For the Gift of Torah Scholarship
Studying Torah is a sacred duty. Loving Torah is a way of life. This prayer follows a format from a series of prayers thanking G-d for various forms of artistry: song, dance, art. Why? Study of sacred text is, indeed, an artistic endeavor, combining a wide variety of skills and knowledge, ranging from scripture and history to commentary, grammar and vocabulary, as well as logic, symbolism and allegory. Here are more prayers and stories for use on Shavuot. To listen as you read, click on the triangle in the bar below. The text follows.
For the Gift of Torah Scholarship
G-d, we give thanks for the gift of scholarship,
For wisdom, insight and understanding,
For the gift that unlocks treasures hidden in Your Holy Word.
You gave us Torah at Sinai
And righteous men and women to be Your messengers,
Revealing divine secrets stage-by-stage.
Hear this prayer for those who study Talmud and Torah,
Mishna and Gemara,
Zohar, Musar and Tanya,
The words by G-d to Israel,
The lessons of scholars of every generation.
Make their thoughts Your vessel.
Let heaven pour Your voice into them
So that they overflow with sacred fire
Drawing others to Your word.
So that when we hear Your mysteries,
Our souls turn back to You in joyous reunion.
Together, we offer the light back to heaven,
And rejoice.
Postscript: Be sure to check out “For the Gift of Song,” “For the Gift of Dance,” “For the Gift of Art,” “For the Gift of Words,” “For the Gift of Music” and “For the Gift of Laughter.”
© 2010 Alden Solovy and http://www.tobendlight.com. All rights reserved.
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Photo Source: Judea Reform Congregation
Lots of ambiguity here….is this prayer of thanks appreciating the scholars, the texts they produce, or our own ability to study the texts alongside our predecessors? Or is the answer, All of the above? Or is the answer, Does it really matter?
Although the original intent of the prayer was giving thanks for the scholars of today – both students and teachers – I like the broad scope of how you’re reading this. The gift of Torah scholarship embodies them all.