Therefore impress these My words upon your very heart: bind them as a sign on your hand and let them serve as a -symbol on your forehead, and teach them to your children—reciting them when you stay at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you get up; and inscribe them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates— to the end that you and your children may endure, in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers to assign to them, as long as there is a heaven over the earth.
(יז) שִׁמְעוֹן בְּנוֹ אוֹמֵר, כָּל יָמַי גָּדַלְתִּי בֵין הַחֲכָמִים, וְלֹא מָצָאתִי לַגּוּף טוֹב אֶלָּא שְׁתִיקָה. וְלֹא הַמִּדְרָשׁ הוּא הָעִקָּר, אֶלָּא הַמַּעֲשֶׂה. וְכָל הַמַּרְבֶּה דְבָרִים, מֵבִיא חֵטְא:
(17) Shimon (ben Gamliel)...says, "...the exposition [of Torah] is not what is essential, but the action.
וכבר היה רבי טרפון וזקנים מסובין בעלית בית נתזה בלוד נשאלה שאילה זו בפניהם תלמוד גדול או מעשה גדול נענה רבי טרפון ואמר מעשה גדול נענה ר"ע ואמר תלמוד גדול נענו כולם ואמרו תלמוד גדול שהתלמוד מביא לידי מעשה
And once Rabbi Tarfon and the Elders were reclining in the attic of the House of Nitzah in Lod [and] this question was asked in front of them: Is study greater or action greater? Rabbi Tarfon answered and said, "Action is greater." Rabbi Akiva answered and said, "Study is greater." They all answered and said, "Study is greater, since study brings about action."
Shachareet/Morning Service
Praised be You, Adonai our God, Sovereign of the Universe, Who has sanctified us with Mitzvot and commanded us to engage in the Study of Torah.
(א) אלו דברים שאין להם שעור. הפאה, והבכורים, והראיון, וגמילות חסדים, ותלמוד תורה. אלו דברים שאדם אוכל פרותיהן בעולם הזה והקרן קימת לו לעולם הבא. כבוד אב ואם, וגמילות חסדים, והבאת שלום בין אדם לחברו ותלמוד תורה כנגד כלם.
(1) These are the things that have no measure: Peah [corner of the field which, while harvesting, must be left for the poor], Bikurim [First-fruits that must be brought to the Temple and given to the priest], the appearance-sacrifice [brought to the Temple on Pilgrimage Festivals], acts of kindness, and the study of the Torah. These are things the fruits of which a man enjoys in this world, while the principal remains for him in the World to Come: Honoring one's father and mother, acts of kindness, and bringing peace between a man and his fellow. But the study of Torah is equal to them all.
Barry W. Holtz; Textual Knowledge – Teaching the Bible in Theory and Practice
Studying is the essence of being a Jew. It defines who one is. Hence, Jewish learning is not only the instrumental gaining of skills, knowledge and competencies. It is the religious act par excellence. Religious education is not only a preparation for what will come later; it is being a Jew, realizing one’s Jewishness, in the very act of studying.
רבי מאיר אומר כל העוסק בתורה לשמה, זוכה לדברים הרבה. ולא עוד אלא שכל העולם כלו כדאי הוא לו. נקרא רע, אהוב, אוהב את המקום, אוהב את הבריות, משמח את המקום, משמח את הבריות, ומלבשתו ענוה ויראה, ומכשרתו להיות צדיק חסיד ישר ונאמן, ומרחקתו מן החטא, ומקרבתו לידי זכות, ונהנין ממנו עצה ותושיה בינה וגבורה. ונותנת לו מלכות וממשלה וחקור דין, ומגלין לו רזי תורה, ונעשה כמעין המתגבר וכנהר שאינו פוסק, והוי צנוע וארך רוח, ומוחל על עלבונו, ומגדלתו ומרוממתו על כל המעשים.
Rabbi Meir says: Anyone who involves himself in Torah for its own sake merits many things, and moreover the entire world is worthwhile for his sake; He is called "friend," "beloved," "lover of the Omnipresent," "lover of [all] creatures," "delighter of the Omnipresent," "delighter of [all] creatures." He is clothed in humility and reverence, and it prepares him to be righteous, devout, upright and trustworthy, and it distances him from sin, and draws him near to merit. We enjoy from him counsel and comprehension, understanding and strength,... It gives him kingship and dominion, and [the ability to] investigate in judgement, and the secrets of the Torah are revealed to him, and he becomes like an ever-strengthening spring, and like a river that does not stop. He is modest and long-tempered, and forgives insult to him; And it enlarges him and raises him above all [that God] made.
Ruach Chaim-Chapter 6
It is clear that the concept of studying Torah for its own sake involves more than merely drawing closer to Hashem. In fact, it represents a desire...to understand the minutest detail of every mitzvah, and finally, to comprehend the secrets of Hashem's marvelous deeds and ...glory.
He will be so consumed with his love of Torah that he will wish that he could forgo food and sleep in order to dedicate every moment to Torah study…Once we have experienced some of Your light of Torah by studying it, we will see that there is additional light to be acquired and will strive to attain it...
...one who studies Torah is perpetuating the existence of the world. As such, he is a partner with Hashem, as it were, in the creation of the world.
One who studies with ulterior motives will be granted whatever he desires.If he desires wealth, he will become rich. If he desires honor, he will become honored. One who studies Torah for its own sake will receive the special reward reserved for such people. Additionally, he will receive whatever reward people might desire when they study with ulterior motives.
(ה) רבי ישמעאל [בנו] אומר, הלומד תורה על מנת ללמד, מספיקין בידו ללמוד וללמד. והלומד על מנת לעשות, מספיקין בידו ללמוד וללמד לשמור ולעשות. רבי צדוק אומר, אל תעשם עטרה להתגדל בהם, ולא קרדם לחפור בהם. וכך היה הלל אומר, ודאשתמש בתגא, חלף. הא למדת, כל הנהנה מדברי תורה, נוטל חייו מן העולם.
One who studies Torah in order to teach will be given the opportunity both to study and to teach. One who studies in order to practice will be given the opportunity to study, to teach, to observe, and to practice.
Rambam, Laws of Studying Torah
For study of Torah, even when pursued from interested motives, will lead to study for its own sake.
Rambam, Guide for the Perplexed, Part 3 51:5
The true worship of God is only possible when correct notions of Him have previously been conceived. When you have arrived by way of intellectual research at a knowledge of God and His works, then commence to devote yourselves to Him, try to approach Him and strengthen the intellect, which is the link that joins you to Him...the Law distinctly states that the highest kind of worship...is only possible after the acquisition of the knowledge of God...man's love of God is identical with his knowledge of Him... It has thus been shown that it must be man's aim, after having acquired the knowledge of God, to deliver himself up to Him, and to have his heart constantly filled with longing after Him.