What Every Jewish Community Needs

The Talmud states: The verse, “His righteousness endures forever,” refers to “One who writes Torah books and lends them to others.” It endures forever because the borrower learns from it and then returns it, and then someone else borrows it, creating a never-ending cycle. It is imperative that in every Jewish community a library be established – a place where books of Torah can be found — simple books for those with a basic knowledge of Judaism, as well as deeper ones for those at an advanced level of Torah study.

The Talmud requires that before a Jew moves to a city, he must ascertain that a doctor and other skilled professionals reside there. In similar spirit, in every city a library should be established, a place where all are welcome to browse Jewish books. This perusal will lead to study, which will lead to action – an increase in Jewish observance.

This initiative will hasten, and bring into reality, the Redemption, as Maimonides rules: “In that era, knowledge, wisdom and truth will proliferate, as the verse states: ‘And the knowledge of G-d will fill the earth like water covers the sea.’”