<b>All of the commandment that I command you today (Deuteronomy 8:1):</b> This is what the verse stated (Proverbs 4:22), "They are life to him who finds them, healing for his whole body," [meaning that] anyone who finds words of Torah, finds life. Hence it is written, "They are life to him who finds them." Do not read it as "to him who finds them (<i>lemotsaeihem</i>)," but rather as "to him who expresses them (<i>lemotsieihem</i>)." Another interpretation of "They are life to him who finds them": To him who expresses them orally as is fitting. There is a story about a student of Rabbi Eliezer ben Yaakov who was proficient in learning. From his familiarity with the his learning, he would go over all of his learning from when he entered the bathhouse to when he stood to perspire and when he would bathe. [But he forgot it all] because he did not express it orally. Hence it is written, "They are life to him who finds them," [meaning to him who expresses them]. Another interpretation of "They are life to him who finds them," to others. And a man should not teach words of Torah unless he expresses them as is fit [with their] conclusion and explanation. As so did Moshe say to them, "When you teach Torah, be precise with all of it." Hence it is stated, "All of the commandment that I command you today shall you be careful to fulfill, in order that you shall live." This is what the verse stated (Proverbs 2:1), "My son, if you accept [M]y statements." Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said, "When are you called My son? When you accept My statements. And so [too] is it stated (Deuteronomy 14:1), 'You are children of the Lord, your God.' When are you children? When you [belong] to the Lord, your God, such that you are observing My commandments." Hence is it written, "My son, if you accept [M]y statements." [You will be] "My son if you accept [M]y statements," if you have the merit. Another interpretation: You [should] treasure My Torah like a man who has a pearl. So should you toil in the Torah. Hence is it stated (Proverbs 2:1), "and [M]y commandment you treasure with you." Rabbi Abba bar Kahana said, "[There is a relevant] parable. To what is this comparable? To a man who has a mature daughter and wants to waste her on anyone he finds. My Torah is not like that, but rather [only] if you have a merit will you merit [to have] it, 'and My commandment you treasure with you.'" Rabbi Acha says, "You give yourself good deeds and I will save over [their] goodness for you in the world to come - 'How abundant is Your good that You have in store for those who fear You' (Psalms 31:20)." Another interpretation: You should treasure My Torah, like a man who has a pearl and treasures it. So should you toil in the Torah. Therefore is it stated, "and [M]y commandment you treasure with you."