The Torah which we received at Mount Sinai, and who’s giving/receiving we commemorate with the holiday of Shavuot this coming Tuesday night, is sometimes compared to water. There are various reasons given. I guess this is as good as any time to explore the obvious, why?
There are many Jews all over the world that participate in daily learning sessions, whether on their lunch hour brake or after morning prayers etc. Some study on the subway while others read material on the Internet (like this wonderful publication) or hear Torah lectures online. Torah is everywhere.
STUDYING TORAH IS HIP!!
Torah has been around a long time. It’s like an everlasting battery- it goes on and on and on….
Our Sages teach us that after a rain storm, if one notices, the fish float to the top of the pond or sea etc. As a matter of fact, the fishermen know this little fact and cleverly rush with their fishing gear right after a rainstorm, as that’s the best time to catch fish.
Why do the fish ascend to the top? Don’t they have enough water where they are? The reason for this phenomenon is that they crave the fresh rain water. All living beings have an attraction for new and fresh things.
When my son was 3 years old, I witnessed him getting excited by his first time experiences, sometimes activities as simple as running in the back yard. I was reminded of when I was a kid and got excited by the same things. My heart would start to pump and this energetic rush would fill my entire body. Unfortunately, those feeling are very remote these days. Yeah, yeah life can be dull as one gets older. So many people try new things to spice up their lives. However, the reason why Torah is so successful throughout thousands of years is because the same subject or discussion can appeal to many people on different levels. That’s what makes it unique. One can always find a new creative thought on a story in the Chumash or a novel approach to a case in the Talmud. The freshness is electrifying. Creativity is an essential part of Torah. A new thought is exciting.
This is the reason why Torah is compared to water. It’s our thirsty nature and our relentless desire to quench our souls with fresh water, a.k.a, a creative Torah thought.
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