As we enter the month of Tamuz, when the days are long and the nights short, we find a very interesting discussion.
The Gemara in Eruvin (65a) quotes R’ Yehuda as saying the night was created only for sleeping. Reish Lakish, on the other hand, says the moon was created so one might study Torah by its light.
Tosfos seems to resolve their dispute by saying the nights R’ Yehuda referred to were the nights of Tekufas Tamuz. Presumably, since they are so short, one should make use of the time to sleep, but as we know, once Tu B’Av passes and the nights get longer, one is supposed to increase his Torah study at night, and if he does not, he shortens his life.
However, the Rambam, quoted by the Tur in Yoreh Deah 246, says that one who wishes to earn the crown of Torah should be careful to learn ALL his nights, which the Prisha says, includes the nights of Tekufas Tamuz.
It would seem that Tosfos and the Rambam disagree whether one should be learning on these summer nights, but perhaps they are not.
The Gemara in Shabbos (31b) says that when one comes for Heavenly judgment, he will be asked if he was “kovea” times to learn. Normally this means establishing set times, but the Hafla suggests that kovea can also mean to steal, and one should “steal” time from his workday to learn Torah.
Perhaps, then, on these nights of Tamuz which are so short that all agree they are simply made for sleeping, the Rambam suggests it is the perfect time to “steal” some moments to learn.
