Many an inspirational talk in Yeshiva halls (sichas musar) have invoked the opening Rashi of Bechukosai, making it part of the lexicon of expressions of the Jewish people. Typically, Rashi aims to resolve the seeming redundancy of the first Pasuk, "If you will follow my laws and observe my commandments and do them". Interpreting the first phrase to mean "Shetiheyu ameilim baTorah" - that you should toil and extend unmeasured efforts in the study of Torah - we are thus assured peace, prosperity and pride if we invest ourselves in the study of Torah with the purpose of maintaining and observing mitzvos. Once again, at the parallel text introducing the actual tochecha, where Hashem prepares us for some of the worst moments of our past, Rashi reminds us that all of that came to be, because our spiritual lives unraveled starting with the lack of "ameilus batorah".
These comments of Rashi pose several questions worth pondering. Is it possible that our national fortune depends on what we have come to see as the experience of a stage of life or at most a small segment of our people? In other words, how can the total immersion in study become the test for people who due to circumstances may only be able to spend small parts of one's day in Torah study? Further, how does Rashi see in the phrase "If you will walk with my laws" a reference to being absorbed by Torah study?
A careful look shows us that Hashem chose the word "chok" rather than mishpat or mitzva to express "laws". Additionally, Hashem chose "if you will walk" rather than "observe" or "do" to express the required action. Why this choice of words? The term "chok" usually denotes laws whose reasons have been hidden from us, and thus our allegiance to them is a testament to our acceptance of a higher authority of infinitely greater wisdom. "Walking" connotes a consistent activity which will lay claim to some goal or destination. Thus the "ameilus", the investment referred to, is the unstinting dedication to a source of wisdom far beyond ourselves. Let's explain.
It seems to me that there are two forms or sources of ameilus which are indeed shared by all those who study, irrespective of station in life or whether one has eighteen hours a day or several hours a week.
The intense effort to understand a text or an idea is rooted in the unabiding trust we have in the depth of Torah ideas that emanate from Hashem. Because of this trust, we are sure that when we delve into Torah insights will emerge. In other words, the commitment to the observance of "chok" also pushes us to investigate Torah.
Additionally one can make great investment and effort through an ongoing, i.e. "walking", schedule of learning.
One can now well understand that pursuit of study is the ultimate test of our observance and hence the focus of our parsha.