Is it just for a select few, a royal inheritance? Or is it for everyone?

Sifrei Devarim, a fascinating commentary on the Book of Deuteronomy, tackles this head-on. It begins by questioning the verse, "Torah was commanded to us by Moses" (Deuteronomy 33:4). Is the Torah solely from Moses? The answer, emphatically, is no! It’s not just Moses. It's an inheritance, as Deuteronomy also says, "the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob." (Deuteronomy 33:4). But here’s where it gets interesting. Does that mean it’s only for the "sons of kings," for the elite? Is the Torah just for them?

Sifrei Devarim doesn’t stop there. It asks: How do we know this inheritance extends to everyone, even "the sons of non-kings"? And the answer lies in another verse: "You are standing this day, all of you…" (Deuteronomy 29:9). “All of you.” It’s pretty clear, isn’t it? Everyone is included.

But there's another, even more evocative interpretation offered. Instead of reading the word for "inheritance" – morashah – we can read it as me'orasah, which means "betrothed." The Torah, in this reading, isn't just an inheritance, it's betrothed to Israel.

What does that mean? It means that just as a married woman is forbidden to other men, so too, the Torah is, in a sense, reserved for the Jewish people. It’s a powerful metaphor, isn’t it? It highlights the special, intimate relationship between the Jewish people and the Torah.

The text then drives the point home with a stark analogy from Proverbs (6:27-29): "Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Or can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched? So is he who sleeps with another man’s wife; no one who touches her will go unpunished." It’s a fiery image, isn't it? The Torah, "the betrothed of the congregation of Jacob," is not to be trifled with.

So, what are we left with? On one hand, the Torah is an inheritance for everyone, a gift freely given. On the other hand, it's a sacred bond, a betrothal, demanding respect and commitment. Perhaps it’s both. Perhaps the key lies in understanding that while the Torah is accessible to all, it requires a certain level of dedication and understanding to truly appreciate its depths. It is a gift, yes, but a gift that comes with responsibilities, a relationship to be nurtured.