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(continued)
B. Since Torah study is the greatest Mitzvah one could perform, next to giving Tzedakah, the Torah scholar is historically the most respected personality in the Jewish community. (Torah study itself—both learning and teaching—is Positive Mitzvah #11.) However, the humility factor comes into play again, and the Torah scholar, closer to Truth than the average layman, remains humbled by its power.
C. In Positive Mitzvah #209, the Torah accords great respect to the Talmid Chacham (pronounced TAHL-mid KHAH-kham), literally “wise student,” the traditional phrase for the Torah scholar. One is to rise before him, give him front-row seats and otherwise show him honor. The classic books of Halachah advise parents to marry their children to Torah scholars, and Jewish communities seeking leaders always inquired as to a candidate’s Torah knowledge as the primary deciding factor. Devoting oneself to a Torah scholar, becoming his disciple, serving him, studying under him, and learning from him, is considered devoting one’s self to G-d, as the Torah scholar, having internalized more Torah, is more in tune with G-d’s Will than you.
...sometimes your ego gets in the way... so you need a teacher to point out when you start getting a little too caught up in your mind’s own smug conclusions
The best way to become an authentic Torah scholar is to not want to become a Torah scholar. If you’re looking for self-aggrandizement, forget about serious Torah study. A true student of Torah is not somebody who just wants the title of Talmid Chacham under his belt. Ask yourself, why do I want to study Torah? If you really want to learn, out of pure, innocent desire to know what Torah is, you’re on. If not, you’re off—you should study anyway, but the you're far away from your goal. You can’truly devote yourself to Torah if you’re full of yourself. Discard your ego.
2. Get a teacher
If you’ve used your intellect to teach yourself things, you’re well equipped to study Torah. But intellect is like salt—when used properly, it makes the food taste better. When used gratuitously, it can kill. Because intellect is only a hair’s-breadth away from smugness, intellect to Torah is what salt is to food—too much of it, and everything gets corroded, or worse. Studying Torah alone is fine, if you know your limits. But sometimes your ego gets in the way, often without you even realizing it... so you need a teacher to map out the terrain ahead, and to point out when you start getting a little too caught up in your mind’s own smug conclusions.
3. Get close to G-d
As you progress in your attainment of Torah knowledge, stop every now and then to reflect upon what you’re doing. Are you studying just another discipline? No. You are reading G-d’s mind. That’s powerful. That’s sobering. And as you learn more, that powerful sobriety will start to irradiate you, gradually transforming you without you noticing. Real Torah study changes you, makes you more kindly, more spiritual. Because when you’re getting close to G-d, your ego starts to melt. And then you’ll be a true Talmid Chacham. But don’t think about it—just focus on the Torah study, and the magic will work itself, by itself.
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