A Jewish king is required to write for himself “es mishneh haTorah hazos.” Rashi explains that this means two sifrei Torah, as a king is supposed to have one sefer Torah to keep at home and another one that he takes with him wherever he goes. The Imrei Chaim adds, based on the teaching of Chazal that, “Kol Yisroel bnei melochim — All Yidden are [like] kings,” that all Jews should perform this mitzvah by making sure to live a Torah life both at home and when on the go.
In a certain sense, people encounter two different types of challenges in life. There are difficulties that come up at home and other types of hardships on the street. But we don’t abandon Torah teachings when we step outside — we grasp hold of our “street Torah” and take it with us wherever we may be going. Some people do better off out on the street while others do better at home. Everyone needs chizuk in both areas, but some people need specific guidance in one area more than the other.
The chassidah is considered a non-kosher bird. It’s called chassidah because it does chessed with its friends — but if so, why is it considered non-kosher? Chessed is a beautiful middah, but it seems that chessed that is only done with one’s friends (and not even with one’s family) is not much to be proud of.
There are people who are nice (or at least try to appear so) to people outside the family. With friends, acquaintances, and strangers they know how to be polite and gracious, and even appreciative or apologetic when circumstances demand. At home, however, they neglect their own families. That’s not a kosher sign. Charity begins at home.
That’s why a person needs two sifrei Torah, so that the Torah’s teachings accompany us wherever we go, no matter whom we are with.
