Torah Received as Gift

במדרש לקחת מתנות בלקיחה במתנה כו'.

In the Midrash: “You took gifts—through taking, as a gift,” etc.

The Sefat Emet begins by citing the Midrash, which teaches that the receiving of Torah is described both as an act of taking and simultaneously as receiving it as a gift.

אא"ז מו"ר ז"ל פי' עמ"ש יגעתי ומצאתי.

My grandfather and teacher of blessed memory explained the saying: “I toiled and I found.”

He references the classical teaching that success in Torah is phrased not as “I toiled and acquired,” but “I toiled and found,” indicating something gained beyond proportional effort.

פי' כי א"א לזכות ע"י היגיעה רק בדרך מציאה.

He explained that one cannot truly attain (Torah) solely through toil, but only in the manner of finding.

Human effort alone is insufficient; true attainment is ultimately a gift, arriving unexpectedly like a “find.”

פי' כשהקב"ה רואה יגיעת האדם לש"ש.

Meaning: when the Holy One sees a person’s toil for the sake of Heaven—

God evaluates the sincerity and purity of a person’s effort, not the outcome.

נותן לו במתנה כו' ודפח"ח.

He gives it to him as a gift, etc., and this is sufficient for the wise.

The ultimate attainment of Torah is bestowed freely by God, beyond what one’s efforts could produce.

וכן י"ל כאן כי בוודאי האדם מצדו צריך ליתן את כל נפשו ומאודו בעבור התורה.

So too here: certainly, a person must give all his soul and all his strength for the sake of Torah.

The Sefat Emet emphasizes uncompromising dedication; total willingness is required.

ומ"מ א"צ לתת מעות כי העיקר הרצון.

Nevertheless, he need not give money, for the essence is the will.

Material cost is irrelevant; what God desires is inner yearning and commitment.

ומי שיש לו זה הרצון באמת אדרבא נותנת לו התורה חיים בעוה"ז ובעוה"ב:

And one who truly possesses this will—on the contrary, the Torah gives him life in this world and in the World to Come.

Authentic desire unlocks Torah’s transformative power, granting vitality both spiritually and materially, now and eternally.

Summary: The Sefat Emet teaches that Torah is acquired not by effort alone but as a divine gift granted in response to sincere striving. The essential factor is wholehearted desire, which brings life in this world and the next.