Q&A: The Validity of Stories
The Validity of Stories
Question
Hello Rabbi,
From what I understand, the Rabbi argues that there is nothing to learn from the stories in the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), because they do not lead to any practical validity. That is, even if a person learns something from a story that does not fit his values, he will not change himself accordingly based on what he learned (as opposed to Jewish law, where a person is obligated to arrive at some practical action that may conflict with his values). From this the Rabbi concludes that there is no value in the stories in the Hebrew Bible, or at least no value that we can learn.
But why not say that although stories will not change a person’s outlook in a practical way, they can still change a person’s thoughts. One could say that stories can influence a person—not on as high a level as Jewish law, but still to a certain extent.
From this one could also say that there is some point specifically in studying the Torah itself and not just any story. Every story has its own effects on a person, and not every story teaches just anything. One may assume that God gave us certain stories that would influence people’s thoughts in order to lead us to a better place.
What does the Rabbi think?
Answer
That can be said. But in any case, that is not study but influence. If you assume that, then of course you are expected to engage in the Hebrew Bible, but don’t recite the blessing over Torah study beforehand.
Discussion on Answer
Because that is not study (but at most inspiration). The topic is discussed here and in the second book of the trilogy.
But we also recite the blessing over Torah study for the recitation of Shema, and that isn’t study? Is being called up to the Torah study?
Why isn’t it study? Scripture is study, yes (although I don’t understand why that matters). You are learning the verses, which are from the mouth of the Almighty. This is study of the text itself (not necessarily the ideas), which is Torah as an object in itself. Even if you already know them, that is review, which is also study. This is unlike aggadic literature, from which one learns nothing, because the text has no holiness and the content contains no learning. By the way, with being called up to the Torah, that is probably a different matter.
Sorry, I missed that… why not recite the blessing over Torah study?