Question: Must a person force himself to learn with a chavrusa even though he learns better by himself?
Short Answer: If a person learns better by himself, he may learn alone, but he should try to have at least one chavrusa each day.
I. The Source
The Gemara (B’rachos 63b) learns from the pasuk “haskeis u’shma” that the B’nei Yisrael broke off into groups to learn the Torah. The Gemara then discusses the detriments of a person learning Torah by himself, as opposed to with a chavrusa or in a group. Similarly, the Gemara (Taanis 7a) extols the virtues of learning with a chavrusa.
Interestingly, the sefer Hilchesa MeiOraisa (Parshas Ki Savo, siman 50) cites Acharonim who suggest that the Torah was given in Sivan, which is the constellation of twins, to highlight that the Torah must be learned with a chavrusa.
II. The Problem
The Gemara (B’rachos 6a) states that the Shechinah joins even one person who is learning by himself. This implies that it is not a negative to learn by oneself. So asks the Iyun Yaakov (B’rachos).
He provides two answers. First, it is noble to learn by oneself if you cannot learn with a chavrusa. For example, the Hilchesa MeiOraisa explains that the Salmas Chayim said that this was the rationale for the Vilna Gaon to learn by himself, as he could not find an equal. Similarly, the Hilchesa MeiOraisa cites sources that Rav Ovadiah Yosef relied on this leniency as well. Second, the Iyun Yaakov answers that one may learn Torah SheBichsav by oneself, as it does not need much explaining or pilpul.
Perhaps another answer can be based on the holding of the Biur Halachah (Orach Chayim 155), who notes that one who learns by himself gets a mitzvah, but it is not as good as learning with a chavrusa, where the Torah will be learned out loud. Thus, perhaps, this author suggests, if one learns out loud by himself, it is just as great as learning with a chavrusa.
The Hilchesa MeiOraisa cites the Sh’lah who suggests that the only preference to learn with a chavrusa is for chazarah. But the first time one learns a new topic, he should learn it himself in order to get the basics. However, Hilchesa MeiOraisa cites many Acharonim who disagree. Just the opposite: The first time one learns something, he should learn with a chavrusa to ensure it is learned correctly. Chazarah, however, may certainly be done by oneself.
The Hilchesa MeiOraisa cites the Yaavetz who distinguishes between Eretz Yisrael, where it is fine to learn by oneself because “avira machkim,” and chutz laAretz, where one must learn with a chavrusa. However, Rav Shlomo Zalman Auerbach (Minchas Shlomo, Tenina 100:5) questions such an answer from Rashi on Maseches Avos, who brings a midrash that Achisofel yelled at David HaMelech for learning by himself even though they were in Eretz Yisrael. Hilchesa MeiOraisa cites Rav Gamliel Rabinovich who answers that there is no question from David, as “adam chashuv sha’ani,” and he should have learned with a chavrusa even in Eretz Yisrael.
Another answer is suggested by the Hilchesa MeiOraisa based on the Igros Moshe (Orach Chayim 5, 33:2), where Rav Moshe permits a bachur to learn by himself as long as he is in a beis midrash where he can ask questions to others. Thus, perhaps it is only frowned upon to learn by yourself in a place where there are no others.
Rav Chaim Kanievsky (cited in Hilchesa MeiOraisa) answers that as long as one has at least one chavrusa daily, it is sufficient. The Gemara frowning upon learning by oneself is only discussing a person who never learns with a chavrusa.
The Toras Chacham (cited in Hilchesa MeiOraisa) answers that one may learn by himself if he plans on disseminating the Torah, either by giving a shiur or by writing up his learning. Since the learning will be verified and reviewed by others, it is not a problem to prepare the Torah by yourself.
III. Practically?
The Hilchesa MeiOraisa cites Acharonim who wonder why this halachah is not cited in the Rambam and the Shulchan Aruch, particularly because the Rambam/Shulchan Aruch provide other guidance on how to learn (i.e., in a beis midrash, out loud, etc.). He cites the Pele Yo’eitz who answered that nowadays that we learn from s’farim, this halachah does not apply anymore, as our s’farim are our chavrusos. See also T’shuvos V’Hanhagos (1:542). Indeed, this was the explanation given by the Chazon Ish for why he learned by himself.
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..
