1. The Human Being as a Sefer Torah
In this week’s portion of Chukas—statute, we find an intriguing comparison between a human being and a Sefer Torah—Torah scroll. The verse states, “Zos haTorah Odom”—this is the Torah, a person—which seems to allude to the idea that the Torah and a person are equated. While the simple meaning of the verse refers to the laws when a person dies in a tent (Odom ki yomus b’ohel), the connection between “Torah” and “Odom” is emphasized in many places in the Talmud. Just as a person is made up of body and soul, so too does the Torah have its “body”—the literal words and commandments—and its “soul”—the inner meaning and spiritual depth.
The parallels continue: just as the human body has 248 limbs and 365 sinews, so too does the Torah have 248 positive mitzvos and 365 prohibitions. These correspondences highlight how deeply intertwined our lives are with Torah, both physically and spiritually.
2. Honoring and Respecting the Sefer Torah
The Torah commands us to show great respect for the Sefer Torah. This is why we stand when it is taken out, kiss it, follow it with our eyes, and raise it up for all to see. The Sefer Torah is one of our holiest objects, deserving of utmost honor. If someone disrespects the Torah, that disrespect reflects back on them as well. For example, one should never touch the actual parchment with bare hands. Instead, we use a pointer (yad) or touch only its mantle or cover.
The Talmud teaches that if someone holds the Sefer Torah without its cover—nakedly—they will be “buried naked.” This doesn’t mean physical nakedness but rather lacking in mitzvos: if you hold or use the Sefer Torah disrespectfully, you lose out on the mitzvah you would otherwise gain from honoring it properly. The mantle or cover becomes an extension of the holiness of the Torah itself.
3. The Mantle as an Extension of Holiness
Tosafos explains that even if someone studies Torah but does so while holding it improperly (with bare hands), they do not receive reward for their study because they failed to show proper respect. In earlier times, people learned directly from scrolls rather than printed books, making this issue more common.
This concept is unique: usually, if one performs a mitzvah alongside an aveira (transgression), each act stands on its own (such as tearing garments for mourning on Shabbos). Here, however, disrespecting the Sefer Torah can nullify even the mitzvah of learning itself because proper respect is integral to fulfilling this mitzvah.
4. Right-Handed vs Left-Handed Approaches to Torah
The verse in Mishlei says: “Orech yamim b’yeminah u’bismolah osher v’kavod”—“Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.” The Gemara explains that those who treat Torah with their “right hand”—a metaphor for doing things properly and respectfully—receive all blessings: long life, wealth, and honor. Those who approach with their “left hand,” meaning less than ideal intent or respect, may receive wealth and honor but not long life.
This distinction isn’t about learning for negative reasons (which can be spiritually harmful), but rather about two legitimate approaches: learning to know what to do (practical guidance) versus learning Lishmo—for its own sake. The highest level is studying simply to connect with Hashem’s wisdom and will.
5. Learning Lishmo vs Learning for Practicality
The Rebbe explains that there are two main motivations for learning Torah: one is to know how to fulfill mitzvos correctly (practical application), which is essential but not ultimate. The higher form is learning Lishmo, purely for its own sake—a desire to connect with Hashem through His wisdom.
This difference parallels our earlier discussion: just as there’s a difference between touching only the mantle versus touching the scroll itself, there’s a difference between learning only for practical reasons versus learning out of pure devotion. Both are valuable but carry different spiritual rewards.
6. Connecting with Our Rebbe on Gimmel Tammuz
This day marks Gimmel Tammuz—the yahrzeit of the Rebbe. I visited the Ohel early this morning on behalf of everyone who sent names for blessings. As we learn from previous letters of the Rebbe: if you want his blessing, you must connect by studying his teachings (Likutey Sichos). Through this connection we become vessels for his blessings—the Rebbe intercedes above on our behalf.
The Rebbe was known as a faithful shepherd (ro’eh ne’eman) who continues caring for his flock even after passing from this world. As explained in Tanya by the Alter Rebbe, after a tzaddik passes away there are no longer physical limitations restricting their influence—if anything, their connection can be even stronger now than during their lifetime.
7. Living by Our Rebbe’s Teachings and Directives
The key to receiving blessings from our Rebbe is remaining spiritually alive by following his directives—taking action in this world according to his guidance. Just as every Jew can be compared to a Sefer Torah, so too did our Rebbe embody both essence (the scroll) and garment (his practical directives). Chief among these was loving every Jew and taking action to help others.
If we remain active in fulfilling these directives—caring for others and engaging positively with our community—we merit continued blessing both physically and spiritually from our Rebbe above.
8. Recognizing Hashem’s Hidden Miracles in Our Lives
The next idea from Likutey Sichos relates to another episode in this week’s parsha: after 38 years wandering in the desert, Bnei Yisrael sang songs of praise following miraculous salvation between mountains (as explained by Rashi). Often Hashem performs miracles for us without our awareness until later revelation prompts gratitude instead of complaint.
This teaches us always to look out for Hashem’s kindnesses in our lives rather than focusing on disappointments or challenges. If we pay attention and recognize these hidden miracles, we will respond with song (shira) instead of complaint.
The prayer is that Hashem should make His kindnesses openly visible so we don’t have to search hard for them—may we experience only good occasions together with continued guidance from our Rebbe until Mashiach’s arrival and Tchias HaMeisim—resurrection of all our loved ones together with all leaders of Israel speedily in our days.