Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish said: The Torah that the Holy One blessed be He gave, its parchment was white fire, and it was written with black fire. It is fire, it is hewn from fire, it is completely formed of fire, and was given in fire. That is what is written: “From His right, a fiery law to them” (Deuteronomy 33:2).
“His eyes are like doves beside streams of water; they are bathed in milk, well set” (Song of Songs 5:12). “His eyes are like doves”; “his eyes” – these are the Sanhedrin, who are the eyes of the congregation, as it is stated: “It shall be if from the eyes of the congregation [it was performed unwittingly]” (Numbers 15:24).60This verse presents the law that if the Sanhedrin issued a mistaken ruling that was followed by the congregation, a special sin-offering must be brought (see Horayot 5b). There are two hundred and forty-eight limbs in a person, and all of them follow the eyes. So too, Israel is unable to do anything without its Sanhedrin. “Beside streams of water” – as they61The Sages of the Sanhedrin. are fortified by the waters of Torah, as Rabbi Ḥama bar Ukva said: Words of Torah fortify all those who engage in them with proper devotion. “They are bathed in milk” – these are the halakhot that they clarify with their teeth until they render them as clean as milk.62They review and clarify the halakhot until they have a clear understanding of them and can explain them in a lucid fashion. The reference to teeth [shinayim] is meant to indicate that the Sages can explain with their mouths the halakhot in a clear manner (Etz Yosef). Alternatively, the statement of the midrash may be translated to mean that the Sages clarify the halakhot by studying together in groups of two [shenayim] until they understand them clearly (Matnot Kehuna). “Well set [al milet]” – with the fullness [mele’atah] of Torah.