R. Naftali Tzvi Yehuda Berlin (known by his acronym, the Netziv) led the famed Volozhin yeshiva for almost forty years. He authored numerous works, including Ha’amek Davar, Ha’amek She’eilah, Meromei Sadeh, and a collection of halachic responsa titled Meishiv Davar.
Study a thought from the Netziv: Justice or Peace
On the outside, Torah is water. On the inside, it is fire.
The text, the instructions, the practical side of Torah--that is water.
People come to water. When they are thirsty, they gather around.
But what if you have no thirst for Torah? What if you find the water cold? What if dos and don’ts don’t excite you?
Then you must enter within, to the hidden meanings, to the mysteries of Torah. To its fire.
But what if you fear fire? What if you fear the unknown, the spiritual, the transcendental?
Then, you must know: This fire does not burn. It ignites the soul. It is life itself. In truth, it is your fire.
Enter within. Do not be afraid. “G-d, your G-d is a consuming fire.”