The Mitzvah Shiur #613 The Mitzvah To Write A Sefer Torah

(1) For everyone to write a Torah scroll for himself: That we were commanded that each man in Israel must have a Torah scroll (Sefer HaMitzvot LaRambam, Mitzvot Ase 18). If he wrote it with his [own] hand, this is praiseworthy and very dear; and as they, may their memory be blessed, said (Menachot 30a), "If he wrote it" - meaning to say, with his hand - "Scripture attributes [it] to him as if he received it from Mount Sinai." But one who is unable to write with his hand must pay someone to write it for him. And about this it is stated (Deuteronomy 31:19), "And now, write for yourselves this poem and teach it to the Children of Israel" - meaning to say, write for yourselves Torah, which contains this poem.

Rava says: With regard to the mitzva for every Jew to write himself a Torah scroll, even if a person’s ancestors left him a Torah scroll, it is a mitzva to write a scroll of one’s own, as it is stated: “Now, therefore, write for yourselves this song and teach it to the children of Israel” (Deuteronomy 31:19).

(2) It is from the roots of the commandment [that it is that] since it is well-known about people that they do all of their things according to what is prepared for them, therefore He, blessed be He, commanded that there be a Torah scroll prepared with him, that he can always read from it and that he not need to walk for it to the house of his fellow; 'so that he will learn to fear the Lord,' and know and understand His commandments that are more precious and desirable than much gold and fine gold. And we were commanded - each and every one of Israel - to make efforts about this, even if his fathers left him one. [This is] so that scrolls proliferate among us and we can lend them out to the one whose hand not be able to purchase it; and also in order that each and every one of Israel read from new scrolls, lest their souls be sick of reading in the old scrolls that their fathers left them.

(3) And know, my son, that even though the main obligation from Torah writ is only about a Torah scroll, there is no doubt that each one should also make [copies] of the other books that were composed about the understanding of the Torah - according to [his] ability - from the reasons that we said; and even if his fathers left him many of them. And this is the way of all God-fearing men of stature who were before us, to establish a study hall in their house, for scribes to write many books, according to the blessing of God that He gave to them.

The 18th mitzvah is that every Jewish male should have his own Sefer Torah. It is highly commendable and preferable that he write it himself, as our Sages said, "If he himself writes it, it is as if he personally received it at Mount Sinai." If it is impossible for him to write it himself, he is at least required to buy one or to appoint someone to write it for him.

The source of this commandment is G‑d's statement, "Write for yourselves this song." One may not write individual sections of the Torah [and therefore not write merely the song of Ha'azinu, which follows this verse]. Therefore, the commandment to write the "song" means the entire Torah, including this song.

In the tractate Sanhedrin, it is related: "Rava said, Even though a person's forefathers left him a Sefer Torah, it is still a mitzvah for him to write one for himself, as the verse says, 'And now write for yourselves this song.'

(7) And it is practiced at all times and in every place by males, as they obligated in Torah study - and so too, to write it - but not females. And one who transgresses this and does not write a Torah scroll, if it is possible for him in any way, has violated this positive commandment. And his punishment is very great, as it is the cause of the study of the commandments of the Torah, as we have said. And anyone who fulfills it will be blessed and wise - he and his sons - as it is is written, "And now, write for yourselves this poem and teach it to the Children of Israel."