Parshas Hashovua-Parshas Vayeleich

Parshas Hashavua

 טף למה באין, כדי ליתן שכר למביאיהן

 The Gemoro asks why were  infants brought to the Mitzvah  

of Hakhel. The Gemoro answers, to reward the

ones who brought them. (the parents)

From this Gemoro it seems, there is no benefit for infants,

to be brought to the Bais Hamidrash just to listen to the  learning.

Otherwise, the simple answer  should have been they came

to listen so to have the Torah  absorbed in them.

How do we explain Chazal ( Yerushalmi Yevamos 8b) The mother of

R. Yehoshua brought him in his crib  (infant) into the Bais Haknesess

so his ears will be attached to Torah.

Mori V’rabi Harav Hagaon R. Shlomo Miller Shlita said , 

"The Gemoro holds, there is  no benefit for a child who doesn’t 

understand, to listen to Torah learning. Torah doesn’t get 

absorbed just by listening,without understanding it.

That is the reason of the Gemoro  asks why to bother bringing 

infants.

The Gemoro answers, Hashem rewards parents who believe 

it will benefit the child and therefore bring the child to the Bais 

Hamidrash,

The reward is they do benefit and become Talmidei Chachamim.

TheTorah gets absorbed in them.This is the  שכר למביאיהן

Since the Segulah only works as a reward, for bringing 

the child to listen and absorb Torah

If the child was brought to Shul  not for that purpose but for other 

reasons such as to give  the mother a break so she could have a 

rest etc,  this child will not benefit listening to Torah being in the 

Bais Hamedrash since he doesn't understand and the parents 

are not be rewarded for bringing them."