134 Torah Book & Portion, Book of Deuteronomy, Vayelech (Deuteronomy 31:1-31:30), Source Book Keys, AMJV DEUTERONOMY | 31:19 song — DEUT1655 The central Book of Judaism, the Torah i... DEUT1655 The central Book of Judaism, the Torah itself, is called a song, Shira [this verse]. Rabbi Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin explains why the Torah is referred to by this term. He states that every song has lyrics and feelings that are implied beneath the surface and not plainly stated. So too, the Torah's main ideas and deeper concepts are not found in the plain text, but must be understood on a hidden, more subtle level, like a song. Ideas in the Torah, like in a song, are often intentionally illusive and implied, and not openly written (Ha'amek Davar, "Introduction to Genesis"). Perhaps, in addition, just as a song has many levels of understanding, the Torah is intended to be understood on many levels. And just as the song contains many feelings and moods within it and varies from person to person, so too, the Torah generates different feelings and moods for different people. Finally, just as the song inspires people, deeply moving them to action and change, so too, the Torah is meant to inspire individuals to act and to change. Share Print Source KeyAMJVVerse31:19Keyword(s)songSource Page(s)233-4 Switch article DEUTERONOMY | 31:19 mouths — DEUT1654 It was taught: R. Akiva says: Whence is ... Previous Article DEUTERONOMY | 31:19 teach — DEUT1656 It was taught: R. Akiva says: Whence is ... Next Article