Learning With A Chevrusa
by R. Ephraim Glatt, Esq.
Question: Must a person force himself to learn with a chevrusa even though he learns better by himself?
Short Answer: If a person learns better by himself, he may learn alone but should try to have at least one chevrusa each day.
Explanation:
I. The Source
The Gemara (B’rachos 63b) learns from the posuk “haskeis u’shma” that the Bnei Yisroel 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 chevrusa.
Interestingly, the sefer Hilchasa M’oraysa (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 chevrusa.
II. The Problem
The Gemara (B’rachos 6a) states that the shechina 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 chevrusa. For example, the Hilchasa M’oraysa explains that the Salmas Chaim explained that this was the rationale for the Vilna Gaon to learn by himself, as he could not find an equal. Similarly, the Hilchasa M’oraysa cites sources that R’ Ovadiah Yosef relied on this leniency as well. Second, the Iyun Yaakov answers that one may learn torah she’bichsav by oneself, as it does not need much explaining or pilpul.
Perhaps another answer can be based on the holding of the Biur Halachah (O”C 155) who notes that one who learns by himself gets a mitzvah, but it is not as good as learning with a chevrusa, 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 chevrusa.
The Hilchasa M’oraysa cites the Shlah who suggests that the only preference to learn with a chevrusa is for chazara. But, the first time one learns a new topic, he should learn it himself in order to get the basics. However, Hilchasa M’oraysa cites many acharonim who disagree – just the opposite, the first time one learns something, he should learn with a chevrusa to ensure it is learned correctly. Chazara, however, may certainly be done by oneself.
The Hilchasa M’oraysa cites the Yaavetz who distinguishes between eretz yisroel, where it is fine to learn by oneself because “avira machkim,” and chutz l’aretz, where one must learn with a chevrusa. However, R’ S.Z. Auerbach (Minchas Shlomo, Tenina, 100:5) questions such an answer from Rashi on Meseches Avos who brings a medrash that Achitofel yelled at Dovid for learning by himself even though they were in Eretz Yisroel. Hilchasa M’oraysa cites R’ Gamliel Rabinovich who answers that there is no question from Dovid, as “adam chashuv shaani,” and he should have learned with a chevrusa even in Eretz Yisroel.
Another answer is suggested by the Hilchasa M’oraysa based on Igros Moshe (O”C 5, 33:2) where R’ Moshe permits a bochur to learn by himself as long as he is in a Beis Medrash 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.
R’ Chaim Kanievsy (cited in Hilchasa M’oraysa) answers that as long as one has at least one chevrusa daily, it is sufficient. The Gemara frowning upon learning by oneself isonly discussing a person who NEVER learns with a chevrusa.
The Toras Chacham (cited in Hilchasa M’oraysa) 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 Hilchasa M’oraysa cites acharonim who wonder why this halachah is not cited in Rambam and Shulchan Aruch, particularly because the Rambam/Shulchan Aruch provide other guidance how to learn (i.e. in a Beis Medrash, out loud etc.). He cites the Pela Yoetz who answered that nowadays that we learn from seforim, this halacha does not apply anymore, as our seforim are our chavrusas. See also Teshuvos V’Hanhagos (1:542). Indeed, this was the explanation given by the Chazon Ish for why he learned by himself.
