On the other hand, those of us who are capable of learning halachah in depth should certainly do so. As we mentioned previously, the spiritual benefits of studying Shulchan Aruch are immense, so if we are able to invest more time and effort in this practice, we will certainly reap the rewards.
The deeper level of learning the Shulchan Aruch starts with studying the Tur and Beis Yosef in order to understand the summary of the Gemarra and Rishonim that is the source of the halacha in the Shulchan Aruch. Without this background information, it is very hard to grasp the topics that the commentaries on the Shulchan Aruch discuss.
Next, we should learn the Shulchan Aruch with the main poskim – the Taz and Magen Avraham or Shach (depending on the particular section of Shulchan Aruch), as well as the Be’er Heitev, who summarizes all the opinions, as we mentioned before.
Regarding this method of studying Shulchan Aruch, Rebbe Nachman says: “If a person is able to learn the four sections of the Shulchan Aruch with all of the main commentaries – this is good.” With this, he hints to us that we should be careful not to become arrogant. The study of Shulchan Aruch in depth awakens our seichel and gives us such incredible clarity in the Torah that, after we engage in this practice, it is easy for the ego to trick us into having feelings of superiority. Therefore, Rebbe Nachman tells us that this limud is “good” – just like the simple study of Shulchan Aruch – to remind us that our ability to learn in this way doesn’t make us better than anyone else, and we should learn purely for Hashem’s sake.
Additionally, if we’re having a day on which we simply can’t think clearly enough to study Shulchan Aruch in depth, or we’re too busy to do so, we shouldn’t make the mistake of not learning the Shulchan Aruch at all. As Rebbe Nachman mentions in this sichah, studying even just one halachah from the Shulchan creates incredible tikkunim in our lives and in all the higher worlds! So, we shouldn’t look down on the simple approach to learning the Shulchan Aruch and skip days here and there, or not even study it at all, G-d forbid. Rather, each of us should learn the Shulchan Aruch every single day on the level that is accessible to us at the time.
