S.A.L.T. - Thursday

Parashat Bechukotai opens by promising blessing and prosperity should Benei Yisrael observe the Torah. The first verse reads, "If you walk in accordance with My laws… " Apparently influenced by the verb "walk" in this context, the Midrash Rabba here records a famous comment attributed to King David. He is said to have told the Almighty, "Everyday I would calculate and say, I am going to this place or this residence; yet, my feet would bring me to the Batei Kenesset and Batei Midrash." In this light the Midrash reads the following verse (written by David) in Sefer Tehillim (119:59): "I have considered my ways, and have turned back to Your laws." Meaning, no matter where he considers going, David always ends up "back to Your laws," in the houses of study and prayer. Implicitly, the Midrash reads our verse, "If you walk… " as referring to this level of affinity for Torah.

This Midrash begs for an explanation. How could David's legs take him to places against his own will? Additionally, as king of a major empire, David presumably had important responsibilities resting on his shoulders; did he really miss all his cabinet meetings because his legs led him to the local yeshiva?

The deeper meaning of this Midrash is revealed to us by the Rebbe of Kotzk. In truth, David, a capable and responsible leader, tended to his business as required and competently oversaw the needs of the monarchy. Practically speaking, his legs led him to nowhere other than the places where he knew he needed to go. This Midrash stresses, however, the careful "calculation" or "consideration" David conducted as he drew up his day's schedule. He viewed his work - however important and worthwhile - as an unfortunate loss of opportunity for Torah study. David did not avoid involvement in mundane affairs, but he did recognize the spiritual cost entailed. This process of "calculation," says the Kotzker, intensified David's longing for Torah. Appreciating the sacrifice involved in taking time away from learning increased his appetite for study. Therefore, when free time availed itself, David naturally proceeded to the Beit Midrash.

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