Whoever engages in Torah study for its own sake merits many things … it makes him appropriate to be righteous … it moves him away from sin …
The Medrash Shmuel questions the lashon of the mishnah, which uses the word of “making kosher” as opposed to “forming” or “making.” He explains that learning Torah lishmah requires a powerful process that can be compared to koshering utensils and the like.
It has already been stated that he is appropriate to be righteous. From which sins does he have to move away? Our chachamim elaborate that he is dissociated from improper thoughts.
The Medrash Shmuel offers another explanation and says that a person who is engaged in Torah study becomes distanced from the aveiros that he has already committed. The prosecutor in Shamayim backs off.
