MORESHET SHAUL: THE STUDY OF CHUMASH

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The main reason that people do not give proper regard to study of Chumash is that it seems too light and simple. The fact that school children start studying it in second grade and "master" the study sometimes makes one feel that it is "study of young children."
There are other factors that reinforce this perception, and the first applies to those who previously learned in a yeshiva. Since in yeshivot the main focus is on the study of gemara, which is intended to fully occupy his mind, the study of Chumash is seen as something that unscholarly people do, and therefore not a worthwhile topic. Yeshiva students like to say that if you do not remember the location of a certain gemara, find it in the K’tzot Hachoshen, and if you want to find a pasuk, look at the gemara that quotes it. The Volozhin Yeshiva was unique, as the Netziv would regularly learn the weekly portion with the students. In other yeshivot, though, they would look with disapproval on the student who would be careful about the practice of reading the weekly Torah text twice and the Aramaic translation once. Those members of the moshav who were yeshiva students, even if their youthful passion for study of gemara has mainly dissipated, their disregard for the study of Chumash was preserved. This occurs despite the fact that now they are indeed unscholarly (which they seem to forget), so that [even according to their misconceptions], study of the portion of the week is the necessary basis of their study.
In order to learn a page of gemara one needs a clear mind and enough time to allow the absorption of the topics’ give and take. Also, most of the topics found therein are far from practical questions that regularly arise. In contrast, regarding the study of Chumash, any length of time can be taken advantage of, and it provides ideas, a philosophy of life, ethics, and belief in Hashem, even within small sections – even one pasuk and sometimes one word.

What Should a Soldier Study in his Free Time?

Moreshet Shaul (42)

Various Rabbis

42 - MORESHET SHAUL: OVERVIEW OF THE RAMBAM’S APPROACH

43 - MORESHET SHAUL: THE STUDY OF CHUMASH

The issue found in the title reminds us of the Jew who came to Rav Yisrael Salanter and asked him what he should study during the free half hour he had every day. Rav Salanter answered: "Study mussar (ethics), and then you will realize that you have more than 30 minutes of free time." However, certainly the conditions in the army are different, and a soldier’s free time is very limited, so that the question of what to learn arises.
It is difficult to speak of preferences. It is not possible to suggest a plan of "this is what you should learn." The major rule is: "One should always study Torah from the place that appeals to him" (see Avoda Zara 19a). The study thus is first and foremost dependent on each individual’s tastes. There are those who are most attracted to a page of gemara; another person is interested by contemplating a topic in Jewish Philosophy; a third prefers a chapter in a book of ethics. It need not be fixed, and it is possible that the next day the choice will change. In any case, we should leave the choice in his hand – based on his calculations and personal preferences.
The above applies to soldiers who have a level of Torah scholarship that enables them to study where they desire. For others, who are taking their first steps on the road of religious studies, it is proper to offer them the study of relevant practical Halacha melded together with Torah study, for one is not possible without the other.
"Study is great, for it leads to actions" (Kiddushin 40b). Action is incomplete without study. Therefore, one must first study all of the basic principles of Halacha, while at the same time search for their roots, in a manner of Torah study that leads to action.

Moreshet Shaul