Another matter: “They shall take Me a gift” – that is what is written: “Moses commanded us the Torah” (Deuteronomy 33:4). Rabbi Simlai expounded: Six hundred and thirteen mitzvot were given to Israel through Moses, as that is the numerical value of Torah.12Tav is four hundred, vav is six, resh is two hundred, and heh is five, for a total of six hundred and eleven, as the midrash is about to note. If you say it is only six hundred and eleven, and where are the other two; the Rabbis say: “I am [the Lord your God]” (Exodus 20:2) and, “You shall have no [other gods]” (Exodus 20:3) they heard from the mouth of the Almighty, and Moses told them six hundred and eleven, as it is stated: “Moses commanded us the Torah, a heritage…” (Deuteronomy 33:4).
Do not read “a heritage [morasha],” but an inheritance [yerusha]; it is an eternal inheritance for Israel. This is analogous to the son of kings who was taken captive overseas when he was young. Even after several years, he is not shy, because he says: I am returning to the inheritance of my ancestors. So too, a Torah scholar who leaves the Torah and engages in other matters, even after several years, if he seeks to return he is not shy, because he says: I am returning to the inheritance of my ancestors.
Another matter: “Heritage” – do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]. Just as a groom, as long as he has not married his betrothed he is a frequent visitor to his father-in-law’s house; once he marries her, her father comes to her. So too, until the Torah was given to Israel, “Moses ascended to God” (Exodus 19:3). Once the Torah was given, the Holy One blessed be He said to Moses: “They shall craft a Sanctuary for Me, and I will dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
Another matter: Do not read it “heritage [morasha],” but rather, betrothed [me’orasa]; this teaches that the Torah is betrothed to Israel, as it is stated: “I will betroth you to Me forever” (Hosea 2:21). From where is it derived that it is like a married woman for the idolaters?13Since the Torah is compared to a woman who is betrothed to Israel, if other nations study it they are compared to one who commits adultery with a married woman.
From where is it derived that they are punished as adulterers? As it is stated: “Can a man stoke fire in his bosom, and his clothes not be burned? If a man walks on hot coals, will his feet not be scalded? So is one who consorts with another’s wife” (Proverbs 6:27–29).14The verse compares one who commits adultery to one who touches fire.
Since Torah is compared to fire (see Jeremiah 23:29), the comparison indicates that non-Jews who engage in Torah study are considered as though they commit adultery (Midrash HaMevo’ar).