Thursday, July 16, 2009

Mitzvat Aseh 6 - To cling to Talmidei Chachmim (Wise Men in Torah)

The Mitzvah

The 6th positive mitzvah commands us to "stick to", or follow, those who are wise in Torah knowledge. To accomplish this, we must frequent their Yeshivot (study halls of Torah), and do everything possible to be part of their chevra (group of friends). We must also do our best to eat, drink and work along with them, so that we come to model our behavior after them. By doing so, we will come to understand the true ideas, thoughts and notions of the Torah from their words. This is what Hashem meant when Moshe said in Parshat Eikev: "to Him you shall cleave" (Devarim 10:20). Further in that same parsha (Torah portion, Devarim 11:22), Moshe once again reiterates "to cleave to Him", which Rambam says, is another reference to spending time with Talmdei Chachamim. (Also see Mishneh Torah Hilchot De'ot 6:2).

This commandment leads to other practical things we are obligated to do in our lives, namely to marry the daughters of Talmidei Chachamim and to marry our daughters to Talmidei Chachamim. Furthermore, we should feed them and give them work (sustenance).

Why is the commandment to cling to Hashem fulfilled by working with Talmidei Chachamim and not by ways more directly connected to serving Hashem?

The answer comes from a gemara in Tractate Ketubot (111b) which asks: Is it possible to cling to the divine presence? For the pasuk says: Hashem your God is a consuming fire! Rather, if you do as written above (follow the Talmidei Chachamim) it is considered as if you have clung to the divine presence itself.

There is no commentary on this commandment.

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