Introduction

Hebrew Text

English Translation

Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi said:

Each and every day a heavenly echo goes out from Mount Horeb,

and announces and says:

"Woe to the creatures for disparaging the Torah;"

for anyone who does not involve himself in the Torah is called "rebuked,"

as it is said (Proverbs 11:22): "A ring of gold in a swine's snout is a beautiful woman who turns from discretion,"

and it says (Exodus 32:16): "And the tablets were the work of God, and the writing was the writing of God, graven upon the tablets,"

do not read "graven" (harut) but rather "freedom" (herut),

for there is no free man except one that involves himself in Torah learning;

And anyone who involves himself in Torah learning is elevated,

as it is said (Numbers 21:19): "and from Mattanah, Nahaliel; and from Nahaliel, Bamoth."

Explanation