David Praises Torah Sweeter Than Honey and Fine Gold

(Deuteronomy 7:12:) "AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, AS A CONSEQUENCE THAT YOU HEED." This is what Scripture says (Psalms 19:11-12): "MORE DELIGHTFUL ARE THEY THAN GOLD, EVEN MUCH FINE GOLD, etc.; ALSO YOUR SERVANT IS WARNED BY THEM, etc." Come and see how David praises the word of Torah, as it is said, "MORE DELIGHTFUL ARE THEY THAN GOLD, EVEN MUCH FINE GOLD." And not only that, but among all kinds of grain there is none more beloved than pure semolina, which floats upon the mouth; yet the words of Torah are more beloved than it, as it is said, "AND SWEETER THAN HONEY AND THE DRIPPINGS OF THE HONEYCOMB" (ibid.). Rabbi Hanina said: If you should say that among all liquids there is nothing sweeter than honey, the words of Torah are sweeter than honey. David said before the Holy One, blessed be He: Master of the Universe, if You should say that they are sweet, then Heaven forbid that I should have denied them; rather, "ALSO YOUR SERVANT IS WARNED BY THEM; IN KEEPING THEM THERE IS GREAT REWARD" (ibid.). Therefore (Psalms 31:20), "HOW ABUNDANT IS YOUR GOODNESS, etc." This is your reward for the light commandments.