by Rabbi David Woznica
Prior to the electronic and digital era, friends often began conversations with “What’s on Your Bedside Table?” It was not uncommon to have books on one’s bedside table and asking people what they are reading often leads to thoughtful discussions.
So, what are you reading?
If it is not there currently, I want to suggest a book to add to your nightstand. It’s the holiest of Jewish books, the Torah. It’s an interesting phenomenon, we show great reverence for the Sefer Torah (the scroll). We stand when the Torah is taken out of the ark. It is the only thing Jews have ever crowned (Jewish kings did not wear crowns). We chant its words publicly in Hebrew every week.
And yet, how many have read it “cover to cover?”
The Torah contains the mitzvot and the values that are to guide our lives. It reflects the ideals that we, as a people, were chosen to bring to our world. How can we live and encourage these ideals if we don’t read and study them regularly?
I suggest you use a hard copy book, not an electronic, digital version. The Torah isn’t to be read once and there is satisfaction seeing the pages yellow, or even fade, over time of constant use. I have a fond memory of one of my teachers carrying his Chumash (the Hebrew word for a “book” bound Torah). The binder was broken, pages dogeared and the book was reinforced with a rubber band. He treasured it.
Today the English translations flow comfortably and there are illuminating explanations (commentaries) available. Find one you like and wear it out.
A few years ago, I asked Rabbi Zeldin what he was reading. In addition to newspapers and journals, he told me he always read the weekly Torah portion. That a man in his 90’s who had been reading the Torah for many decades continued to do so every week was both revealing and beautiful. No doubt, his life was made richer by it. So can ours.