How sorrowful we must be over our current exile, which severed the Jew's connection to nature, denying him the seclusion he enjoyed with the Divine Presence, a relationship only to be found in the bossom of G-d's handiwork. The impurities which crowned and enveloped Israel, destroyed their delicacy of spirit. How much profundity and knowledge of G-d we lost as a result!
(From Or HaRa'ayon - English translation - chapter 1)
Our sages said (Yoma 72b): "What is meant by 'Why does the fool possess the wealth to acquire wisdom, seeing he has no understanding' (Prov. 17:16)? Woe to the enemies of Torah scholars, for they study Torah but possess no fear of G-d."
The message is clear. Does G-d desire mere wisdom and brilliance in Torah? Does he need vain argumentation and polished, sophisticated explanations? Is not all wisdom His? Just as He has no need of candle light, so has He no need of the Torah scholar's wisdom. As our sages said (Shemot Rabbah 36:2), "It is not that I need you. Rather, shower light upon Me the way I showered light upon you." In just the same way, G-d does not need the Torah, yet He gave it to mortal men for their own good so they would subdue their egos and cling to Him. Hence if their is no fear of G-d, the Torah becomes mere wisdom, and better that man should not study it.
(From Or HaRa'ayon - English translation - chapter 2)
