that G-d gave him.In regard to the reward G-d gives to those who are
his true
- servants in that they absolutely live according to His will he of
course does
- not have a chelek ra.
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