[Parallel to the obligation to study the Torah, there is an
ideal called shimusha shel
Torah,
which in this context means a total and loving involvement in everything that
the Torah stands for.]
“The study of Torah and shimusha
shel Torah are
not only of equal importance, but in our generation we have clearly seen the
tremendous moral deficiency that results from abstract study alone. Even in the
eyes of those who cherish the text of the Torah, and believe in its holiness,
it is like a body without a soul. Thus, Chazal
have said that sometimes shimusha
shel Torah outweighs the study itself, since it is specifically shimusha shel Torah that
upholds the study.”
The Frierdiker Rebbe then speaks of the importance of shimusha shel Torah that
is communicated through chassidishe
stories and at chassidishe
farbrengens,
and the superiority of genuine feeling (regesh)
over understanding. He then concludes:
“Even the external honor of the Torah with its great beauty and
the multitude of people can arouse the feelings of the soul, like all matters
of beauty and splendor. Besides this, the glory and honor of the Torah arouse
the pintele Yid
that is present within every man and woman. This arousal is precious in itself,
and can spark an arousal of teshuva
that will bring a person to choose the ways of Torah and mitzvos.”
(אג"ק אדהריי"צ ח"ו ע' עג
ואילך)
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