HOW CAN THE SEDER DERECH HALIMUD BE THE WAY TO LEARN?

Q&A

QUESTION:

To the Rosh Yeshiva shlita,

Thank you for the shiurim and chizuk which are so uplifting, and specifically for the weekly publication which is distributed here in my town.

My question is regarding the seder derech halimud (learning Torah without a strong focus on comprehension), which the Rosh Yeshiva often talks about. It is written in many sefarim that learning Torah isn't supposed to be easy and one must toil for Torah; if so, how can the seder derech halimud be the proper way to learn when it is so effortless to achieve?

Thank you.

THE ROSH YESHIVA'S RESPONSE:

Dear...,

I'm assuming that you haven't tried to learn with the seder derech halimud, and that's why you think that it's 'so effortless to achieve'. True, Chazal teach us (Rashi Vayikra 26:3) that we must toil in learning — however, if you'll try the seder derech halimud and start learning without a strong focus on understanding, you'll see that it does take great effort.

In fact, no one struggles more for the sake of Torah than a person who learns despite his lack of comprehension. The Yismach Yisroel teaches (Parshas Bechukosai 2) that when a person understands what he is learning, he feels immense satisfaction in his studies. Therefore, it can't be called "toil". Real עמילות בתורה is when a person learns בגירסא — by just reading the words of Torah. This is what can truly be referred to as toiling for Torah, because when a person learns this way, he doesn't taste the sweetness and satisfaction of learning Torah.

The Rebbe teaches this same concept, by drawing a parallel between Torah learning and the yamim tovim of Hoshana Rabba and Simchas Torah. He says (Likutei Moharan 1:74) that there are two ways to learn Torah — at times, one learns and understands what he is learning, but other times he doesn't grasp it at all. Hoshana Rabba corresponds to saying words of Torah without comprehension (signified by the aravos which resemble lips), and Simchas Torah corresponds to learning when one does understand. Only after "Hoshana Rabba" (just saying the words) can a person achieve "Simchas Torah" — understanding one's learning and the resulting simcha. Learning Torah without understanding is a crucial first step.

When a person toils in learning — saying the words of Mishnayos and Gemara even if he understands very little of it — his words of Torah are exceptionally precious to Hashem. The Zohar says (Kedoshim 85b) that every word of this kind of Torah learning goes straight up to Hashem, Who rejoices with them. Hashem then plants these words of Torah near a stream, and beautiful arava-trees bloom from them. The Zohar continues that this applies even to a person who makes countless mistakes as he learns (because his comprehension is weak), as the passuk says באהבתה תשגה תמיד (Mishlei 5:19) — In his love for Torah, he learns even with many errors.

Once a person overcomes the initial difficulty of learning Torah without comprehension, he will be zoche to understand, and he'll reap enormous pleasure from his learning. As the Rebbe once remarked to a talmid (Sichos Haran 17), “Once the Torah reveals her face to a person, he will no longer need anything else.”

May Hashem bless you with success in all areas.

Adapted from The Light of Emunah #1, page 186