In Chapter 49 of Tiferet Yisrael, Maharal explores the profound idea that the Torah, like the natural world created by HaShem, is unchangeable and eternal. Just as the laws of nature, once established, cannot be altered, so too the Torah remains fixed, as it is the divine blueprint for the world. The Torah is not merely a set of instructions but the very framework through which the world operates. Any addition or subtraction to the Torah disrupts the fundamental order of existence, and this chapter reveals the depth and importance of preserving the integrity of the Torah.
Maharal begins by quoting from Psalms: “He gave them a decree that shall not be violated” (Psalms 148:6), referring to the unchanging nature of the physical world. Just as HaShem established the laws of nature, the same applies to the Torah. It is through the Torah that HaShem set the order of the world, and any attempt to change the Torah would be akin to altering the natural order itself.
An interesting teaching from the Talmud (Eruvin 13a) is brought forward to illustrate this point. Rabbi Meir recounts that when he was studying under Rabbi Akiva, he would add a substance called “kankantom” to the ink to ensure that the letters of the Torah were written properly and wouldn’t fade. Rabbi Yishmael, when learning of this practice, told him, "Be very careful with your work, for your work is heavenly. If you omit or add even one letter, it can destroy the entire world."
Maharal explains that this caution isn’t merely about a small mistake in writing but reflects the cosmic significance of every letter of the Torah. Just as the natural world would collapse if its fundamental principles were altered, so too would the world fall apart if the Torah is tampered with, even by a single letter. This is because the Torah is the spiritual structure that upholds reality. By adding or subtracting from the Torah, one is not just altering text but disrupting the divine order that sustains all of creation.
The Midrash further supports this idea with a story about the small letter yud. Rabbi Alexandri explains that even if the whole world were to gather and attempt to remove the letter yud from the Torah, they could not do so. The yud, though the smallest of the Hebrew letters, carries immense significance. The story goes on to say that when King Solomon wanted to remove a yud from the Torah, the yud protested before HaShem, declaring, "If you remove even a small part of me, it’s as if you nullify the entire Torah!" HaShem responded that the yud would remain forever, even outlasting Solomon himself. This teaches us that no letter in the Torah, no matter how small, can be erased or altered.
Maharal points out that King Solomon, despite his wisdom, mistakenly thought he could ignore a commandment of the Torah when he married many wives. The Torah warned that kings should not "multiply wives, lest his heart turn away" (Deuteronomy 17:17), but Solomon believed that he could handle the temptation and still remain faithful to HaShem. This was a miscalculation, not just of his personal strength but also of the unchangeable nature of the Torah itself. The letter yud in the word “multiply” (in reference to wives) is seen as protesting against Solomon’s actions because the Torah’s laws are fixed, and Solomon’s attempt to alter or overlook this directive led to his own downfall. His failure to recognize that the Torah cannot be bent to human will resulted in his removal from kingship.
The lesson from the yud of "multiply" is that the Torah’s wisdom extends far beyond human understanding. Even the wisest king, with all his insight, cannot alter the Torah without disastrous consequences. Maharal emphasizes that the Torah is not a set of arbitrary rules but is deeply connected to the fabric of existence. Therefore, any change to it is not just a violation of religious law but a disruption of the entire order of creation.
Another Midrash that Maharal brings forward illustrates this concept through the change of Sarai’s name to Sarah. The letter yud was removed from "Sarai" when her name was changed to "Sarah," but the yud did not simply disappear. According to the Midrash, the yud was later added to the name of Joshua, transforming him from "Hoshea" to "Yehoshua." This story highlights that nothing in the Torah is ever lost or insignificant. Every letter has a purpose, and even when changes seem to occur, they are part of a divine plan that ensures the eternal integrity of the Torah.
Maharal's deep exploration of these texts reminds us that the Torah, like the natural world, operates under divine laws that cannot be altered by human intervention. Just as gravity cannot be switched off or the sun halted in its course, the Torah remains fixed and unchangeable. The world depends on the Torah, and tampering with its structure threatens the very existence of creation.
Chapter 49 of Tiferet Yisrael teaches us that the Torah is more than a set of rules—it is the divine blueprint for the entire universe. Each letter, each command, is essential to maintaining the balance and order of the world. Any attempt to change or ignore the Torah leads to chaos, as seen in the stories of King Solomon and the letter yud. Our responsibility is to uphold the Torah with the utmost care, understanding that in doing so, we are preserving the very fabric of creation.
This blog is in the zechut of Eliana Yael Yocheved bat Sarah may HaShem help her attain all her hearts desires speedily, complete emuna, easy parnassa tova and success in all her endeavors!
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