Tuesday, November 8, 2022

Torah education

 Rambam (Mishneh Torah, Repentance 10:5) Anyone who occupies himself with the Torah in order to receive reward or in order to protect himself from retribution is considered as one who is not occupied for the God's sake. In contrast, anyone who occupies himself with it, not because of fear, nor to receive a reward, but rather because of his love for the Lord of the entire earth who commanded it, is one who occupies himself for God's sake. Nevertheless, our Sages declared: A person should always occupy himself with the Torah even when it is not for God's sake for out of service which is not intended for God's sake will come service that is intended for God's sake. Therefore, when one teaches children, women, and most of the common people, one should teach them to serve out of fear and in order to receive a reward. As their knowledge grows and their wisdom increases, this secret should be revealed to them slowly, bit by bit. They should become accustomed to this concept gradually until they grasp it and know it and begin serving G-d out of love.

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