The Beginner's Guide: Is it Necessary to Set Fixed Times for Torah Study?

The mitzvah of Torah study is repeated in many places in the Torah, such as "And you shall teach them diligently to your children, and you shall speak of them when you sit in your house and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 6:7), "And you shall teach them to your children, to speak of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down and when you rise up" (Deuteronomy 11:19) etc.

Studying Torah is not just another mitzvah among others; but rather, this mitzvah holds a significant and central place in the service of Hashem. It is stated in the Talmud that on the Day of Judgment, when a person's soul stands before the Heavenly Court, he is asked if he set fixed times for Torah study, and in the anguage of the Gemara: "Rava said, at the time when they bring a person to judgment, they say to him: Did you conduct your business faithfully? Did you establish times for Torah study? Did you engage in procreation? Did you await salvation? Did you delve into wisdom? Did you understand one thing from another?" (Tractate Shabbat, Page 31a), and the Sages explain that the beginning of a person's judgment and punishment will be whether he set aside times for Torah study: "A person's judgment begins only regarding Torah matters."

Rabbi Yisrael Meir HaCohen, known as the Chafetz Chaim, writes in the halachic workMishna Berura: "And the person who does not hasten himself to set fixed times for Torah every day will surely remain empty of everything, Heaven forbid, and what will he answer on the day of judgment? - but the wise have their eyes in their heads" (Biur Halacha, Siman 155, s.v. "Time to Study").

Torah study is indeed the purpose of creation, as the sages say: "Hashem made a condition with creation: if Israel accepts the Torah - you will exist, and if not - I will return you to void and chaos" (Tractate Shabbat, Page 88a). The study of Torah at all times is what sustains creation itself, and without it, creation would not exist. In the language of Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin in his work Nefesh HaChaim (Page 227): "And the truth is without any doubt at all, that if the entire world from end to end were to be devoid even for one moment of our engagement and contemplation in Torah, all worlds, upper and lower, would be destroyed and become void and nothing, Heaven forbid."

There are three reasons for the fulfillment of the commandment of Torah study: Firstly, knowing the laws and statutes of the Torah is imperative to know how to fulfill the mitzvot of the Torah and to avoid that which is forbidden. Secondly, the very engagement and study of Torah for its own sake is also a purpose of the commandment of study in itself. It is the will of Hashem that a Jew should learn and know the Torah, and learning that is done with the purpose of fulfilling the will of Hashem is learning for the sake of Heaven. Finally, creating closeness and connection with Hashem is best achieved through Torah study, more than any other mitzvah.

The Weekly Challenge

Begin this week by setting regular Torah study times. It can be even just 20 minutes a day to start, and gradually increase as much as you can. If you are already setting study times, you can elevate the level and type of study, as well as increase the frequency or duration. There are several options for setting Torah study times, at different levels. Choose the one of the following that suits your current stage:
1. Watch various Torah lessons and study Torah words from books and websites. Also, the "Learn Torah" section on the 'Hidabroot' website contains hundreds of video and written Torah teachings that will help you study Torah at times convenient for you.
2. Purchase holy books on various topics and set a fixed daily time for studying them.
3. Subscribe to the 'Veten Chelkeinu' booklets by Rabbi Kowalsky and study the daily part for about ten minutes. These are also available in the "Veten Chelkeinu" section on the 'Hidabroot' website.
4. Look for Torah lessons in your area this week, and start attending those that suit you regularly. There are many topics for Torah lessons: the weekly Torah portion, ethics, halacha, Gemara, etc.
5. Study Gemara with Schottenstein.
6. Attend a regular daily class of Daf Yomi. Look for synagogues and study halls in your area where a Daf Yomi class takes place.
7.Recommended: The best way to achieve deep, thorough, serious, and elevated Torah study is by learning Gemara in a chavruta (together with another person). As a start, inquire with yeshivas, kollels, and synagogues in your area if there is a scholar who can sit with you regularly during the week, even twice a week to start, and teach you how to study Gemara. It's advisable to emphasize to him that the goal is not that he pass the material on the Gemara page to you and "spoon-feed" you, but rather guide and direct you on how to study a page of Gemara, so you can actively participate in the learning, allowing you to eventually study Gemara independently in a chavruta.

What Will You Gain from Torah Study? 6 Things You Don't Want to Miss

Torah Study on Shabbat – Can't Miss on the Day of Rest?! 7 Facts That Will Surprise You

Why Learn Torah, Isn't it Enough to Keep Shabbat?! 5 Facts That Will Surprise You

Torah Study: The Pinnacle of Mitzvot for the Jewish Man – Revelations That Will Make You Run to the Book