Whoever Finds Torah Finds Life And God Is Found

Midrash Mishlei 8:6

"For whoso findeth me findeth life" (Prov. 8:35) — the one who is found (matzui) constantly among the words of Torah, the Holy One, blessed be He, said: I am found (matzui) for him in every place. "And shall obtain favor from the LORD" (Prov. 8:35) — everyone who brings forth (mefik) words of Torah in public brings forth favor from HaShem, blessed be He. "But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul" (Prov. 8:36) — the Holy One, blessed be He, said to the wicked: If you sin before Me, do you suppose that I lose anything? It is your own souls that you ruin. And not only that, but you suppose that you are bringing life upon yourselves, whereas you are bringing upon yourselves nothing but death, as it is said, "All they that hate me love death" (Prov. 8:36): do not read mesan'ai (those who hate Me) but masni'ai (those who cause others to hate [the Torah]) (Prov. 8:36).

Themes