Prerequisite to Torah Study

It was taught in the school of Elijah the prophet: “Anyone who studies Jewish law every day is assured a place in the World to Come, as the verse says ‘halichos olam lo’ – the ways of the world are his;’ do not read it ‘halichos – ways of the world,’ but rather ‘halachos – Jewish law.’” – Making Jewish law your own makes the Next World yours as well.

When the Talmud restates the wording of a verse, it does not negate the original meaning. It is possible for someone to “study Jewish law every day,” yet have no contact with “the ways of the world” – he does not influence or improve the world around him. The Talmud, however, teaches: “If someone declares he has no interest other than Torah, even Torah he does not have.” Therefore, halachos – Torah study, must be preceded by halichos – involvement in one’s ultimate purpose: to turn this world into the sort of place G-d intended it to be.