  |
|
  |
Reading Room ViewPoint Torah Study 101 Observe
and heed all these commandments which I enjoin upon you; thus it will
go well with you and with your descendants after you forever, for you
will be doing what is good and right in the sight of the Lord. The word "observe" refers to the Mishnah, the study of the Mitzvot (commandments). One must study them thoroughly and diligently so they may not be forgotten. A passage in Proverbs reflects this ideal: "They are pleasant if you keep them within you." (22:8) Only when one studies the Torah properly, can one "heed" its words and perform its Mitzvot. 1 Our Rabbis have emphasized in numerous places the importance of constant review in the study of Torah. The Talmud states (Chagigah 9b) that one who has reviewed his studies one hundred times cannot be compared to one who has done so one hundred-one times. The number 101 has special significance because the angel given dominion over the Torah and over memory is Micha'el, and the numerical value of his name equals the number 101. If one reviews his study of the Torah 101 times, Micha'el endows him with the ability to retain all that he has learned. 2 A similar use of numerology [gematria] again reveals the significance of the number 101. In the verse "When Moses charged us with the Teaching as the heritage of the congregation of Jacob" (Deut. 33:4) the word "charged" (tzivah) has a numerical value of 101. The lesson implied here is that if B'nei Yisrael (the "congregation of Jacob") study and review the Torah 101 times, it will remain a permanent legacy for them. 3 Another verse, found in Divrei HaYamim (I Chronicles 16:15), contains the same allusion to the number 101. The passage refers to the Torah as having been "commanded for a thousand generations." Again, the word tzivah (commanded) signifies that if one reviews one's study of Torah 101 times, the reward will include retaining it for a thousand generations. 4 The numerical value of the Hebrew word zakhor (remember) — is 227, while the value of the word shakhoach (forget) — equals 328. The difference between these sums is 101. Again, the number 101 suggests that reviewing the Torah 101 times makes the difference between remembering and forgetting it. 5 My ViewPoint: Inasmuch as the above applies to B'nei Yisrael and their obligation to study Torah, it also applies to B'nei Noach and our need to study and review the Torah as it applies to us.
2. Ibid. 3. Ibid. 4. Ibid. 5. Ibid. What's your opinion? Write us and share your thoughts with us... the above link includes the words "May 2001 ViewPoint Opinion" in the subject line of your email. Back to the Reading Room
|
|
|
