The Power of Torah Study to Awaken the Roots of Souls

Lesson No. 189 | Sunday, Parashas Acharei Mos-Kedoshim, 2 Iyar 5759

When a person learns Torah with pure intention and humility, he is able to shake and awaken the roots of the souls of all Israel to teshuvah (repentance). Moshe Rabbeinu merited to bring down the Torah in the merit of reaching the absolute nullification of the secret of "Mah" (what are we).

Every Jew, even if he is very far away, as long as the name of Israel is called upon him and he has a grasp in the root of the Supernal Thought, can experience thoughts of teshuvah in a single moment. When we utter words of holiness from our mouths with intention, with awe and love, this illumination reaches the root of everyone's soul. Every transgressor and every sinner receives an awakening to return in teshuvah.

When the study is in the aspect of "sapphire and clear," as brought down in the words of Rebbe Nachman (Likutey Moharan 101), everyone does teshuvah.

"He established the boundaries of nations according to the number of the children of Israel" (Devarim 32:8).

Through such study, even the nations of the world receive an illumination and are awakened to return.

Blessing Over the Torah First

The Sages asked in Tractate Nedarim:

"Why is it not common for Torah scholars to have children who are Torah scholars? Because they did not recite the blessing over the Torah first."

What is the meaning of "they did not recite the blessing over the Torah first"? A person can learn Torah out of habit, to pass the time, or just for the kollel stipend. Nothing will come from such thoughts. A person must learn Torah for the sake of Heaven, and believe that with every single letter he utters from his mouth, he shakes myriads of souls and brings people back in teshuvah.

To accomplish this, one must cleanse the heart and mind before studying. For this reason, we make preparations through prayer, so that the study will truly be in holiness and purity, without foreign thoughts. In this way, a person can awaken thousands of lost and banished souls every single day, and return them to the Jewish people.

Reward and Punishment in Raising Children

One who learns Torah without the intention of awakening the roots of souls may, Heaven forbid, see difficult results in the education of his children. This is the punishment of "they did not recite the blessing over the Torah first"—the father did not intend to illuminate the root of souls through his Torah study. As a result, he receives children who find it difficult to learn, who run away from yeshiva, and he is forced to endure much suffering until he brings them to the chuppah (marriage canopy).

In contrast, when a person focuses his intention on the letters of the Torah to draw down a soul for all those who are far away, Hashem gives him the gift of a bright and pure soul for his children. Such a child will want to learn on his own, will wake up early in the morning even before his father, and will be naturally drawn to holiness, because a soul was drawn down for him from a supernal place, from the treasury of souls.

The Secret of Humility: Ten Times "Mah"

All of Israel is rooted in the Supernal Thought, as it is stated: "Israel arose in thought first." In order to merit drawing down lofty souls from that supernal root, a person must reach the ultimate level of lowliness and humility, knowing that he is truly nothing and has nothing of his own.

Moshe Rabbeinu merited to receive the Torah and bring down the Luchos (Tablets) because he reached the level of "ten times Mah." The word "Mah" (what) symbolizes self-nullification and humility, as Moshe said: "And what (Mah) are we?" (Shemos 16:7). The name Moshe, when its letters are spelled out fully (Mem, Shin, Hei), has a gematria (numerical value) of 450, which is exactly ten times Mah (45). The word "Luchos" (spelled with two Vavs) also equals 450, and similarly, the aspect of the bride (Kallah) of Moshe equals 450.

When can the Jewish people be the bride of Moshe? Only when we reach the self-nullification of ten times Mah.

It is impossible to be saved from the evil inclination, from idolatry, immorality, and bloodshed, except through the trait of humility. Anyone who is prideful falls into material lusts, but one who has humility is saved from evil thoughts. Moshe Rabbeinu, who reached the perfection of self-nullification, teaches us that only through true lowliness and the recognition of our own nothingness can we focus our intentions on the letters of the Torah and illuminate all the roots of the souls.

Part 1 of 3 — Lesson No. 189

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