2021/5781
Adapted from Growth Through Torah by Zelig Pliskin
When describing the arrangement of Bnei Yisrael’s camp, the Torah introduces Shevet Zevulun as “Mateh Zevulun,” “The tribe of Zevulun” (BeMidbar 2:7).
The Ba’al HaTurim teaches that in regards to certain tribes that are notably together in the Torah, the Torah adds the letter “Vav” to teach that they are separate Shevatim but still unified. He notes that specifically by Zevulun, there is no “Vav” attached to the name. This is because the tribe of Yissachar, which is mentioned right before Zevulun, devoted themselves to Torah study day and night, while Zevulun supported them financially. Because Zevulun enables Yissachar to learn Torah, their tribes are counted as one, and Zevulun shares in Yissachar’s reward for their Torah study.
Says Rav Chaim Shmulevitz in Sichos Mussar, that just as someone who supports another financially, enabling that person to toil in Torah, shares in the reward, so too anyone who encourages another to learn Torah receives a share in the reward of that person. Every Yeshiva student, therefore, has many opportunities to be a positive influence on others.
Influencing others to learn Torah doesn’t necessarily require going around convincing your friends to give learning a try. One can lead by example by frequently studying diligently. Others will see the sheer Simchah that the diligent student gains from learning Torah and in effect will increase their own Torah study. In serving as a role model Ben Torah to his classmates, the diligent student will share in the merits of the Torah learning that he inspired in his peers.
Parents who influence and encourage their children to learn will so too share in the merits of the Torah that is learned. Additionally, wives who allow their husbands to study will share in their merits. In any case, in order for Torah to be learned, some will inevitably have to sacrifice, but in the end, all who do are destined to rejoice in their well deserved merits.