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Lots of Torah

Avot (2:8) | Yisrael Bankier | 2 days ago

The Mishnah (2:8) records that R' Yochanan ben Zakkai would say, if you learnt a lot of Torah, do not credit yourself (al tachzik tova le'atzmecha), for that is why you were created (le'kach notzarta).

The way we have translated al tachzik tova le'atzmecha accords with the Bartenura who explains that one should not say to themselves, I have learnt lots of Torah. R' Yonah explains that that is because the depth and breadth of Torah is almost limitless, with an endpoint that the human intellect cannot reach.

The Tosfot Yom Tov continues citing Rashi, who explains that le'kach notzarta means that when the world was created, its existence hinged on the study of Torah. Consequently, there is an obligation placed upon us for its continued study. R' Yonah explains that this is similar to one who pays off his loan. Taking credit would seem strange in that context and that is how this obligation should be perceived.

R' Yonah continues that this understanding would apply equally to the world of mitzvot; we were created for the fulfillment of mitzvah. Indeed some Rishonim have a different reading of the Mishnah that supports this understanding. Instead of "if you learnt a lot of Torah" they have "if you made your Torah plenty", which the Abarbanel explains to mean that you translated your study of Torah into much action.

The Tifferet Yisrael explains similarly that one should not assume to take full credit for their success. He however explains that le'kach notzarta to mean that this is because your excellence relative to your peers may not be due to your effort. Instead, a large part of your success may be due to your sharp intellect or powerful memory that you were blessed with. It is possible that a peer that was not granted those talents, nevertheless applied himself more than you, despite his "achievements" paling in comparison. In such a case, his rewards will far exceed yours.

A related explanation is found in the Chasdei Avot. He cites R' Chaim Sargusi who explains that "le'kach notzarta" is part of what one should not say. In other words, that Mishnah is warning that if you have achieved a lot, do not be comfortable and assumed that you have done all that Hashem has required of you. He continues citing the Rambam who responded to a person that was confident he had not sinned and asked whether he should "lie" on Yom Kippur and say vidui. The Rambam responded that we do not appreciate the extent and demands that Hashem placed on us. Furthermore, each person is judged according to his wisdom. The Rambam responded that if he could appreciate it, vidui would be extremely relevant.

The Midrash Shmuel however gives a different explanation of al tachzik tova le'atzmecha. He explains that if you have learnt a lot of Torah, do not keep that good to yourself. Rather, you were formed to share and teach what you have learnt. The Lev Avot adds, that to learn and not teach cannot be why you were created. The proof is that one is taught the entirety of Torah before they are born. Rather we were placed here to share that with others.

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