TORAH SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN
כי לא תשכח מפי זרעו (דברים לא, כא)
כי הם חיינו ואורך ימינו ובהם נ יומם ולילה (מעריב)
Shabbos 138b: R. Shimon bar Yochai: Heaven forbid that Torah would be forgotten from Yisrael - "Ki Lo Sishakach mi'Pi Zar'o".
Question: How do we explain "Yeshotetu Levakesh Es Devar HaShem" (Amos 8)?
Answer: They will not find the Halachah and Mishnah clear [even] in one place (there will be many different opinions).
Torah is what makes the Jews unique from all the other nations. G-d forbid that the Torah should be forgotten from our children. Rather, the Torah tells us that during the Galus, the clear understanding and one source for halacha will not be provided to us.
Specifically, Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai says this statement. Torah was given in the written format. Yet it is the Oral Torah and (even more so in these generations) the hidden Torah (Chassidus) that enables the completion of the goal of Creation. Thus, the last letters of this verse spell out “Yochai”:
וזרע ימפ חתשכ אל יכ
Rashi on the Chumash (Devarim 31:21) comments and says that this verse serves as a promise that the Torah will never be forgotten from the Jewish people totally.
There is a discussion among the commentators how to interpret the meaning of this promise. When the verse says that “Torah” will not be forgotten, Rashi understands that we are assured that the song of Ha’azinu will never be forgotten. This song will remain as testimony for the Jewish people for all generations, and its lesson of the trials and tribulations of the nation and its destiny will accompany them on their trek through history. However, there never was a promise that the rest of the Torah would be remembered forever. This, then, is what Rashi alludes to when he comments that the Torah will never be forgotten “totally”, because the song of Ha’azinu will always remain.
This is also how Maharsha understands the statement of Rebbe Shimon ben Yochai in our Gemara. Maharshal understands that the promise in the promise in the verse refers to the written Torah. The promise of Ha’azinu never being forgotten automatically indicates that the rest of the written Torah, as well, will never be lost. However, it is the oral teachings that are vulnerable, and there is a danger of their possibly being forgotten.
The world is in need of a purified atmosphere. Purified air comes only through words of Torah. Words of Torah offer protection in general and for each individual in particular. The division of the Six Orders of Mishna for memorization is intended for "when you walk on the road." The Mishna or two recited from memory wherever one may be, in whatever sort of place he may be, will illuminate the bond between Israel and G-d. The letters MiSHNaH are the same as NeSHaMaH (soul). It is extremely difficult to find the words to express the tremendous benefit, with G-d's help, in the general and individual protection that constant repetition of Mishna will bring. And there are no words to describe the tremendous gratification one thereby gives the Creator, may He be blessed. (Hayom Yom – Lubavitch)
