When starting
the day a Jew is required to recite two paragraphs concerning the Torah. The
first one opens with a blessing over the obligation to live according to its
laws. Next it expresses the hope that this will be pleasant, that he and his
descendants will know G-d’s name, and learn Torah because they like it and want
to fulfill its precepts. It then closes by blessing G-d for teaching Torah to
the nation of Israel. The second paragraph blesses G-d for choosing Israel from
among the nations to be given the Torah. After that, sections from the Chumash,
Mishna, and the Gemara are read.
The Mishna (Brachos
4:2) tells a story about Rabbi Nechunya ben HaKanah who would offer a
brief prayer when he entered the study hall and when he left. They asked him
what is the place for this prayer? He replied that upon entering I pray that no
mishaps should occur because of me; and upon departure, I offer thanksgiving
for my lot. Based on this, the Mishna Brura (110:8) rules that all students and
teachers of Torah are required to say such prayers at the beginning and end of
their day.
The prayer at the start of the day is basically a request
not to err in ascertaining what is pure and what is acceptable. It also
recognizes that there is an evil inclination to treat religion as a joke and
asks not to be a victim of this or worse to personally stumble in it. The
language then waxes poetic about the desire for knowledge of the truth.
Concerning this there are varying texts some of them comparatively lengthy. In
one of them the final goal is to fundamentally install propriety into the
archetype mankind. The prayer at the end of the day gives thanksgiving for
having the good fortune to be among those who study religion and in doing so give
it order and reveal its direction. It specifically rejects being among those
that sit on street corners, who are running towards the pit of destruction, and
rejoices in their choice which is bringing them to the Garden of Eden.
The Talmud
(Brachos 64a) captures the feelings of a person who devotes his life to the
study and dissemination of religion, as it says:
Rabbi Levi ben Hiyya said: One who leaves synagogue
then goes into the beis midrash (study hall, library – (בית המדרש , to be engrossed in the Torah, merits to receive
the face Divine Presence, as it says, “They go from strength to strength, every
one of them appears before G-d in Zion”, (Psalm 84:8).
Rabbi Hiyya ben Ashi said in the name of Rav: Wise
students have no rest either in this world or in the world to come, as it says,
“They go from strength to strength, every one of them appears before G-d in
Zion”, (Psalm 84:8).
Rabbi Elazar said in the name of Rabbi Hanina: Wise
students multiply peace in the world, as it says, And all thy children shall be
learned of Hashem, and great shall be the peace of thy children (Isaiah 54:13).
Do not read not banayich [thy children - [בָנָיִך but bonayich
[thy builders - [בוֹנָיִך. “Great
peace to those that love Your Torah, and they should never stumble”, (Psalm
119:165). “May there be peace within your city walls and prosperity within thy
palaces. “For the sake my brothers and friends, let me say, may peace be upon
you”. "For the sake of the house of Hashem our G-d I will seek your good
(Psalm 122:7-9). “The Lord will give strength to His people, the Lord will
bless His people with peace”, (Psalm 29:11).
לע"נ סימע בת אליעזר
ז"ל נלב"ע יט חשון תש"ל
העלון ניתן לקבל בדואר אלקטרוני וגם באתר
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