Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic interpretations of the Book of Psalms, opens by exploring this very idea. It begins with the verse, "For they delight in the Torah of the Lord, and in His Torah they meditate day and night." The Midrash connects this to another verse, "And the way of your word leads to success," suggesting that true success comes from immersing ourselves in Torah study. It's not just about knowing the words, but about delighting in them.
But what does it mean to "delight" in Torah? The Midrash tells us that it is about creating a community of learners, gathering the wise not to flatter them, but to speak truth and challenge each other. The text praises generations of scholars who taught and debated the Torah, citing Rabbi Yochanan and Rabbi Shimon ben Lakish as prime examples, pictured sitting together, intensely discussing the meaning of the text.
And what makes the Torah so delightful? “Your Torah is full of wonders," we read in Psalms 119:129. Rabbi Chiya adds a beautiful image to this, saying that if you desire the Torah, “written with wonders and given with the right hand, as it says, 'From His right hand came a fiery law for them' (Deuteronomy 33:2), then you are destined to sit and teach and impart knowledge.” It’s a Torah that’s not just handed down, but actively explored, questioned, and then passed on to others.
Rabbi Abba takes this idea even further. He says that if you delve deeply into the Torah, it might even be named after you! He gives the examples of the Mishnah of Rabbi Hoshaya and Bar Kappara. The Mishnah is the first major written collection of the Jewish oral traditions, and to have a portion of it named after you is a testament to the profound impact you've had on its understanding. Why are these teachings named after them? Because they delved deeply into it.
The Midrash then makes a powerful statement: "You should know that this is the Torah of the Holy One, blessed be He, as it says, 'The Torah of the Lord is perfect' (Psalms 19:8)." To emphasize this point, the text recounts Moses' ascent to heaven. He spent forty days there, giving his life to bring the Torah down to us. That's why it's named after him, as it says, "Remember the Torah of Moses, My servant" (Malachi 3:22).
So, what can we take away from this? The Midrash Tehillim invites us to see the Torah not just as a set of rules or stories, but as a living, breathing source of wonder and inspiration. It encourages us to engage with it deeply, to question, to debate, and to share our insights with others. When we do, we not only enrich our own lives but also contribute to the ongoing unfolding of Torah. Maybe, just maybe, a small piece of it will even be named after you.