Torah Is Greater Than Priesthood Or Royalty. For Royalty Is Acquired [Together] With [30] Tendencies, And The Priesthood With 24, But For One To Acquire Torah, He Must Have The Following 48 Tendencies:
- Study,
- Attentive Listening,
- Verbal Articulation,
- An Understanding Heart,
- Dread And Awe,
- Humility,
- Joy,
- Purity,
- Serving The Sages,
- Close Association With Colleagues,
- Sharp Discussion With Students,
- Sobriety,
- [Knowledge Of] Scripture [And Of] Mishnah,
- A Minimum Of Business Activity,
- A Minimum Of Preoccupation With Worldly Matters,
- A Minimum Of Indulgence In [Worldly] Pleasure,
- A Minimum Of Sleep,
- A Minimum Of Conversation,
- A Minimum Of Laughter,
- Patience,
- A Good Heart,
- Faith In The Sages,
- Acceptance Of Suffering,
- Knowing His Place,
- Being Happy With His Lot,
- Making A Fence Around His Words,
- Remains Modest Despite His Achievements,
- Being Loved [By Others],
- Loving G-D,
- Loving [His] Created Beings,
- Loving The Ways Of Righteousness,
- Loving Justice,
- Loving Reproof,
- Keeping Far From Honor,
- Not Being Arrogant While Studying,
- Not Taking Pleasure In Handing Down [Halachic] Decisions,
- Bearing The Burden With His Fellow,
- Judging Him Favorably [Giving Him The Benefit Of The Doubt],
- Establishing Him In [The Path Of] Truth,
- Establishing Him In [The Way Of] Peace,
- Deliberating In His Study,
- Asking And Answering,
- Listening And Adding [To His Acquired Knowledge],
- Learning In Order To Teach,
- Learning In Order To Practice,
- Increasing The Wisdom Of His Teacher,
- Properly Understanding The Intent Of What He Learns, And
- Quoting A Concept In The Name Of Its Author.
Indeed, We Have Learned: Whoever Quotes A Concept In The Name Of Its Author Brings Redemption To The World, As It Is Stated:30 "And Esther Told The King In The Name Of Mordechai."
This beraisa is somewhat problematic. Generally, emphasizing the advantages that one quality possesses over another helps a person orient his priorities and seek the quality that offers the greatest advantage. But it is impossible for an ordinary person to acquire the qualities of priesthood or royalty. [31] Why, then, is it necessary to emphasize that Torah study possesses superior virtues?
The intent, however, is that within the realm of Torah itself, there are qualities which represent priesthood (i.e., the ability to summon up one's most refined potentials) and royalty (the capacity to exercise control over one's deeds). Rather than seek these virtues, a person should study Torah for its own sake, Torah lishmah. One should devote himself to the Torah for the sole purpose of attaining knowledge.
(Sichos Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar, 5724)
The beraisa uses the word "tendencies" rather than "virtues" to emphasize that a person should not be concerned with his own virtue or achievements. Instead, he should humbly view the positive qualities he possesses merely as mediums enabling him to carry out G-d's will.
(Likkutei Sichos, Vol. IX, p. 367)
Appreciating another person's perspective broadens and deepens one's own. It follows that the more colleagues and students with whom one associates, the greater the positive influence on one's growth.
(Likkutei Sichos, Vol. XXIV, p. 98)
We find that Torah sages frequently relate concepts which they have heard from others without mentioning the name of the author. To cite an obvious example: Our Sages comment [32] that Rabbi Eliezer ben Horkenus never communicated a teaching unless he heard it from one of his masters. Nevertheless, we find many teachings from Rabbi Eliezer in which his sources are not mentioned.
Until a student is able to fully comprehend and internalize a teaching he received, he is required to quote it in the name of its author, for the concept still "belongs" to the teacher. Once he has grasped it completely, however, it is his own; he has acquired it by means of his comprehension, and it is now a product of his own thought.
(Likkutei Sichos, Vol. IV, p. 1178; Sichos Yud-Alef Nissan, 5733; Sichos Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Bamidbar, 5739; Sefer HaMaamarim-Meluket, Vol. II, p. 207)
Associating a concept with its author enables one to associate the Author of the ten utterances of creation with His statements, i.e., one is better able to appreciate how G-d's speech is the life-force for creation. This awareness helps one bring the world to a state of Redemption - when the G-dly core of all existence will be openly revealed.
(Sichos Motzoei Shabbos Parshas Balak, 5738)
 Notes: - (Back to text) Esther 2:22.
- (Back to text) For the priesthood was conveyed only to the descendants of Aharon, and royalty only to the descendants of David (Rambam, Mishneh Torah, Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:1).
- (Back to text) Sukkah 27b.
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Chapter Six - Mishna 5