Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does Deuteronomy 17:18 mean when it says the king must write a copy of the Torah?
A: This verse commands that every Jewish king must write his own personal copy of the Torah (called a 'Sefer Torah') under the supervision of the Levitical priests. According to Rashi, this wasn't just a ceremonial act - the king had to actually write it himself (or at least oversee its writing) to internalize its teachings. The Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 3:1) explains this was to ensure the king would study Torah regularly and follow its laws.
Q: Why was the king specifically commanded to write a Torah scroll?
A: The Talmud (Sanhedrin 21b) teaches that writing a Torah scroll served two purposes for the king: 1) So he would always have a Torah with him to study and consult, preventing him from becoming arrogant, and 2) To symbolize that even the king is subject to Torah law. The Midrash (Sifrei Devarim) adds that this mitzvah helped the king remember that his authority comes from Hashem, not from his own power.
Q: Does this commandment about writing a Torah apply today?
A: While we don't have Jewish kings today, the Rambam (Hilchot Melachim 3:1) rules that this mitzvah teaches an eternal principle about Torah study. Many poskim (halachic authorities) derive from this that every Jew should ideally write or acquire a Sefer Torah. Today, since most people can't write a proper Torah scroll, supporting Torah scholars or buying Jewish books is considered a fulfillment of this ideal (Shulchan Aruch Yoreh De'ah 270).
Q: Why did the Torah have to come 'from before the priests the Levites'?
A: Rashi explains that the king couldn't just copy any Torah scroll - it had to be made from an authentic, carefully preserved master copy maintained by the Levites in the Temple. This ensured accuracy and connected the king's Torah to the chain of tradition dating back to Moshe. The Kli Yakar adds that this requirement prevented any alterations to the text and maintained unity among the Jewish people.
Q: What practical lesson can we learn from this verse today?
A: The Sefer HaChinuch (mitzvah 497) teaches that this commandment shows how Torah study must be personal and accessible. Just as the king needed his own copy to constantly review, we learn that every Jew should have Torah books readily available for regular study. The verse also teaches humility - if even a king must submit to Torah law, certainly we must make Torah the guiding force in our lives.
The King's Obligation to Write a Sefer Torah
The verse (Devarim 17:18) commands that when a Jewish king ascends to the throne, he must write a copy of the Torah for himself under the supervision of the Kohanim and Levi'im. This mitzvah is unique to the king and carries profound significance in Jewish thought.
Rashi's Explanation
Rashi explains that the king writes "mishneh haTorah" (a copy of the Torah) to emphasize that he must write two Sifrei Torah - one that remains with him at all times (carried in his arm when going to war or traveling), and another that remains in his treasury. This dual requirement underscores the Torah's centrality in guiding the monarch's conduct.
Rambam's Halachic Perspective
In Hilchot Melachim (3:1), the Rambam elaborates that this mitzvah applies specifically to a king, not to ordinary Jews. The king's Sefer Torah must be written "from before the Kohanim and Levi'im" - meaning from an accurate, authoritative source text maintained by the priestly tribe, ensuring textual integrity.
Symbolic Meaning
Midrashic Insight
The Sifrei notes that this commandment comes immediately after prohibitions against accumulating horses, wives, and wealth (Devarim 17:16-17), teaching that the Torah serves as the antidote to royal arrogance. The physical act of writing the scroll humbles the king before divine authority.
Practical Implications
While we currently lack a Jewish monarchy, the Talmud (Sanhedrin 21b) derives from this verse that every Jew should ideally write a Sefer Torah. This reflects the democratic ideal that all Jews - not just kings - must make Torah study and adherence central to their lives.