By Rabbi Yair Hoffman for the Five Towns Jewish Times

For the Refuah Shleimah of Boruch Zev Ben Bracha and Yerachmiel Ben Chana Goldy

In the post-Shavuos season where a number of people were enthused about renewing their commitment to Torah, some have asked: What should we be learning?

The Mishna Brurah (155:3) writes as follows: A person is obligated to learn Torah sh’b’ksav every day, as well as Mishnayos, Gemorah and the Poskim. He then states, “Baalei Batim people who work, who can only learn 3 or 4 hours in the day, should not just study Gemorah alone. For in this they are NOT YOTZEH. Rather, he must specifically also learn the works of the Poskim – each one according to his abilities.”

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This is based and referenced to the Shach in Yore Deah 246:5.

A few paragraphs later, the Chofetz Chaim adds that it is proper that a person’s essential learning be in matters of halacha so that he can know what to do practically.
This is not to say that he should not study Gemorah. Getting into Gemorah is a means in which one can help make Torah his way of life.

In the introduction to volume one of the Mishna Brurah, the Chofetz Chaim writes that even though one fulfills the positive Mitzvah of Talmud Torah in whatever area of Torah he learns – including Kodshim and Taharos, his essential learning should be in matters that apply most. The Chofetz Chaim writes that the Orech Chaim section is the section of Shulchan Aruch that is most applicable. All the other sections are necessary but first and foremost he should make Orech Chaim primary. Without Orech Chaim one can raise neither his hand nor his foot.

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