It’s more than just nostalgia, more than just remembering the "good old days." It's about survival. Spiritual survival. And that's exactly what Midrash Tehillim, a collection of rabbinic teachings on the Book of Psalms, helps us understand.
In Midrash Tehillim 78, we find ourselves wrestling with this very question: how do we ensure the Torah, God's teachings, remains alive in our hearts and minds, and in the hearts and minds of our children? The passage opens with a powerful instruction: "Make Asaph listen to my teaching." But who is Asaph? Well, Asaph was a Levite, a musician, and a poet, credited with writing several of the Psalms. So, why this specific instruction to him?
The key lies in Deuteronomy 4:9-10, which urges us to "keep your soul diligently, lest you forget the things that your eyes have seen." It's not enough to simply experience something profound; we must actively remember, internalize, and then—crucially—teach it to our children and grandchildren. Remember Horeb, the mountain where God spoke to Moses? That moment of revelation wasn't just for those present; it was a legacy to be carried forward.
The text emphasizes that God’s covenant with Israel wasn't just for their benefit in that moment, but "for the sake of the Torah so that it would not be forgotten from their mouths." The Torah, you see, isn't just a set of rules or stories; it's the very lifeblood of the Jewish people. As Psalm 78:5 says, "And He established a testimony in Jacob and appointed a law in Israel."
And here's a profound thought: the Torah is described as an "elixir of life." A healing remedy. Deuteronomy 32:47 states, "For it is not an empty thing for you, because it is your life." Think about that for a second. This isn't just about following commandments; it's about embracing a path that sustains us, nourishes us, and connects us to something far greater than ourselves.
But it doesn't stop there. The Midrash expands our understanding of what constitutes Torah. It's not just the explicitly legal or narrative parts. It's also the "riddles and parables that are allegories of the Torah," as Psalm 78:2 puts it: "I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings from of old." Even the seemingly obscure or enigmatic passages hold profound truths, waiting to be unlocked. We see this echoed in Ezekiel 17:2, where God instructs Ezekiel to "put forth a riddle and speak a parable to the house of Israel," and in Proverbs 1:6, which speaks of understanding "a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles."
So, when Asaph proclaims, "Make Asaph listen to my teaching. The Psalms are Torah," he's not just saying that the Psalms are important. He's saying that they are an integral part of this living, breathing tradition. They are part of the healing remedy, as Proverbs 3:8 tells us: "It will be health to your flesh."
The Midrash paints a picture of a vibrant, dynamic tradition, constantly being reinterpreted and reapplied to new circumstances. It’s a reminder that the Torah isn’t a static text, but a living conversation between God, the Jewish people, and each succeeding generation. So, what are the stories, the lessons, the wisdom that you will pass on? What part will you play in keeping this ancient tradition alive and thriving?