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Haven on Earth
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Haven on Earth
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The Written Torah with the Oral Torah and the editors introduction.
'WE WILL DO AND WE WILL HEAR!'
In what context is this classic statement? In the Written Torah:
'AND HE (MOSHE) TOOK THE BOOK OF THE COVENANT, AND READ IN THE HEARING OF THE PEOPLE: AND THEY SAID, ALL THAT THE L~RD HAS SAID WE WILL DO, AND OBEY.' SHEMOT 24.
And in the Oral Torah:
'MOSHE RECEIVED THE TRADITION FROM SINAI AND TRANSMITTED IT . . .' AVOT 1. 'WHAT SORT OF DISPUTE WAS FOR THE SAKE OF HEAVEN? THE DISPUTE BETWEEN HILLEL AND SHAMMAI.' AVOT 5. 'HILLEL AND SHAMMAI RECEIVED THE TRADITION . . . HILLEL SAYS: BE AMONG THE DISCIPLES OF AHARON, LOVING PEACE AND PURSUING PEACE, LOVING PEOPLE AND BRINGING THEM CLOSE TO THE TORAH . . . SHAMMAI SAYS: MAKE YOUR TORAH A FIXED PRACTICE; SAY LITTLE AND DO MUCH; AND RECEIVE EVERYONE WITH A CHEERFUL FACE.' AVOT 1.
And this editors instruction: before reading any further note that this collection of creative writing is intended to inspire the reader to want to know more but not to be held as authoritative in Torah Law. To learn Torah Law one can only do so from a licensed instructor. The present editor of Haven on Earth - Shining if finishing does not hold a license to instruct Torah Law, not because traditional ordination has been revived and this editor received the tradition, but for lack of study as Shammai says, 'Make your Torah a fixed practice . . . and receive everyone' (see above).
Thus, with respect to our teachers, this editor is among the majority of Torah students, those students at a distance and students close at hand. We pray, May Torah grow for righteousness sake! As Hillel says, 'Loving . . . and bringing them close to the Torah.' (See above). End.