Torah is compared to rain and to dew (Parshas Haazinu).
The Talmud explores the comparison. What is the metaphor of Torah compared to water meant to signify?
One approach: When studying properly Torah is like dew which is gentle, nurturing, and accepted. If, however, a person uses Torah in a haughty, manipulative way, then Torah hits hard, like pelting rain.
Similarly, the Talmud teaches that water is a metaphor for Torah in that water flows to a low point. This symbolizes that Torah flows to a person who is humble and has reverence to study Hashem’s will.
A classic example of this was Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya who achieved astounding excellence in Torah, and attributed his achievements to the fact that he was not attractive looking and was therefore naturally humble.
Another comparison: Torah is compared to the liquids water, wine, and milk, because one must pay attention to guard them so that they should not get contaminated. In contrast honey and oil are able to push away and exclude a contaminant.
Rashi explains that guarding Torah means to constantly review.
Torah is compared to rain and to dew (Parshas Haazinu).
The Talmud explores the comparison. What is the metaphor of Torah compared to water meant to signify?
One approach: When studying properly Torah is like dew which is gentle, nurturing, and accepted. If, however, a person uses Torah in a haughty, manipulative way, then Torah hits hard, like pelting rain.
Similarly, the Talmud teaches that water is a metaphor for Torah in that water flows to a low point. This symbolizes that Torah flows to a person who is humble and has reverence to study Hashem’s will.
A classic example of this was Rabbi Yehoshua ben Chananya who achieved astounding excellence in Torah, and attributed his achievements to the fact that he was not attractive looking and was therefore naturally humble.
Another comparison: Torah is compared to the liquids water, wine, and milk, because one must pay attention to guard them so that they should not get contaminated. In contrast honey and oil are able to push away and exclude a contaminant.
Rashi explains that guarding Torah means to constantly review.