Shalom from Dallas --
Could someone point me to where Rav Ashi (Makos 10; 1:Selection of the Arei Miklat) is gathering that grain = Torah? Is that an analogy that he came up with himself or...?
Thanks in advance,
Rebecca Polius, Dallas, TX, USA
The Gemara in question is on 10a (not 10b).
I am not sure what your problem is, particularly as R. Ashi is not the only opinion mentioned there. Nor is he the only opinion who interprets 'grain' as Torah.
What is clear is that the Pasuk (verse), which reads "Whovever loves a lot, will have grain", requires interpretation. Some sages interpret it with regard to Mitzvos, others, with regard to Torah. Both analogies make good sense, since Torah and Mitzvos nourish the Soul just as grain nourishes the body.
Incidentally, the gist of Rav Ashi's explanation is that someone who loves learning in a group (i.e. in the Beis ha'Medrash where there are other Talmidei Chachamim learning, will accumulate much knowledge [perhaps it would be appropriate to say that 'he will reap the benefits' of such a policy).
Please let me know if there is still something that requires clarification.
Be'Virchas Kol Tuv,
Rabbi Chrysler