Wednesday 4 July 2018

Measurements, Mitzvot and Rewards




אֵלּוּ דְבָרִים שֶׁאֵין לָהֶם שִׁעוּר. הַפֵּאָה, וְהַבִּכּוּרִים, וְהָרֵאָיוֹן, וּגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים, וְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה. אֵלּוּ דְבָרִים שֶׁאָדָם אוֹכֵל פֵּרוֹתֵיהֶן בָּעוֹלָם הַזֶּה וְהַקֶּרֶן קַיֶּמֶת לוֹ לָעוֹלָם הַבָּא. כִּבּוּד אָב וָאֵם, וּגְמִילוּת חֲסָדִים, וַהֲבָאַת שָׁלוֹם בֵּין אָדָם לַחֲבֵרוֹ, וְתַלְמוּד תּוֹרָה כְּנֶגֶד כֻּלָּם


These are the things that have no measure: Peah [corner of the field which, while harvesting, must be left for the poor], Bikurim[First-fruits that must be brought to the Temple and given to the priest], the appearance-sacrifice [brought to the Temple on Pilgrimage Festivals], acts of kindness, and the study of the Torah. These are things the fruits of which a man enjoys in this world, while the principal remains for him in the World to Come: Honoring one's father and mother, acts of kindness, and bringing peace between a man and his fellow. But the study of Torah is equal to them all.


Peah, to be left for the poor, is infinite, because the giving of charity has no end. Our Bikkurim gifts to the priest (the Kohein) going to the Temple, are infinite, because delighting in giving back to God from what He gives us is infinite. Acts of kindness have no end. Anyone can do them - any time they want. The study of Torah has no measure. It is infinite. There is no end. No matter how much one learns, there is still more to learn. It is not just a Bible of sorts, it is the very "Mind" of the Creator of the universe.

The study of Torah is the greatest of everything because it leads us to do what is correct. With this knowledge, we can go ahead with honouring parents as the Torah teaches us to, do acts of kindness - which are themselves infinite, and the best of all, bring peace between people - an infinite job which brings infinite reward for all concerned.

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