Torah L’Shma and Torah Shelo L’Shma
The Avnei Nezer zy”a (quoted in Siach Sarfei Kodesh) explains Rashi’s words by quoting the Gemara (Yoma 72B) that says about the Torah: “If one merits (zocheh) it is an elixir of life for him. If one does not merit, it becomes a poison of death.” He explains that if ones Torah is pure (the “zocheh” can mean either to merit or to purify) and is studied l’sheim shomayim, he can reach great levels through it. But if one’s Torah is impure, meaning that it is learned with ulterior motives, it will not provide as much benefits. However, it still will be “a poison for death”, meaning that it will be effective to save the person from harm.
This is hinted to by the words “crushed for lighting”. This means that the merit of Torah illuminates a person’s life and grants him many blessings. However, this is only true if the Torah is “crushed” and purified to remove all sediment. “Menachos.” on the other hand, are brought to atone for sins. They are symbolic of the Torah’s power to save a person from harm. For that, the Torah does not have to be free of impurities. It could even be not fully l’shmah to get this benefit.
