692. The Torah Is Called Tushiya – 1

Sanhedrin 26b: “Rabbi Hanin said, ‘Why is her name Tushiya? It is because she Mateshet [wanes/exhausts] a person’s strength.’ Another interpretation: Tushiya, since she was given in secret because of Satan.” RASHI interpreted that he slanders and says, “Let it be given to the upper ones and let the tablets not be given to Moses.” “Another interpretation: Tushiya, matters of Tohu [formlessness], on which the world is based.”

RASHI interpreted, “Matters of Tohu, speech, and aimless reading, and any speaking without real substance, like that Tohu. And yet, the world is based on them. The acronym is Tav-Yod-Vav, Tohu, Shiyha—based.”

Ulla said, “A thought helps even words of Torah, as was said, ‘revokes the thoughts of the cunning, and they will not make it Tushiya.’” RASHI interpreted—helps, causes them to forget what they learned. “Revokes the thoughts of the cunning”: He gives them nourishment and cancels the thoughts in their hearts that did not let them perform Tushiya.

Another interpretation: A thought that a person calculates—I will get this and that—helps to arrest the matter, so his thought does not come true, even for words of Torah, like one who says, “Until this and that day, I will learn this and that many treatises in the Talmud.” “Revokes the thoughts of the wicked,” meaning his thoughts do not succeed even for Tushiya.

Tosfot: RIBA interpreted: Man’s concern for his nourishment causes him to forget all his other thoughts, even thoughts of words of Torah. Some interpret “helps” as “lying and will not succeed.” That is, if a person contemplates becoming rich, as well as words of Torah, he will not succeed, but only when he works Lishma [for Her sake].

The MAHARSHA: We should also say about words of Torah, that what works most is the thought in the heart, and it is not enough to learn it in the mind. Rather, it must be chewed in the mouth, as well, as was said, “By twisting the lips, it is an act.” This is as it is written, “revokes the thoughts of the cunning.” He who learns Torah only in thought, revokes, and it is forgotten from him. “And they will not make it [Tushiya],” so the Torah does not become an act, unless by speech.

Raba said, “If one engages Lishma, it does not help, as was said, ‘Many are thoughts in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord shall be established.’ A counsel in which there is the counsel of the Creator, this will be established.”