The Torah of a wise man is a fountain of life,
Enabling one to avoid deadly snares.
Ten entities are considered truly “alive.” 1. The Holy Blessed One, as it says (Jeremiah 10:10), “The Eternal is truly God; He is a living God.” 2. The Torah is called a Living Torah, as it says (Proverbs 3:18), “It is a Tree of Life for those who hold fast to it, and all its supporters are happy.” 3. Israel are called Alive, as it says (Deuteronomy 4:41), “And you, who cling to the Eternal your God, you are all alive today.” 4. A righteous person [Tzaddik] is called Life, as it says (Proverbs 11:30), “The fruit of the righteous is the Tree of Life.” 5. The Garden of Eden is called Living, ([as it says (Psalms 116:9), “I will walk before the Eternal in the land of the living.” 6. One of the trees in the Garden was called the Tree of Life,]) as it says (Genesis 2:9), “and the Tree of Life in the midst of the Garden. 7. The Land of Israel is called the Land of the Living, as it says (Ezekiel 26:20), “I will place radiance in the land of the living.” 8. Acts of kindness [Gemilut Chessed] are called Life, as it says (Psalms 63:4), “For Your kindness is better than life; my lips will praise You.” 9. A wise person is called Life, as it says (Proverbs 13:14), “The Torah of the wise is the source of life.” 10. Water is called Living, as it says (Zechariah 14:8), “On that day, living waters will come forth from Jerusalem.”
1. G-d
2. The nation of Yisrael
3. Tzaddik
4. Wise person
5. The Land of Israel
6. Garden of Eden
7. Torah
8. Acts of Kindness (Gemilut Chessed)
9.Trees
10. Water
Reish Lakish said: With regard to anyone who teaches Torah to his friend's son, the verse ascribes him credit as though he created [i.e. he is the father of] that student, as it is stated: “And Abraham took Sarah his wife…and the souls that they made in Haran” (Genesis 12:5). Rabbi Elazar says: It is as though he created the words of Torah themselves, as it is stated: “Observe the words of this covenant, va’asitem otam” (Deuteronomy 29:8), indicating that teaching the Torah is like creating it. Rava says: It is as though he fashioned himself, as it is stated: “Va’asitem otam.” Do not read “va’asitem otam” [lit. "them"], rather, read it as va’asitem atem [lit. "yourself"].