One answer lies in our Parshah, Parshas Re’eh. Our Parshah discusses the laws pertaining to an entire Jewish city that serves Idols (Ir Hanidachas). The Gemara states that the exact circumstances to become an Ir Hanidachas are so complex, that it never actually happened in history and never will (Sanhedrin).

If such a city never existed in the past, and the Gemara states that it never will exist in the future, why in the world does the Torah write about it?

The Gemara explains that Hashem wrote it in the Torah so that we will learn it and receive reward for doing so.

This doesn’t seem to answer the question. There are already 612 commandments in the Torah to study and receive reward for. Why would Hashem add one more that will never happen, as the Gemara itself attests? 

We can answer this question by first examining the following Midrash:

When Moshe went to Heaven to receive the Torah, the angels did all that they could to stop him. “How can you let mere humans have Your Torah?” they argued to Hashem. “Are they pure enough to possess the most precious treasure that You have created?”. Hashem turned to Moshe and asked him “what is your counter-argument?”. Moshe Rabbeinu turned to the angels and argued back that it is impossible for angels to fulfill the Torah, as there are commandments to honor one’s parents, not to kill, etc. All these laws are only relevant to human beings, not angels. Ultimately, Hashem agreed with Moshe and gave us the Torah.

What in the world was the angels’ argument? Didn’t these intelligent angels realize that the commandments in the Torah couldn’t possibly be carried out by them? How can we come to comprehend even the most basic meaning of this Midrash?

The Toras Chaim explains that, unbeknownst to many, there are actually two aspects and benefits of learning Torah:

1. In order to do the mitzvos (Mavi liyiday Maaseh).
2. In order to gain an intimate relationship with Hashem.

The Toras Chaim continues to explain that of course the angels knew that they couldn’t actually fulfill the mitzvos in the Torah, which is the first purpose of learning Torah. However, they desperately wanted the Torah so that they could accomplish the second purpose of learning Torah: to study the logic of Hashem and to gain the intimate relationship to Him that only Torah study can afford and accomplish. They understood that Torah study does not only enable one to fulfill the mitzvos; Rather, it also forges an indescribable connection to our Creator, which is of equal significance. They argued that as holy angels, they could accomplish the second objective of Torah study better than mankind. Moshe’s counter argument was that although the angels may be able to connect with Hashem better, only man can accomplish BOTH aspects of Torah study. Therefore, Moshe argued, mankind are worthier of possessing the Torah. Although both arguments have strong validity, Hashem in His wisdom decided to agree with Moshe and awarded us the Torah.

Living Inspired

The Toras Chaim explains that the fact that Hashem chose to eternally inscribe the mitzvah of Ir Hanidachas in the Torah, despite the fact that it will never be performed, is meant to teach us and bring into focus this incredible lesson; namely, that although performing mitzvos is the fundamental first step to serving Hashem, it is also crucial to understand that the study of Torah affords the strongest connection to Hashem possible; a connection that even the angels are jealous of! This is one of the reasons why we learn Gemara which often discusses hypothetical cases and opinions that we do not actually rule according to.

May we all use the Torah to become closer to Hashem than anything in existence and, through doing so, may we achieve a connection to Hashem that exceeds even the angel’s wildest dreams.