DEUT1647 The intellectual urge is not found in equal measure among all those who are obligated to serve God; for some are of limited intelligence, while others are superior in their perception. The exhortation of the Torah, however, applies equally to all who meet the conditions that make them subject to commandment, though they vary in their understanding of it, as we have already explained at the end of the First Gate of this book. There are times when a person understands more, and time is when he understands less; the intellectual inspiration in a person varies with the changes in his level of understanding. The exhortation of the Torah, however, does not change in its essence; Its form is the same for child and youth, the advanced in years and the old, the intelligent and the ignorant. What varies is the practice which results from this exhortation, on the part of all those we have mentioned, as we have described. According to Scripture, the exhortation of the Torah is addressed to the entire people, as it says: “Assemble the people-- men, women, children, and the stranger that is within your gate -- so that they may hear and learn” (Devarim 31:12); “Read this Torah before all of Israel, so that they hear” (ibid. 31:11).