The mitzvah
Learning Torah is one of the central mitzvot — for every Jew, at every level. It means studying the Torah and its teachings: the weekly portion, the Talmud, Jewish law, Tanya, and more. A fixed daily time matters more than a long one.
The sources
“This book of the Torah shall not depart from your mouth; you shall study it day and night.”
“Make your Torah study a fixed practice.”
Every Jew is obligated to study Torah — rich or poor, young or old.
What you need
- A fixed time
- One text to start with (suggestions below)
- Free online: Sefaria.org (texts in English) or Chabad.org
Step by step
- Say the morning blessing over Torah study once a day, before you learn.
- Pick one time: with coffee, on the commute, at lunch, or before bed.
- Pick one track: the weekly Torah portion with Rashi; one chapter of Tanya; one law from the Rambam; one psalm.
- Learn for 5–10 minutes. Small and daily beats long and rare.
- If you can, learn with a partner (a chavruta) — even by phone once a week.
- Bring your questions to the Wednesday class.
What to say
English first, then the words to say out loud — sounded out so anyone can say them.
This page contains Hebrew prayer text with the Divine Name. If you print it, please treat it respectfully and dispose of it appropriately (in genizah).
Questions people ask
Where do I start?
The weekly Torah portion is the classic start. This week’s is on our Learn page.
Does reading in English count?
Yes. Learning Torah in any language you understand is learning Torah.
I missed a day.
Start again tomorrow. That’s the whole method.
Your family’s way
Sephardim say the blessing slightly differently (“al divrei Torah”). Many communities follow daily cycles: Daf Yomi (Talmud), Rambam, or Chitas (Chumash, Tehillim, Tanya).
The inner dimension
The Tanya teaches that when you understand a law of the Torah, your mind is united with Hashem’s wisdom in a unity like no other (Tanya, chapter 5).
Set a 10-minute alarm for tomorrow and read today’s teaching.
These are general guidelines. Customs differ between communities, and for a personal question, ask a rabbi you trust.