How to Start Learning Talmud: 7 Essential Tips for Beginners

One of the most central pillars of a Torah-observant life is Torah study, and at the heart of that study lies the Gemara (Talmud).
For many beginners, Talmud study can feel intimidating. The Aramaic language, the unfamiliar page layout, the lack of punctuation, and the dense blocks of text can make it look more like Chinese than Hebrew.

Before you give up and decide that Talmud “just isn’t for you,” following are some practical tips to help you start your journey with confidence:

1. Don’t Give Up on Yourself

Even if Talmud feels difficult at first, don’t quit. Push yourself, keep trying, and you’ll see that in time, God will help you and illuminate your path. Effort (amal Torah) is an inseparable part of Torah study, and there’s tremendous spiritual reward in that struggle. With time and consistency, you’ll begin to get the rhythm of of the learning, understand its structure, and build knowledge. At first, you may feel completely lost, but don’t despair. It’s a gradual process that improves steadily, and eventually you’ll see divine blessing in your learning.

2. Learn to Read Rashi Script

To study Rashi’s commentary, you’ll need to recognize Rashi script, a special Hebrew font used in the Talmud. Most of the letters look similar to standard Hebrew print; only six are noticeably different:
א, ב, ד, צ, ץ, ש. Once you know these, reading Rashi becomes much easier.

3. Get an Aramaic–Hebrew Dictionary

Because much of the Talmud is written in Aramaic, a good Aramaic–Hebrew dictionary is essential. Keep a small notebook where you write down every unfamiliar Aramaic word along with its meaning.
You’ll find that many terms repeat often, and before long, you’ll build a working vocabulary that makes learning smoother.

4. Keep a “Learning Journal”

After each study session, write down in your own words what you learned — the question (kushya), the answer (terutz), or the main idea of the passage. This habit helps solidify what you’ve learned, ensures you really understood it, and allows the ideas to sink in more deeply.

5. Don’t Rush Ahead

No one’s timing you with a stopwatch. In the beginning, it’s crucial not to move on until you can clearly explain the section to yourself.
Understanding how Talmud “thinks” is built step by step — like constructing a building. You can’t add more floors until the foundation is solid. Patience is key.

6. Pray for Success

Pray to God to grant you wisdom, insight, and clarity in your Talmud study. Ask for help in understanding, remembering, and applying what you learn. Torah understanding is a divine gift as much as it is an intellectual effort.

7. The Golden Tip: Learn with a Study Partner

The best way to learn Talmud is face-to-face with an experienced study partner (chavruta). A mentor can guide you in how to approach the text, how to think through a sugya, and how Gemara logic works. Organizations such as Lev L’Achim and Karov Elai can match you with a chavruta who will be happy to learn with you regularly.

Remember the wisdom from Pirkei Avot: “The shy person does not learn.” Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions — that’s how every great Torah scholar began.