Pesachim 49b § 2
Causing Pain to a Beginner
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Passage Content
Anyone who engages in Torah study
in the presence of an ignoramus,
causing the ignoramus embarrassment and
anguish over his inability to study Torah,
is considered as though he had sexual relations
with the ignoramus’s betrothed bride in his presence,
Moses commanded us the Torah,
an inheritance for the congregation of Jacob
Do not read it as inheritance [morasha];
rather, read it as betrothed [me’orasa].
The Torah is compared to the betrothed bride
of the Jewish people until one studies it
and thereby consummates his marriage with it.
in the presence of an ignoramus,
causing the ignoramus embarrassment and
anguish over his inability to study Torah,
is considered as though he had sexual relations
with the ignoramus’s betrothed bride in his presence,
Moses commanded us the Torah,
an inheritance for the congregation of Jacob
Do not read it as inheritance [morasha];
rather, read it as betrothed [me’orasa].
The Torah is compared to the betrothed bride
of the Jewish people until one studies it
and thereby consummates his marriage with it.