714. Torah of Hesed [Mercy/Grace]

“Rabbi Elazar said, ‘Why is it written, ‘She opened her mouth with wisdom and the Torah [law] of mercy was on her tongue’? Is there Torah of mercy and Torah that is not of mercy? Torah Lishma [for Her sake] is Torah of mercy. Lo Lishma [not for Her sake] is Torah that is not of mercy. It is said, ‘Torah to teach is Torah of mercy; not to teach is Torah that is not of mercy’’” (Sukkah 49b).

Hesed means bestowal for the sake of the Creator. “To teach” means to teach the body, as in “I have created the evil inclination; I have created the Torah as a spice.”