The Sefer Chassidim (945) writes, “The scholars of the later generations are less clever in Torah than those of earlier generations. Nevertheless, in Hakadosh Baruch Hu’s eyes, the less wise scholars in the present are equal to the genius scholars of the past because, otherwise, every generation can claim, ‘Why didn’t You create me in an earlier generation, and I would know much more Torah?’ But the answer is that the amount you know isn’t the point. You can know a little or a lot; the main thing is that your intention is [to study Torah] for Hashem’s sake. Don’t waste time; study Torah whenever you can, even if you aren’t as sharp and wise [as the scholars of the past].”
Dovid HaMelech said (Tehillim 119:54), זמירות היו לי חוקיך “Your statutes were like songs to me.” The Gemara (Sotah 35) says that Hakadosh Baruch Hu was upset that Dovid said this. Torah shouldn’t be called zemiros. The Brisker Rav zt’l explains that some people don’t know how to carry a tune, so if Torah is called zemiros, there’s an implication that it isn’t for everyone.
Dovid HaMelech was punished because he forgot the halachah (Bamidbar 7:9) that the aron must be carried by the Levi’im on their shoulders (see I Shmuel, 6:19).
The Brisker Rav explains that Hashem reminded Dovid that when it comes to Torah, all one needs to do is place the yoke of Torah on his shoulders and try his best. Success isn’t your obligation; just doing the best you can is.
Even if you work most of the day and don’t have much time for Torah study, if you are determined, you can generally find much time for Torah. The Kotzker zt’l and other tzaddikim taught that the word תעבק could mean to steal (see Mishlei 22). Thus, קבעת עיתים הורותל means one should “steal” time from his busy schedule to devote to Torah study.
TORAH AND HAPPINESS
Pirkei Avos (6) states that one of the 48 traits needed to acquire Torah is שמחה, joy. The Maharal (Derech Chaim Avos 6) explains, “Simchah is a great level. When one is happy, he has perfection (shleimus). And when he has perfection, he can receive the Torah, which is the perfection of man.”
Torah is acquired with simchah, and Torah study itself makes us happy, as it states (Tehillim 19:9), “Hashem’s mitzvos are upright; they gladden the heart.” Nothing is more joyous than studying the Torah and the performance of the mitzvos.
