The Unique Spiritual Light of Every Sefer
In Likutei Mohoran I, 61, Rebbe Nachman says that all of the sefarim that follow the tradition of the Torah as given to us by Moshe Rabbeinu and the Sages of the Talmud are absolutely necessary for the world. Every single sefer has a unique seichel that can bring us closer to Hashem in a way that is different from all the other sefarim. Nonetheless, there are certain sefarim that are more essential than others. Regarding niglah, Rebbe Nachman says that the Gemarra (with Rashi, Tosafos, Rosh and the Rif) and the Shulchan Aruch (with the main poskim) are the primary limud for every Jew. Similarly, regarding kabbalah, the main sefer is the Writings of the Arizal, and regarding chassidus, the main sefer is Likutei Halachos (see Sichos HaRan 76).
Therefore, when we decide what to learn on a daily basis, these sefarim should be the focus of our studies – each one of us according to his level. However, as we mentioned before, when we’re very careful to use our time wisely, we can often find that we have a little extra time in our daily schedule for other sefarim as well. In addition, there may be days when we have a lot of free time to learn – such as Shabbos, a vacation, and so on.
It is very important for us to take advantage of this extra time to go through other sefarim, since each sefer has a special spiritual light that can awaken us to serve Hashem. There are many commentaries on the Chumash that can inspire us to live with the weekly parshah. There are sefarim of halachah that give us a very clear path in fulfilling mitzvos in modern day situations. There are sefarim of mussar and chassidus that can illuminate our minds and hearts to do teshuvah. Thus, when we have an opening in our daily schedule or period of free time, we should choose a sefer and go through it quickly, so that we can find a new spiritual connection to Hashem.
