How to Celebrate Moses’ Birthday

What is the theme of Moses’ life—and of his birthday, the seventh of Adar? Moses is Torah. The entire Torah from beginning to end, even the new Torah insights revealed in subsequent generations, derive from what Moses received at Sinai. So the main thrust and initiative of this day is growth in Torah.

There is only one way to grow in Torah: great toil. The Talmud states, “If someone claims he has achieved without toil, do not believe him.” But simply comprehending what one sets out to understand is not enough. To truly achieve in Torah, one must merit to “discover” new depths within it. When one studies properly, he merits for G‑d to reveal insights to him that are far beyond his own reach.

Even for someone whose propensity is to be a supporter of Torah rather than a full-time scholar, the power of Moses’ birthday demands, empowers and enables every individual to succeed in Torah and merit to find its most profound revelations.