Eikev

The Gemara in Brachos states: They said to Rebbi Yochanan, “there are old people in Bavel.”  He wondered and said “‘l’ma’an yirbu yemaichem…al ha’adama, in order that your days will lengthen.” In “your land” refers to the land of Eretz Yisrael where the Torah writes that people will live for many years and old people will be found there. However, not in chutz la’eretz?!” He responded, “Since they get up early and stay late.” By spending more time in the Beis HaKnesses they have the zechus of arichus yamim. This is like Rav Yehoshua ben Levi said to his son, ‘get up early and stay up late and go to Shul to have the zechus of arichus yamim.’”

I heard from Avi u’Mori an explanation from the Maharsha: The Gemara in Brachos is actually based on a Gemara in Megillah which states: Batei Knessios and Batei Midrashos of Bavel will l’asid lavo be relocated and set in Eretz Yisrael. Therefore, when one learns in a Shul or Beis Midrash out of Eretz Yisrael, it is as though he is learning in Eretz Yisrael itself, and so, he too will be zoche to the guarantee of arichus yamim.

The Maharsha writes that l’asid lavo, the Beis HaMikdash will be as big as the Yerushalayim of Olam Hazeh, and Yerushalayim will be as big as the whole entire Eretz Yisrael. This is because all of the Batei Knessios and Batei Midrashos of chutz la’eretz will attach themselves to the Beis HaMikdash and become one.

Rabeinu Bachya writes that one who learns Torah will have arichus yamim l’asid lavo and he will live 400 or 500 years. This is the time it takes to travel from the shamayim to the aretz, so he will live “kimay hashamayim al ha’aretz.”

May we all be zoche to have arichus yamim and merit the rebuilding of the Beis HaMikdash and Yerushalayim, speedily and in our days!