Rabbi Nechunya Ben Hakanah Said: "Whenever A Person Takes Upon Himself The Yoke Of Torah, The Yoke Of Government And The Yoke Of Worldly Affairs Are Removed From Him. Whenever, By Contrast, A Person Casts Off The Yoke Of Torah, The Yoke Of Government And The Yoke Of Worldly Affairs Are Imposed Upon Him."

The Yoke Of Torah

This expression is problematic, for the study of the Torah is a self-rewarding process, as implied by the verse:[21] "I rejoice in Your statements like one who has found a great treasure." Why then is Torah study considered a yoke?

It can, however, be explained that this mishnah is referring to a person whose involvement in worldly affairs prevents him from experiencing the satisfaction and pleasure of Torah study. Instead, Torah study is a yoke, an obligation which he must fulfill.

The mishnah teaches us that if the person perseveres in the study of Torah despite his involvement in worldly affairs, he will be freed from these preoccupations; the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly affairs will be removed from him. As the Rambam explains:[22]

We are promised by the Torah that if we fulfill it with joy and good spirit... G-d will remove all the obstacles that prevent us from maintaining it....

He will grant us all the good that will reinforce our observance... so that we will not be preoccupied... by matters required by the body, and [thus have the opportunity to] study wisdom and perform mitzvos.

When, however, a person endeavors to reduce the tensions he faces by casting off the yoke of the Torah, the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly affairs are imposed upon him. The challenges he faces in the world at large will increase, rather than decrease.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Behar, 5719)

Alternatively, the "yoke of Torah" can refer to a person who experiences satisfaction and pleasure in the study of Torah, but dedicates himself to study above and beyond the point of satisfaction.

Every person has certain subjects which interest him and afford him pleasure. The mishnah is teaching us that a person must go beyond these natural tendencies. It promises that if a person succeeds in doing so, G-d will reward him by lifting him above the natural limits of the world and removing "the yoke of government and the yoke of worldly affairs" from him.

(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Vaes'chanan, 5745)

   

Notes:

21. (Back to text) Tehillim 119:162.

22. (Back to text) Mishnah Torah, Hilchos Teshuvah 9:1.