Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi was onto something that many of us could take a page from—literally. When the night fell and the world grew quiet, he didn’t rely on mere superstitions or good luck charms; he turned to the ultimate source of power: the Torah. According to the Talmud in Shevuot 15b:11, before he drifted off to sleep, he would recite specific verses from the Torah to safeguard himself from any lurking evil spirits. Think of it as the OG life hack, a spiritual security system for the soul.
But here’s where it gets interesting: while using the Torah for protection was completely kosher, using it as a means to heal physical ailments was considered a step too far. Why? It’s like the difference between having faith in the Divine wisdom contained within the Torah and treating it as a magic potion. The Torah isn’t a remedy you grab off the shelf when you’ve got a headache; it’s the bedrock of spiritual strength, a guide for living a life aligned with HaShem’s will.
Imagine it this way: carrying a Torah verse in your heart for protection is like keeping a family heirloom close—it’s filled with meaning and connection. But thinking that same heirloom could fix your broken car would be missing the point entirely. Rabbi Yehoshua ben Levi’s nightly practice wasn’t about invoking a quick fix; it was about aligning himself with the spiritual truths that transcend the physical world.
So next time you’re winding down for the night, remember that those ancient verses hold more than just words—they’re a link to a tradition that values the power of the spirit over the body. It’s a reminder that while the Torah can protect, guide, and inspire, it’s not meant to be used as a shortcut for physical healing. Instead, it’s the ultimate resource for fortifying your soul, keeping you grounded, and connecting you to something far greater than any worldly concern.
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