Forty-eight Channels: You Can Do It

Kings have advantages and so do Kohanim. So why must Torah learners forfeit all that seems to be good in life? Is it all sacrifice or does the tradeoff give higher returns?

Chapter Six of Pirkei Avos known as Kinyan Torah is a fitting preparation for Shavuos the day when we renew our covenant with the Torah and demonstrate our commitment by studying through the night. It’s worthwhile to review the chapter carefully before Shavuos as it describes the essence of the Torah what makes it different from other kinds of wisdom and knowledge and particularly the characteristics of a person who can be said to “know the Torah ” who is worthy of being called a talmid chacham.

Let us analyze just one mishnah. In abundant detail it counsels us on what we need to do if we aspire to the crown of Torah. (With thanks to Rav Meir Lehman’s commentary on Avos Meir Nativ.)

The mishnah says “Torah is greater than priesthood or kingship. For kingship is acquired through thirty advantages and priesthood through twenty-four but Torah is acquired through forty-eight things…”