Torah learning itself is one of the 613 mitzvos of the Torah. We can see Torah learning as a means through which we know how to keep the mitzvos. It does serve this role, but not as a mitzvah itself. Performing the mitzvos are the fulfillment of HaShem's will in action. Torah learning is a fulfillment of His will through thought and speech.
At Har Sinai we accepted the Torah with the words : " Na'aseh v' nishma - We will do and we will listen. Why not " we will listen and we will do ?" When we had responded with " we will hear and we will do " then the sole function would be that we listened - Torah learning, a means through to know how to perform a mitzvah. This would be misrepresenting the concept of Torah learning. " We will do, " is the acceptance of learning how to perform a mitzvah, without the knowlegde we could not perform them. " We will listen, " is the acceptance of learning the Torah beyond what is requierd to perform the mitzvos- Torah learning as its own mitzvah.
Chassidishe teachings explains that doing the act - Na'aseh creates a spiritual vessel. Through the experience of doing, you gain deeper insight and emotional understanding- Nishma.
Rambam's Principles of Faith :
I believe with complete emunah that the entire Torah now in our hands is the same Torah that was given to Moshe Rabbeinu.
I believe with complete emunah that this Torah will not be exchanged or that there will be another Torah from HaShem.
Our mission in life is to get close to HaShem. To be able to achieve this closeness, HaShem gave us the Torah. There are positive mitzvos ( do's )which enebles us to grow and reach a higher level to subjugating the body and soul. The negative mitzvos ( dont's ) are fences that protects the Torah.
When the Jewish people are united in serving HaShem, and when each of us individually doing what must be done, whether we are men or women, rich or poor, there is no longer individual Jews, but klal Yisroel. Together we are more powerful, like a minyan is more powerful than a Jew davening on its own.
" And Your people are all righteous, they shall inherit the land forever ( Eretz Yisroel ), they are the brance of My planting, My handiwork, in which to take pride. " Yeshayah 60: 21.
The most important thing which we gain from Torah learning is a Divine connection, which is the spiritual influence of Torah. Learning Torah is necessary since without, we could never come to observance of the Mitzvos. When we do not study Torah, how do we know what HaShem wants from us? But apart from this, Torah learning fulfills a huge role in perfecting ourselves.
A fundamental concept regarding learning Torah, is that although the Torah takes the form of words and statements, the essence of Torah is the Divine influence within Torah. Our mind is the means how we processes Torah, elevate through Torah and resides within us. Learning Torah is not about information, but about how we can transform ourselves.
The Torah is Love, it's Life, its a eternal covenant between HaShem and the Jewish people.
A Holy and Living Torah, to learn, to live and to serve HaShem.
The Torah, the voice of heaven as it is heard on earth, the Word that gives light to the world.
The Torah is a Gift.
Thank you HaShem.