My child, do not forget My Torah, and let your heart guard My commandments, for they add to you length of days and years of life and peace.
(Proverbs 3:1,2)
A person is obligated to study Torah at all times (Joshua 1:8 You should contemplate it day and night.) Therefore, with reference to Torah study, the verse stipulates do not forget at any time. Most commandments, however, can be performed only at specific times; therefore, the verse states; let your heart guard them until the time arrives to perform them. My commandments is in the plural, because if refers to all 613 commandments.
For they add to you length of days and years of life and peace. My Torah and My commandments will add these to you for they will defend you and mention your merits.
Length of days and years of life and peace are rewards that correspond to the items mentioned in the verse; Torah and commandments, all 613 commandments. Length of days is the reward for heeding positive commandments as G-d states; Which man shall carry out and by which he shall live (Leviticus 18:5). Years of life results form heeding the negative commandments. Scrupulous behavior regarding the negative commandments or repentance for misdeeds changes the quality of one’s life from bad to good, for the prosecuting angels now turn into his friends. Peace is a result of Torah study, as verse 17 states: and all its byways are peace. Just as Torah study is equivalent to all the mitvots, learning Torah brings one to the performance of mitzvots, so to, its reward peace includes all other blessings.
There are four types of people who study the Scriptures:
1. One who engages only in its simple, superficial meaning.
2. One who studies the plain meaning, but on a deeper level and with broader scope.
3. One who is completely engrossed, engaging their mind and raising their voice night and day in the study of Torah.
4. One who probes the depths of Torah and enters into its hidden inner meanings.
