Chapter 2, Mishnah 12: Rabbi Yossi would say, ... Perfect yourself to prepare for studying Torah, for it is not an inheritance to you ...
The Simple Explanation
Our Mishnah teaches that even if Torah study is a part of one's family legacy, he should not expect it to come to him easily. Instead, he must exert himself to acquire Torah. The Talmud teaches us that "if one is himself a scholar and his son is a scholar, and his son's son is a scholar as well, the Torah will never cease from his descendants." The Talmud says that "the Torah seeks its home." This would seem to imply that Torah is indeed an inheritance. However, the Mishnah teaches that the only way to gain knowledge of the Torah is by toiling in it.
Difficulties in Understanding the Mishnah
The Tifferes Yisroel asks that we find that "the Torah which Moshe commanded us is an inheritance of the house of Yaakov." We see clearly in the Torah itself that it is an inheritance. How can the Mishnah write that "it is not an inheritance for you?"
The Explanation
There are various aspects of the bond between Jews and Torah. Torah is indeed an inheritance, as quoted above. As such, it is the property of every Jew, without exception. An inheritance does not depend on the circumstances or the age of the one who receives it. Even a newborn baby can acquire property through inheritance. That is why each Jew, without exception, is obligated to study Torah.
There is another aspect, which is called a sale, as we find that "the Holy One blessed be He said to the Jews, 'I have sold you My Torah.'" This refers to the acquisition of the knowledge of the Torah. To make a purchase, one must pay something in exchange for the object he buys. The same is true of Torah knowledge; the only way to achieve this is by exerting great effort.
Regarding this aspect, the Mishnah says that "it is not an inheritance for you." We cannot expect to inherit Torah knowledge. We must use our minds to delve into the Torah and understand it, each of us to the best of our ability.
Adapted from the Sichah of the Second Day of Shavuos, 5724
