Can a Baby Absorb Torah? Reb Shlomo Miller Explains

Chagiga 3a  Parshas Hashavua

טף למה באין, כדי ליתן שכר למביאיהן

The Gemoro asks why were  infants brought to the Mitzvah  

of Hakhel. The Gemoro answers, to reward the

 the ones who brought them. (the parents)

From this Gemoro it seems, there is no benefit for infants,

to be brought to the Bais Hamidrash just to listen to the  learning. 

Otherwise, the simple answer  should have been they came 

to listen so to have the Torah  absorbed in them.

How do we explain Chazal ( Yerushalmi Yevamos 8b) The mother of 

R. Yehoshua brought him in his crib  (infant) into the Bais Haknesess 

so his ears will be attached to Torah.

Mori V’rabi Harav Hagaon Reb Shlomo Miller Shlita said :

The Gemoro

holds, there is  no benefit for a child who doesn’t understand,

to listen to Torah learning.. Torah doesn’t get absorbed just by listening,

without understanding it.

That is the reason of the Gemoro  asks why bother bringing infants.

The Gemoro answers, Hashem rewards parents who believe it will benefit 

the child and therefore brings the child to the Bais Hamedrash,. 

The reward is they do benefit and become Talmidei Chachamim.

The Torah does gets absorbed in them.This is the reward שכר למביאיהן

Since the Segulah only works as a reward, for the effort to bring the child to listen and absorb Torah

If the child was brought to Shul  not for that purpose but for other reasons such as to give  the mother a break so she could have a rest etc,,  this child will not benefit listening to Torah being learnt.

in the Bais Hamedrash since he doesn't understand and the parents

will not be rewarded for bringing them.

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