Great is the study of Torah more than the building of the Temple

The expression states that the study of Torah holds greater importance and superiority than the physical construction of the Temple, emphasizing its supreme spiritual and cultural value.

("Great is the study of Torah more than the building of the Temple, for as long as Baruch son of Neriah lived, Ezra did not cease and ascended" - Megillah 16b. And likewise: 'The Torah preceded the world, it is the supreme idea...' 'Great is the study of Torah more than the building of the Temple,' 'The Torah is greater than the priesthood and the monarchy,' 'There is no free man except one who occupies himself with Torah'... and 'The curse of a Torah scholar precedes the high priest of the land' - Byalik / At the opening of the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.)

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