Sources and Explanations:
Babylonian Talmud, tractate Sotah (21a): Rabbi Yosef said: A mitzvah, while one is engaged in it, protects and saves; when one is not engaged in it, it protects but does not save. Torah, whether one is engaged in it or not, protects and saves.
See also Babylonian Talmud, tractate Sanhedrin (94b): “And it shall come to pass on that day that his burden shall depart from upon your shoulder, and his yoke from upon your neck; and the yoke shall be destroyed because of the oil.” Rabbi Yitzchak Nappacha said: Sancheriv’s yoke was destroyed because of Chizkiyahu’s oil, which burned in synagogues and batei midrash.
Much more could be elaborated on this matter, but this is its essence and foundation.
This response was translated automatically from Hebrew and has not yet been reviewed by a person. Therefore, it may contain inaccuracies and should not be considered a definitive reference.
