Give Your Teacher Time to Learn
For October 10, 2022
Deuteronomy 33:10
יוֹר֤וּ מִשְׁפָּטֶ֙יךָ֙ לְיַעֲקֹ֔ב וְתוֹרָתְךָ֖ לְיִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל יָשִׂ֤ימוּ קְטוֹרָה֙ בְּאַפֶּ֔ךָ וְכָלִ֖יל עַֽל־מִזְבְּחֶֽךָ׃
They shall teach Your laws to Jacob
And Your instructions to Israel.
They shall offer You incense to savor
And whole- burnt-offerings on Your altar.
The text here speaks of the tribe of Levi. From its inception, this tribe had a strong connection with the light of G-d. In Egypt, it had been exempt from labour and had always been able to focus on study. It was this tribe - partly because of its study - that did not grumble at the waters of Meriba and had not partaken in the mistake of the Golden Calf. She was given the task of teaching the people about G-d's Torah, His Commandments and His Laws.
The tribe of Levi was not given its own territory in the land. This had three advantages. They did not have to cultivate this land, which meant that the time was there to devote to study, which made it easier to teach the people. The second advantage was that this tribe spread throughout the land, and thus knowledge about Torah and G-d was not limited to 1 area. Another advantage was that if they had to judge between two parties it was easier to remain completely impartial.
Translating this image on a global scale the Jewish people were spread all over the world for centuries, through this they spread the light of Torah all over the world. And her knowledge and wisdom influenced many areas. Ah how great the light would have been if the nations had really recognised this and accepted the people's knowledge of Torah instead of fighting it.
But in the time of Messiah, the people - and we see this already today - will be able to spread the light in peace and the people will listen and learn.
Who also see how important it is for this tribe (and on a global level the people) to be exempted from physical labour, so that they can study and thereby the people can learn and, where necessary, administer justice.
In a general sense, we see the importance of Torah study. It makes you stronger in times when the water seems bitter, when you fear missing guidance. Because you know that G-d is your Leader and you trust that even bitter water will turn out to be sweet afterwards.
Brought By Angelique Sijbolts
Angelique Sijbolts is one of the main writers for the Noahide Academy. She has been an observant Noahide for many years. She studies Torah with Rabbi Perets every week. Angelique invests much of her time in editing video-lectures for the Rabbis of the Academy and contributes in administrating the Academy's website in English and Dutch. She lives in the north of the Netherlands. Married and mother of two sons. She works as a teacher in a school with students with special needs. And is a Hebrew Teacher for the levels beginners and intermediate. She likes to walk, to read and play the piano.
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