In Parshas Kedoshim, the Torah commands us to rise in the presence of a זקן (elderly person) to show him honor. The Gemara (Kiddushin 32b) teaches that this obligation is not limited to an aged individual, as the word זקן can also be read as a contraction of the words זה קנה – he who has acquired, which the Gemara elucidates as referring to זה שקנה חכמה – a sage who has acquired wisdom. In other words, in addition to the literal requirement to rise and show respect to an elderly person, we are also commanded to do so in the presence of a Talmid Chocham. Why does the contraction state only זה קנה without clarifying to what acquisition we are referring, namely the wisdom of Torah study?
Based on the teachings of Rav Avrohom, the brother of the Vilna Gaon, Rabbi Chaim Zvi Senter explains that although many objects and possessions seem to be acquirable, in reality the only true acquisition that a person can own in this world is Torah scholarship, which is permanent and can never be taken away from him.
