One who studies Torah should write down in a book every new Torah thought that comes to him. He should not disdain any of his novellae. Likewise, he should write down every novel Torah thought that he hears from others, for the commentators write that now that Holy Temple does not stand, and there are no offerings, writing Torah novellae atones for the person as though he brought offerings. A verse in Tehillim alludes to this: burnt-offering and sin-offering You did not request. Then I said, “Behold I have come!” with the Scroll of the Book that is written for me (Tehillim 40:7-8). These commentators likewise write that a person will one day be judged because Heaven revealed Torah novellae to him and he did not write them down, for the reason they were revealed to him was only so that he would record them and then other people would also get benefit from them. The writer, as well, will gain benefit from doing so after his death, for when others study his words, his “lips will be speaking in the grave.”

If only a person could write out all the novel Torah thoughts he ever heard since his youth! That way he would be able to do good out of the words that are sweeter than honey and more precious than gold. And although there are already many things that are already printed, but there is a lot more that is not. And, in any case, it is much better to have a collection in one place of everything that he hears, both “sweet” and “sharp,” and it would be a kindness to people who do not have access to all those books, for now they can learn them from his book.