I am writing in response to Martin Polack’s August 15 reaction (“Torah Study or Good Deeds,” August 15, 2024) to Rabbi Baruch Bodenheim’s article of August 8, “Learning Torah to Hasten the Building of a New Beis Hamikdash.” Mr. Polack was taken aback by the emphasis on Torah study vs. acts of kindness. He lists various factors found in Rabbinic literature as being causes for the destruction of the Temples and Yerushalayim, most prominently sinas chinam, baseless hatred between Jews. He then quotes several Torah leaders of the past, all to the effect that man was created for the purpose of emulating the Creator by helping those who are needy, and that learning Torah without caring for others would be missing the entire point of what Hashem wants from us.
I can see how the title of Rabbi Bodenheim’s article could give the impression that Torah study alone would bring the return of the Beis Hamikdash. I think the main theme of the piece is that the designation of Tisha B’Av as a day of tragedy is traced back to Bnei Yisrael’s lack of appreciation for the Land. As a remedy for this, the article was exploring ways to express our desire for the Beis Hamikdash, including dedication to Torah study. Interestingly, in the haftarah for Tisha B’Av (Yirmiyah 9:12) the Destruction is blamed on a deficiency in their Torah study (Nedarim 81a).
Mr. Polack’s letter might leave the impression that Torah study shouldn’t be a priority. Obviously, nothing could be farther from the truth. This is clear throughout the Torah; Rav Chaim of Volozhin expounds on this topic extensively in Gate Four of Nefesh HaChaim. The reason the roshei yeshivos emphasized the critical importance of chesed was because the prominence of Torah study was axiomatic and self-evident.
I think there is a misconception that the only purpose of Torah study is to know what to do. If that was the case, there would be little need for intense study of Talmud, except perhaps for those who want to become halachic authorities. The truth is that continued advanced Jewish education is for everybody, because the goal is to attain a certain cognition.
Our mission statement in this world is to know, acknowledge, and connect to our Creator (Ramban Shemos 13:16; Mesillas Yesharim Ch. 1). This is accomplished by studying the Torah. “Torah” means “teaching.” Hashem is not merely teaching us the Law; He is teaching us about Himself (Rashi Devarim 6:6) by sharing His knowledge with us. As such, Torah study is our lifelong pursuit. This too is why we want the Beis Hamikdash, whose purpose, as well, is to increase our awareness of Hashem.
That our sole purpose in life is to benefit others is no contradiction to this. Knowledge of Hashem and His ways should and must lead to this conclusion.
It’s worth noting that the Gemara (Yoma 9b), which attributes the destruction of the Temple to sinas chinam, states that this was despite the fact that the Jews at that time were involved in Torah, mitzvos, and acts of kindness! Evidently, human nature is such that one can be involved in chesed projects for the benefit of some Jews while at the same time having baseless negative feelings towards others.
Just as the publishers of The Jewish Link should be commended for publicizing chesed initiatives, so too they should be commended for publicizing opportunities for Torah study.
