אות - עו

We heard that the Rebbe once said he studied all four sections of the Shulchan Arukh three times.

The first time, he understood its simple meaning.

The second time, he was able to trace the Talmudic source of each law.

The third time, he understood the Kabbalistic significance of each law and its relationship to the transcendental worlds.

From the way it was told, we understood that the Rebbe did this in his youth. We knew that he later reviewed the Shulchan Arukh many times.

This was the Rebbe’s way. He literally drank in knowledge. This was true even toward the end of his life, when he suffered greatly from tuberculosis. He was very involved with the congregation. He spent hours with us, offering us advice and teaching us how to approach God. His mind may have been constantly soaring in the highest ethereal realms. Still, he would spend considerable time each day in simple study.

With all this, the Rebbe was never pressed for time. He was always calm and relaxed. It is absolutely impossible to describe his unique serenity. Because of it, he had time for all things.

The Rebbe always studied quickly. In a single hour, he could go through several pages of the Shulchan Arukh , including all its major commentaries. On a page of Orach Chaim , 110 "The Path of Life,” the first section of the Shulchan Arukh dealing with the laws of prayer and the holy days. he would include the Taz , 111 Abbreviation of Turey Zahav ("Rows of Gold"), by Rabbi David HaLevi Segal of Lvov, published in 1646. the Magen Avraham , 112 See above, note 148. the Be'er HaGolah , 113 "Guide of the Exile,” by Rabbi Moshe Rivkish of Vilna, published in 1658. the Pri Chadash 114 "New Fruit,” by Rabbi Hezekiah diSilva of Jerusalem, published in 1691. and the Ateret Zekeinim . 115 "Crown of the Elders,” by Rabbi Menachem Mendel Ohrbach of Kratchin (d. 1689). He would study their counterparts in the other sections of the Shulchan Arukh .

He once told us that in the morning, between the time the congregation began to assemble and the time they began worshipping, he would go through at least four pages of the Shulchan Arukh (see Tzaddik #265) .

This was true of everything the Rebbe studied. Whether it was the Talmud or the codes, the Rebbe literally flew through the pages.

Many times the Rebbe told us that it is best to study a subject rapidly and not to spend time on each detail.

Study with speed and simplicity. Understand each thing in its own context, and do not confuse yourself with its relation to other subjects. If you do not understand a concept, do not spend too much time on it. Go further, and in most cases, you will eventually comprehend the first thing as well.

The Rebbe said that when you study, you need only read the words aloud and in order. Then you will automatically understand. Do not confuse yourself by trying to understand everything at once. You will have much difficulty and end up understanding nothing.

Concentrate on what you are studying. Read the words in order and with enthusiasm. Understanding will come of itself. What you do not understand at first, you will comprehend later. Even if there are things you never understand, the quantity outweighs all else. The Talmud teaches, “Learn everything, and then seek understanding” ( Avodah Zarah 19a; Shabbat 63a ) .

You must read the words even if you do not understand them completely. It is written, “My soul broke through with desire” (Psalms 119:20) . The Talmud comments that the surface must be broken, but the depths need not be explored. One need only read the words, even if one does not fully understand ( Avodah Zarah , ibid.) .

When you study quickly, you will absorb a great deal. You will be able to review each volume many times. What you do not understand at first will appear simple the second or third time. You will eventually understand all that you can.

The Rebbe spoke about this so often that everything cannot be recorded. But what we have quoted here is excellent advice. Follow this path and you will complete many volumes. You will have a better understanding than one who tries to comprehend everything the first time.

A person who is overly meticulous can become very confused. Often he will abandon his studies completely and end up with nothing.

Accustom yourself to learn quickly, without too much attention to detail. You will then be worthy of learning in quantity. You will be able to complete the Talmud, the codes, the Bible, the Midrash, the mystical books of the Zohar , the Kabbalah and all the other sacred works.

We have already mentioned that it is good for a person to complete all books concerning the Torah in his lifetime (see “ His Wisdom ” #28) .

The Rebbe once reckoned all that one must study each day if he has the time.

You should study enough each day so that at the end of a year, you will have completed the entire Talmud with the Rif and the Rosh ; the four sections of the Shulchan Arukh ; all the Midrashim ; all the books of the Zohar , Tikkuney Zohar and Zohar Chadash ; and all the Kabbalistic writings of the Ari. 116 This would entail completing some 30,000 pages each year.

Besides this, you should spend some time each day studying in depth. You should also say the Psalms each day, as well as many additional prayers. Even all this does not exhaust the Rebbe’s list.

At that time, the Rebbe also spoke at length, telling us to study quickly and eagerly, without confusion or over-attention to detail.

The Rebbe also told us not to review each thing immediately. He advised us to complete each volume as rapidly as possible from beginning to end, and then to review the entire work as a whole.

The Rebbe also told us not to be anxious if we could not complete everything he suggested each day. One can be a religious Jew even without that much study.

He also said that one can be a tzaddik even without being a very profound scholar. 117 Zohar I, 59b; Netzutzey Orot ad loc., 5, 6; “ His Wisdom ” #211. Deep perception can be attained only with Talmudic scholarship, but even the simplest Jew can be righteous. “It is not incumbent upon you to complete the work, but neither are you free to desist from it” ( Avot 2:16) .