Upon entering the Land of Israel, Joshua is commanded by G-d "Let not his Book of the Torah depart (Yamush) from your mouth". (Joshua, 1:8) The Torah is to be our constant companion in life...and even afterwards. Rabbi Nachman of Breslov gives an alternate interpretation for "Yamush". He connects it to the word "Mamash", which means "corporeal". (It has a secondary and later meaning of "really") Rabbi Nachman interprets the verse "Do not make the Torah corporeal in your mouth!" In other words, take care to keep the Torah pure and spiritual. Don't turn it into a means of earning a living, a political tool, a book of"lucky secrets" or superstition. The Torah is meant to connect us with G-d, and change our character for the better. The Torah is transformational. The Torah is the eternal message of the Living G-d. It is not a book of incantations and spells. It is our encounter with Eternity!
Next week, we celebrate Shavu'ot "the season of the Giving of the Torah".We receive the Torah anew. Let us receive the message of G-d, and nothing less...nothing temporal or corporeal.