Knowledge is Important

R. Eleazar also said: Whenever there is in a man knowledge, it is as if the Sanctuary had been built in his days; for knowledge is set between two names (For a God of knowledge is the Lord.), and the Sanctuary is set between two names (Thou hast made, O Lord, the sanctuary, O Lord.).
-Berachoth 33a

This, too, did Raba say: Let one by all means learn, even though he is liable to forget, yea, even if he does not fully understand all the words which he studies, as it is said, My soul breaketh for the longing that it hath unto Thy ordinances at all times.
-Avodah Zarah 19a

Commentary: Knowledge and scholarship as spiritual tools have always been important in Judaism. In fact, the first petitionary prayer in the Amidah (the standing prayer) is for knowledge. Knowledge divorced from spirituality is unfulfilling, but by the same token it is hard to advance to deeper levels of enlightenment without having first procured the tools of wisdom and discrimination. Acquire a love of learning and then use your wisdom to help people and to bring yourself closer to G-d. These actions done without thought of reward will, nevertheless, result in great reward.