DEUT1515 R. Me'ir said: whoever occupies himself with the study of Torah for its own sake merits many things; and not only that, but the entire world is worthwhile because of him.… it makes him great and exalted above all creations. Pirkei Avot, Perek VI, Mishnah 1. We have rendered the word ma'asim as "things," to signify the entities of this world, animate and inanimate, which the Almighty wrought. For the Hebrew for "wrought" is a aseh, the root of ma'asim. But ma'asim can equally signify deeds, actions, the things we do from day to day. Devoted, persevering Torah study for its own sake makes a man transcend the small, petty events of his daily life, however meaningless, irritating, or frustrating they are. He knows that with the Torah, he enters a higher realm of existence, above the trying, nagging details of the day. So life's daily actions, ma'asim, will not seriously mar his thinking or his character; and they certainly will not impair his faith or religious devotion. His main journey is on a higher road, and the rest matters little. And indeed, all his actions become tinged with an aura of holiness, since all his gains and achievements are channeled to serve his higher goal--to study the Torah and live by it. Our text can also denote that his Torah study means more than a man's achievements during the day. Whatever he accomplishes in his business or professional life, during his leisure, even in pursuit of culture--his Torah study exalts him yet more. As Moses promises us in Scripture [this verse].
SHOW FULL EXCERPT