D'var Torah: "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel, stretching out like rivers" (Bamidbar 24:5). The Talmud reveals the commonality between "tents" and "rivers": Just as rivers bring a person up from a state of impurity to a state of purity, so too, Torah study elevates a person from a state of accountability to a state of merit. "Rivers" alludes to ritual immersion, and "Tents" refers to the Beit Midrash, the Tent of Torah study. Let's understand how Torah transforms a person's spiritual standing. When we study Torah, the holiness of the Torah inspires us to be good. We actively improve our character as well as our deeds. As a result of our positive transformation, HaShem compassionately converts our previous sins into merits!
Moral: The holiness of Torah uplifts its students to new dimensions of goodness, and transforms our negative deeds into positive actions.
Application: Reflect on the verse, "How goodly are your tents, O Jacob, your dwelling places O Israel, stretching out like rivers." Envision yourself immersing in a river and experiencing spiritual purification. When you study the Torah, sense its holiness filling your soul. Improve your character traits and deeds. Rejoice in knowing that HaShem converts your sins to Mitzvot!
(Based on Brachot 16 and the commentary of Ben Ish Hai)
