Q&A: The Commandment of Torah Study
The Commandment of Torah Study
Question
Hello Rabbi,
If one fulfills the obligation of the commandment of Torah study by reciting the Shema in the evening and in the morning, then why is this commandment needed at all, when there is in any case also the commandment of reciting the Shema in the evening and in the morning?
Answer
One can of course distinguish based on intention. When a person recites the Shema in order to accept the yoke of the Kingdom of Heaven, he fulfills the commandment of Shema, not Torah study. Only if he intends it for Torah study does he fulfill his obligation of Torah study.
But beyond that, I think the commandment of Torah study is only a hint to the non-halakhic element found in Torah study, which is the important part. I discussed this in a lecture here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAFe4p7SDrw
and in my article in the latest Tzohar issue (which for some reason has not yet been uploaded to the site).