Torah Study Leads to Action

We are now beginning the period known as שבעה דנחמתא, the seven weeks of comfort. Each Shabbat, between now and Rosh Hashanah, has a Haftarah that speaks of a glorious future for the Jewish people.

The Torah readings during this period are more geared towards the necessary mindset in settling the land. There is a constant repetition and reminders that amazing good awaits us, as long as we are careful to observe the commandments.

The Baal Haturim makes an interesting observation in his commentary on the words, “And now Israel, listen to all of the laws that I am teaching you to observe.” He makes a simple point by saying that התלמוד מביא לידי מעשה, that studying leads to action.

I am often shocked when I see bad behavior and bad Midot among adult Jews. I shake my head in disbelief and wonder why these people never studied. Didn’t their parents teach them basic rules of being honest, polite, and considerate of others?

Rabbi Avraham Twerski, always emphasized the importance of studying books of Mussar. It provides an individual with the tools to know how to act in an upright manner.

Such learning not only translates into action, but it gives a person direction and peace of mind. He knows what is important in life, and learns to be happy with his lot in life. We must take this point very seriously. Torah study leads to actions and behaviors that we would, otherwise, be without.