Question: Is it halachically preferable to learn in a beis midrash instead of one’s house?
Short Answer: Yes, one should ideally learn in a beis midrash.
I. The Source
The Yerushalmi (B’rachos 5:1) states that there is a covenant from Hashem that anyone who learns seriously in a beis k’neses will not quickly forget his learning. The Yerushalmi continues that there is a covenant from Hashem that anyone who learns seriously in secret will not quickly forget his learning.
The sefer S’dei Tzofim on the Yerushalmi (ibid.) notes that these two statements appear to be contradictory. Are you supposed to learn in a beis k’neses or in secret? He suggests that you are really supposed to learn in a beis k’neses. But if you happen to be learning in your home, you should learn in a secluded place in your home. Similarly, you should not learn “in the street” or other public areas.
II. Beis Midrash vs. Beis K’neses
The Rambam (Hilchos Talmud Torah 3:12) codifies this Gemara, but instead of beis k’neses, the Rambam says beis midrash. The Shulchan Aruch (Yoreh Dei’ah 246:22), however, codifies the Gemara exactly like the Yerushalmi, with the term beis k’neses.
Both the Shach (24) and the Taz (8) explain that the Shulchan Aruch is lav davka, and that certainly a person should preferably learn in a beis midrash (which has a higher level of k’dushah).
The sefer Avodas HaMelech (on this Rambam) queries why these poskim do not note that the Rambam expressly lists beis midrash. He answers that some Acharonim actually had the girsa of beis k’neses in the Rambam. Regardless, it is clear that a person should preferably learn in a beis midrash instead of in his house.
III. The Importance of the Beis Midrash
What is so special about learning in a beis midrash?
The S’dei Tzofim (ibid.) suggests that learning in a beis midrash forces the learner to learn out loud, which is a z’chus for remembering one’s learning.
The Shem Olam (cited in sefer Ki Heim Chayeinu – Alei Siach, Yoreh Dei’ah 246:22) suggests that you learn in a beis midrash so you are not distracted by the children and other happenings in your house.
The sefer Nachalas Sadeh (Bo, p. 358) explains that learning in a beis midrash causes humility (i.e., you realize you are not the smartest) and thus, in this merit, it leads to better memory.
The Chasdei Hashem (Megillah, Ein Yaakov, p. 118) explains that the Shechinah resides in a beis midrash, so your learning will be enhanced by the Shechinah. In other words, you will be able to “tap into” the siyata diShmaya that comes with y’giah (toil) in learning.
The Sanz-Klausenberger Rebbe (Shefa Chayim, Vol. 24, p. 7) implies that the entire benefit of learning in a beis midrash is because it is learning in a group, such as with a chavrusa or as part of a chaburah/shiur. He writes that if everyone learns in his own private corner of the beis midrash by himself, there is no benefit to learning in a beis midrash. Accordingly, a chaburah in a private home is just as powerful as learning in a beis midrash.
IV. The Amazing Be’er Moshe
The Be’er Moshe (3:178) suggests a novel interpretation of the Shulchan Aruch, against the explanation of the Shach and Taz. The Shulchan Aruch specifically wrote beis k’neses, and not beis midrash, to teach that a person should learn in a beis k’neses because there are fewer people there. He will be able to learn there b’tzin’ah, like the next words of the Shulchan Aruch, which extols this virtue. The Be’er Moshe himself acknowledges that this is a novel interpretation of the Shulchan Aruch.
V. The Father of the Shlah
The father of the Shlah (cited in Gam Ani Odecha, Rav Duri, Vol. 3, p. 50) held that this Yerushalmi means that a shul should always have s’farim available so that people may learn during the time that the chazan is kvetching K’dushah or Kaddish. [Note: Many poskim disagree with this halachah.]
VI. Other Applications
There are some interesting questions asked about learning in a beis midrash. First, the Orchosecha Lamdeini (7:37) discusses whether it is permitted to bring a computer (with Internet access) into a beis midrash in order to write Torah notes. While not citing our particular Gemara, he permits it based on the importance of learning in a beis midrash.
Second, the Avnei Yashfe (Gam Ani Odecha, 24) queries whether there is a special inyan to be one of the first ten people in the beis midrash. He answers that no such idea exists, as this concept is limited to being one of the first in shul.
Rabbi Ephraim Glatt, Esq. is the Associate Rabbi at the Young Israel of Kew Gardens Hills, and he is a Partner at McGrail & Bensinger LLP, specializing in commercial litigation. Questions? Comments? Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..