Have you ever wondered why religious texts are called “spiritual food”? This isn’t just a beautiful metaphor. In Jewish tradition, there exists a profound understanding of how studying sacred texts literally “nourishes” our soul. Let’s dive into this amazing world where knowledge becomes not just information, but a genuine connection with divine wisdom.
How the Mind “Embraces” Wisdom
Imagine your mind as hands that can grasp and hold something. When you truly understand an idea, your mind essentially “embraces” it from all sides. This is exactly what happens when someone studies the Torah.
When you read and comprehend a law from the Torah, something remarkable occurs: your mind encompasses not just text, but divine wisdom itself. At this moment, a special connection forms between a person and the divine – a connection that has no analogues in the material world.
“Every intellect, in the process of consciousness and comprehension, grasps what is being learned and encompasses it”
The Double Embrace: A Unique Exchange
But most interestingly, this “embrace” works both ways! Not only does our mind encompass divine wisdom, but this wisdom itself envelops our mind. This two-way unity creates an astonishing effect – the person and divine knowledge temporarily become one whole.
Imagine not just reading a book, but becoming part of it, while it becomes part of you. This is precisely the merger that happens during deep study of sacred texts.
Why Studying Torah is More Important Than Other Commandments
Here lies one of the most important discoveries: studying Torah has an advantage over other religious actions. When a person performs an ordinary commandment (mitzvah), divine light surrounds their soul from the outside, like clothing envelops the body.
But when someone studies Torah with understanding and comprehension:
- Their mind is clothed in divine wisdom
- Simultaneously, this wisdom penetrates inside their mind
- A unique two-way unity is created
This can be compared to the difference between wearing beautiful clothing and eating nutritious food. Clothing remains outside, while food becomes part of you.
Torah as True Food for the Soul
In spiritual understanding, Torah truly works like food for our soul. When we eat ordinary food, it’s processed and becomes part of our body, giving it energy and life.
Similarly, when we deeply study Torah:
- Knowledge penetrates our soul
- It’s “digested” by our understanding
- It becomes an integral part of our spiritual being
- It nourishes us with divine life energy
“Then it becomes food for the soul and its inner life, emanating from the source of life Ein Sof, blessed be He”
Two Types of Spiritual “Clothing”
In the spiritual world, there’s an interesting division into two categories:
- Inner light (or pnimi) – what penetrates inside the soul, like food
- Surrounding light (or makif) – what envelops the soul from outside, like clothing
Amazingly, Torah is the only thing that can be both simultaneously! When we understand part of Torah, it becomes our inner food. And those aspects that we’re still unable to fully comprehend remain with us as protective surrounding attire.
The Power of the Spoken Word
Another striking discovery: when we not only study Torah mentally but also pronounce its words aloud, an additional strengthening of connection occurs. The breath and sound of our speech create an additional “shell” of surrounding light.
This explains why tradition values not just silent reading of sacred texts, but also speaking them aloud – this process significantly enhances the spiritual impact of the studied material.
How to Apply This Knowledge in Modern Life
Even if you don’t follow religious traditions, this concept contains wisdom applicable to any learning:
- Full immersion: true understanding requires complete mind engagement
- Two-way process: don’t just absorb information, but allow it to change you
- Vocalization: saying important ideas aloud enhances their impact
- Depth vs breadth: deep understanding of one concept is more valuable than superficial familiarity with many
Conclusion: Wisdom Becomes Part of Us
When we truly deeply study something, whether religious texts or scientific concepts, we aren’t just collecting information – we’re transforming our inner being. Knowledge truly becomes food for our mind and soul, changing us from within.
In our information-overloaded world, there’s a huge difference between superficial browsing of information and deep, transformative learning. Perhaps the ancient wisdom about “spiritual food” is more relevant today than ever before.
This article is based on the fifth chapter of “Likutei Amarim — Tanya” by Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, one of the greatest Hasidic thinkers and founder of the Chabad movement.
Afterword: This text has not been approved by any sage, Torah scholar, or rabbi and is merely a simplified adaptation of the sacred text for general understanding. For comprehension of true wisdom and a deeper understanding of the original text, you should refer to the sources.
