How Is Torah Learning Seen as Benefiting Every Jew—Even Those Far from Observance?
In the worldview of Chazal, Torah learning is not a private act. It doesn’t just benefit the one who learns—it uplifts, protects, and draws blessing to the entire Klal Yisrael, even those who may not yet live according to Torah.
Even a Jew who has never opened a Chumash, never lit Shabbos candles, or never stepped foot in a beis medrash—still gains from the Torah learning of others.
“Tzaddik Yesod Olam” – The Foundation Holds Up Everyone
Shlomo HaMelech writes:
"וְצַדִּיק, יְסוֹד עוֹלָם" “The righteous one is the foundation of the world.” (Mishlei 10:25)
The Vilna Gaon explains: just as the foundation of a building holds up every floor—even those who never see it—so too, the Torah of the tzaddik sustains the world, including those unaware of it¹.
The Ramchal writes that when a tzaddik learns Torah, “he draws blessing into the world—not for himself, but for all mankind”².
Torah as National Wealth
The Gemara in Kiddushin (40b) teaches:
“One who causes others to do good is credited as if he did it himself.”
When someone learns Torah, he inspires others—even unknowingly. The Sfas Emes explains that the words of Torah enter the “spiritual bloodstream” of Klal Yisrael.³
Even secular Jews benefit:
- Their mazal improves
- Their souls are stirred
- Their children may be drawn closer to Torah
The Nefesh HaChaim writes:
“Every word of Torah creates a light above that influences the entire world.”⁴
The Field Analogy of Rav Chaim Volozhin
Rav Chaim Volozhin gives a vivid mashal:
Imagine a nation where only a few plant fields. The whole nation eats from that grain—even those who never lifted a shovel. So too, Torah learners are the farmers of Klal Yisrael. They produce spiritual sustenance for all.⁵
This isn’t idealism—it’s reality.
Who Pays the Bill?
The Midrash (Vayikra Rabbah 2:1) says that Hashem looked into the Torah and created the world. Torah is the blueprint—the cosmic engine.
Who pays the “electric bill” to keep the world running?
Torah learners.
But who receives the benefit? Every Jew. As the Chofetz Chaim wrote:
“Torah is like a great furnace. Some feed the fire, others feel the warmth. But without the fire, all freeze.”⁶
Rav Aharon Leib Shteinman zt”l – “Even One Pasuk”
Rav Aharon Leib was once asked why he invested so much in yeshivos for baalei teshuvah and weaker students.
He answered:
“One pasuk they learn today may save their entire family. Torah doesn’t need to be perfect to bring light. Even a crack of light can illuminate a home.”⁷
Rebbe Yisroel of Ruzhin – A Candle in the Window
The holy Ruzhiner Rebbe once said:
“When a Jew learns Torah, it’s like putting a candle in the window. Maybe the person across the street doesn’t come inside—but the light still reaches him.”⁸
A single beis medrash can illuminate a town.
Torah Learning Awakens Dormant Neshamas
The Baal HaTanya writes that the spiritual light created by Torah learning reaches even the souls of those far from observance, helping awaken them.⁹
That’s why many outreach organizations focus on bringing Torah learning to the public. It's not just what people learn—but what Torah itself does to them.
Rav Moshe Feinstein zt”l – “I Have Them In Mind”
Rav Moshe once told a visitor:
“When I learn, I have in mind every Jew—even those who would never enter a beis medrash. The Torah I learn includes them.”¹⁰
That’s not metaphor. It’s mesorah.
A Story: The Rosh Yeshiva and the Biker
Rav Tzvi Kushelevsky shlita, the Rosh Yeshiva of Heichal HaTorah in Yerushalayim, once had an unexpected guest. A man walked into his office, long-haired, leather jacket, with tattoos peeking out from his sleeves.
“I’m here to say thank you.”
The Rosh Yeshiva blinked.
The man explained:
“Twenty years ago, I was completely secular. I passed by your yeshiva every day on my motorcycle. I saw boys inside learning, davening. I didn’t understand it. But I felt it. One day, I stopped, walked in, and someone offered me a seat and a sefer. Today, I live in Elad. My children learn in cheder. And it started… with a yeshiva that wasn’t learning for itself—but for Klal Yisrael.”
Conclusion: Torah for Every Neshama
In the Charedi view, Torah is not just for those who keep it. It is the spiritual oxygen of every Jewish soul.
We don’t learn Torah for pride or prestige.
We learn because:
- Every Jew needs it.
- Every Jew is uplifted by it.
- And because Hashem commands us to carry the light for the entire nation.
Even if they don’t yet know it, we are learning for them.
Footnotes & Sources
- Vilna Gaon, commentary to Mishlei 10:25
- Ramchal, Mesilas Yesharim, Ch. 19
- Sfas Emes, Parshas Lech Lecha, 5643
- Nefesh HaChaim, Shaar 4, Ch. 11
- Rav Chaim Volozhin, Ruach Chaim, Avos 1:1
- Chofetz Chaim, Sheim Olam, Shaar HaZechirah
- Orchos Aharon, testimony from Rav Nosson Zochovsky
- Oral tradition of Ruzhiner Chassidim; printed in Zer Zahav
- Baal HaTanya, Tanya, Chapter 37
- Rav Moshe Feinstein, Igros Moshe, Yoreh De’ah 4:36
- Story heard from Rav Dovid Refson, Jerusalem, 2007