Torah vs. Mitzvah: When Learning Must Wait
📝 Episode Description:
This episode dives into the Talmudic passage in Moed Katan 9b, where the Gemara grapples with a striking contradiction: Is Torah study greater than all other pursuits—including mitzvot—or must it sometimes step aside?
We explore the distinction the Gemara makes between a mitzvah that others can fulfill and one that only you can do. Why should even the most sacred act of learning be interrupted? Isn’t Torah study an all-encompassing obligation?
Drawing on the insights of R’ Elchanan Wasserman and the Aruch HaShulchan, we examine two profound approaches: one that defines Torah study as a personal obligation limited to moments of availability, and another that sees Torah’s value as inherently tied to action.
This thought-provoking discussion challenges us to rethink the role of Torah—not just as study, but as a force that shapes our priorities and brings purpose to our lives.
