Timeless Torah

Undoubtedly, one of the more recognizable paragraphs in this week's Torah reading is the section that forms the second part of our daily Shema prayer. “V'hoyoh eem shomoia - It will be if you listen to My commandments…” is the way it begins, followed by a list of do's. Do serve Him, love Him, put on Tefillin, teach your children Torah, affix a mezuzah - you get the idea.
What comes next, “Kee eem shomoir tishm'run - If you will surely observe…” is of interest to the Yalkut, a comprehensive Midrashic anthology compiled by Rabbi Shimon Hadarshan of Frankfort who lived in the 13th Century. The repetition of the Hebrew verb “Shomoir” translated here as, “surely observe” led our medieval scholar to remark, “Lest you respond that we have elders, scholars and prophets who can fulfill our obligations for the rest of us, be informed that Mitzvos are everyone's responsibility.”
This Midrash highlights our contemporary age of specialization. At one point in history, scientists like Issac Newton specialized in biology, chemistry and physics. Today however with such diverse disciplines of study as in biochemistry, organic chemistry, medical chemistry and countless others, classifying Newton would be an impossible chore. In addition, what is true in the natural sciences is equally valid in all professions, whether it is in medicine or engineering.
This trend has even caught up with Judaism. A recent article in a Jewish periodical applauded the efforts of several progressive Temples throughout the country to reintroduce traditional customs. One temple was proud of its three daily services to accommodate mourners; another redirected the cantor to face the Ark; a third insisted that men coming up to the Torah wear tallit and a kippah; a fourth boasted of its kosher kitchen, etc. Put them all together and you have one fine orthodox synagogue.
Similarly, if living religiously would only be subject to departmentalization, the Jewish people would be above reproach. Our wealthy support charitable institutions; our poor flock to hear the Rabbis' comforting sermons, our retired volunteer their time, our women's groups visit the ill, our clergy faithfully observe the rituals and our young practice their Torah reading.
This is what the Yalkut meant. “Our elders will do their specific mitzvoh so that they can neglect the other 612 commandments, our scholars will contribute their skills so that no one else need to.....” That this is the intention of the Midrash is all too clear from its concluding thought, “The Bible states, ‘The Torah is the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob,’ rather than saying, ‘The inheritance of the Kohan, the Levite and the Israelite.’”
So while the age of specialization may be beneficial in certain fields, in religion it has no place. Of course, it is only natural that some people will excel in one area and place more emphasis there. That's the way it should be. The mind thinks, the heart feels, the hand does. The Jewish people require its thinkers, its poets and its doers. But just as all the limbs cannot neglect the welfare of the entire body, so too each Jew cannot walk away from any part of the Torah.