Which Parts of Torah Should One Learn?

Rav Chaim Weg

Question: What should my learning schedule be like? Should I learn Chumash, Daf Yomi, Mishnayos, etc.?

Answer: The Gemara says that a person should divide his learning time into three parts. One-third of his time should be on Torah Shebiksav, one-third should be used for Mishnayos, and one-third should be used for Gemara.

The Rambam says that this only applies when a person is beginning to learn. Once one has mastered Chumash and Mishnayos, his focus should be on Gemara, and he should only spend a small amount of time reviewing Chumash and Mishnayos so that he shouldn’t forget it.

The Rema paskens like Rabenu Tam, who says that even for a beginner, his main focus should be on Gemara. He says that since our Gemara contains pesukim and Mishnayos, it encompasses everything and, therefore, should be one’s main focus. Rav Sheftel, the son of the Shlah, says that the mitzvah to learn Gemara is similar to the mitzvah of putting on tefillin in that it is a basic mitzvah that is incumbent on everyone.

Still, the Mishnah Berurah writes that one should learn some Chumash, Mishnayos, and Gemara every day. He says that one fulfills this with the pesukim, Mishna, and Gemara that we recite after saying Birchas Hatorah.

[There is also a requirement to learn and know Halacha, as will be discussed separately.]