He taught the following: If somebody studies Torah in order to teach others but, in terms of his charitable works, is not focused on that, he is given the ability not only to learn Torah but also to teach Torah. If somebody devotes himself to studying Torah on a high level and wants to give back and teach Torah as well, he is going to be blessed by the Shamayim (the heavens). Of course, he’ll have the ability to study on a high level and also to give in terms of teaching others, in order to learn himself and to teach others. But when he wants to contribute to others through good deeds and acts of kindness, he is given the means by the heavens to study and teach Torah, observe all the laws that should be observed, and do kindness for others as well. Of course, we’re assuming that the first man also has the ability to do the halachot and do the laws that he wanted to. Here we’re saying the second type of individual is granted the ability by the heavens to make time for all of this, even though you only have 24 hours in a day. This individual is not going to be able to do all of this; his time is extended. He figures out a way to fit everything in.
Says Rabbi Tzadok, “Don’t make the words of Torah a crown for a person to find glory in them.” That means a person shouldn’t study Torah in order to gain honor, so people call him Rabbi and give him a seat of prominence at the head of the table. He should be studying because he loves Hashem, because he wants to get to know Hashem’s Torah. If you’re studying for another reason, if you’re studying Torah in order to be honored, a person is going to be honored, turning the Torah into a keli, a utensil, for him to receive honor. So it’s below the way we should be treating the Torah. We’re also not supposed to turn the Torah into a shovel to dig with, which means you’re not supposed to turn the Torah into a livelihood, becoming a person who’s making a career out of it. In other words, he’s going into study because he wants to turn it into a way to make money, a way to make parnasa (a livelihood). That cheapens the Torah to a career, even though the Torah is not merely a way to make money. A person has to study Torah Lishma (for its own sake), and if anything comes out of him in terms of a position, honor, or a livelihood, that’s something that could develop on its own. But a person shouldn’t go into it expecting and anticipating that’s what he wants out of it. That takes the genuine love of Torah out of it. So a person has to really focus on doing things L’shem Shamayim (for the sake of Heaven).
Vechach haya Hillel omer (And thus Hillel used to say), v’de’ishtamesh b’taga chalaf. Hillel used to say that somebody who uses the crown of Torah for his own gain is going to, lo aleinu (God forbid), pass away. He’s not using the Torah properly, so he’s going to be punished from L’shem Shamayim.
So, we learn from here: Kol haneheneh midivrei Torah notel chayav min ha’olam. Anybody who takes personal benefit from the words of Torah is removed from the world. If a Talmid Chacham (Torah scholar) uses his influence or his status in an improper way as a tool for himself, he is manipulating the Torah. He’s using the Torah as a tool, but the Torah is the goal itself. So Hashem is going to punish that type of individual.