And Rav also said to Rav Shmuel bar Shilat, “One who studies, studies; and one who doesn’t study let him remain there in the yeshiva so that he will be company for his friend.”
With this statement, Rav teaches one of the rules and guidelines in place for conducting a Torah educational institution. The reason given for the one who does not study to remain in the yeshiva appears somewhat ambiguous in its meaning, since it does not seem to clearly state who will be the company of whom.
Rashi explains that the one who is not studying but sits there idly does not need to be sent out of the class or yeshiva. Rather, he should be allowed to remain there with the others who are actually studying Torah, and eventually the atmosphere of Torah study will have a positive effect on him. He will be moved to also pay attention to the classes and to join in with the others in their pursuit of understanding the Torah.
The Maharsha, however, offers a different interpretation for this rule. He says that the phrase “so that he will be company for his friend” implies that his remaining there is for the friend’s benefit and not for his own benefit. The Maharsha explains that when his friend sees him there, sitting idly, his friend will constantly be reminded how wonderful it is to be learning Torah, unlike the unfortunate person sitting there as “company,” and the one who studies will be encouraged even more to be diligent in his Torah endeavors.
Bava Batra 21a
