Wednesday, October 18, 2006

Daf Yomi - Sukkah 46 - Review and gain new insights

The Gemara states that if one listens to the old by constantly reviewing what he has studied, he will be able to gain new insight into what he has previously learned. If, however, one abandons his learning by not reviewing his studies, then he will not be able to gain new insight into what he has studied. The Gemara states that Torah study is akin to fish in the sea, who always ascend to the surface to drink in the new drops of rain, despite the fact that the fish are surrounded by water at all times. Torah study is not a subject where one can assimilate information from a text and then carry on with life. The Gemara in Kiddushin 30a teaches us that the mitzvah of Torah study, derived from the words vishinantam levonecho, you shall teach them thoroughly to your children, necessitates that one constantly delve deeper into Torah. The word vishinantam can also imply review, as the root word is shoneh, which means reputation. One must constantly review his studies, and only then can he be assured that he will gain new insight into Torah.

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