Unlocking the Secret to Remembering Torah Study: 13 Effective Tips

In his book "*Torat HaBayit*", the *Chafetz Chaim* explains that with every word of Torah studied, a Jew fulfills the mitzvah of learning Torah. According to his simple calculation, a Jew who studies Torah for just one hour earns 12,000 mitzvot!

Moreover, the entire world is sustained through Torah study. As Reb Chaim of Volozhin writes in his book *Nefesh HaChaim* (p. 227): "The undisputed truth is that if, heaven forbid, the entire world would be devoid of Torah study and contemplation for even a single moment, all the worlds, both higher and lower, would be utterly destroyed, becoming nothingness and void, heaven forbid."

How can one retain their Torah learning? Here are 13 tips to help you remember your Torah studies:

1. The Ultimate Tip - Study with Enthusiasm, Passion, and Joy

King David declares, "I rejoice in following your statutes as one rejoices in great riches... I delight in your decrees; I will not neglect your word" (Psalms 119).

The Radak explains: "When I reflect on them, I find delight in them. Therefore, I do not forget them, for they bring joy and happiness to my heart."

When learning is done joyfully, with pleasure, passion, and excitement, the words of Torah are not forgotten.

In *Pirkei Avot*, Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai praises his student, Rabbi Eliezer ben Hyrcanus, as "a sealed cistern that does not lose a drop." This praise was not about a natural memory ability, which is a divine gift, but rather his intense longing and admiration for Torah. Because of his passion for and involvement with Torah, he remembered every drop of his studies - this was his praiseworthiness.

The *Tiferet Yisrael* on *Pirkei Avot* (Chapter 6, Mishnah 6) noted: "By studying joyfully, the words are firmly instilled in his heart."

Learning motivated by genuine desire, delight, and vitality aids in remembering what is studied.

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When a person encounters something that emotionally moves them, the brain identifies this information as important and crucial, storing it in long-term memory.

Rabbi Yaakov Yisrael Kanievsky, zt"l, writes in his book *Birkat Peretz* (Parashat Lech Lecha): "It is known that what makes a significant impression of joy remains with a person for a long time, as it becomes deeply engrained in their memory. However, something lacking desire and without bringing joy does not leave a deep impression, and is quickly forgotten... Therefore, the memory of one's study correlates with the intensity of one's desire and effort to attain Torah, and the joy it brings - that determines the retention of what was learned."

The ultimate advice written by the *Ya'avetz* in his explanation on attaining memory in the Talmud is to study with the joy of a mitzvah. He writes: "Now I add one point surpassing all others, which is to study with the joy of the mitzvah, recognizing its value beyond pearls and all desires incomparable to it; one's soul should become inflamed with love of Torah, etc., and it will not be forgotten due to the love and joy associated with it. This is studying Torah for its own sake. The holy Ari attested that through the joy he had in engaging with Torah, he achieved great spiritual insights and *Ruach HaKodesh*" (Birkat Migdal Oz, Neveh Chacham, Chapter 22).

2. Appreciate and Esteem the Torah's Teachings

If one studies without believing in the genuine importance and necessity of what they learn, they will easily forget it, similar to the often forgotten secular studies after school exams. A student learns only to get a good grade, not valuing the content itself, hence they quickly forget the material post-exam. In contrast, when one studies something deemed meaningful and valuable to life itself, they are more likely to remember it for a long time.

The *Malbim* writes in his commentary on Psalms, "I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word" (Psalms 119:16) - "I will not forget your word: They will not become to me as things without reason that are forgotten, but will be valued and important in my eyes, so they are always remembered."

Watch a brief message from Rabbi Zamir Cohen on the profound power of Torah study:

3. Study Torah for the Sake of Heaven

When Torah is learned with pure intention to do Hashem's will, who desires Torah study, and with the aim of connecting and adhering to Hashem - then one receives heavenly assistance in their studies. This form of learning sanctifies the study and brings holiness upon the learner (from *Chafetz Chaim's* book "*Shem Olam*", Part II, Chapter 5).

4. Verbalize the Study Out Loud

Speaking the study aloud incorporates both visual and auditory pathways in embedding the material, enhancing retention.

This advice can be gleaned from the verse in Psalm 119 by King David: "I recount all the laws that came from your mouth with my lips" (based on Rabbi Yitzchak Chaim Bukowsi zt"l - "*Lechem L'fi HaTaf*").

The Gemara provides verses from Proverbs regarding the importance of verbalizing the study: "For they are life to those who find them" (Proverbs 4:22) - do not read 'those who find them,' but 'those who articulate them with their mouth.'

And, "For it will be pleasant if you keep them in your belly; let them all be fixed on your lips" (Proverbs 22:18). When are the words of Torah pleasant? When you keep them in your belly and know them. And when will they be kept in your belly? When they are fixed on your lips and you speak aloud and preach" (Talmud *Eruvin*, page 54).

5. Chant the Study

Rather than dry, monotonous recitation, imbue the words with a melody that brings the words to life.

The melody and singing of the study bring the study itself to life and thereby improve retention of that learned material (from *Tosafot* on *Megillah*, page 32, a1).

6. Clarity in the Material

If the studied material is not well understood, memory storage does not occur efficiently, leading to forgetfulness. It's important, therefore, to clarify the studied content to make it understandable, clear, and orderly. This way, the material will be best stored in our minds.

A passage that is still unclear should be noted and marked for clarification later.

Rabbi Elyashiv zt"l used to summarize orally every lesson immediately after learning it to achieve perfect clarity in the learning.

7. Write Short Summaries of Key Points

Writing concise or brief notes on the key points of the learned material helps structure and clarify the content, assisting memory.

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8. Review Oral Study Through Verbal Recitation

The Gemara states about one who learns Torah but does not review it: "Rabbi Yehoshua ben Korcha says, anyone who learns Torah but does not review it is like someone who plants but does not harvest" (Talmud *Sanhedrin*, page 99).

Rabbi Ovadia Yosef, zt"l, on the importance of review and repetition in study: "Diligence and perseverance guarantee that a person retains what they've learned; without it, they cannot remember. It is crucial that one remembers what they learn. As I've said, forgetting is like a woman who gives birth and buries - better she hadn't given birth. But through review - 'one who understands matters personally finds good.' One who doesn't review, is questioned: Why didn't you practice? Why didn't you repeat? - this should be our approach to learning the Talmud and codifiers" (from the book "*Ma'adani HaMelech*").

The Torah commands us with "Veshinantam" ("and you shall teach them diligently to your children"), implying both learning and teaching Torah. "Veshinantam" has two meanings: one, repetition, and the other is taught in the Gemara: "Veshinantam - they should be sharp in your mouth that if someone asks you, you won't stammer, but instead can respond immediately" (Talmud *Kiddushin*, page 30).

In other words, repeated learning ensures the material is well-organized and accessible in our consciousness.

Moreover, reviewing should be done not through repeated reading, but through oral recitation. Reading merely embeds the material, while oral recitation creates pathways for retrieval from long-term memory into conscious awareness where the information is accessible.

Oral review is a method that leads to the material being easily retrieved into consciousness after being embedded.

Additionally, avoid immediately glancing at the written text if something is forgotten, as the brain categorizes unrecallable information as non-essential. When there is a cognitive effort to reconstruct the material, the brain understands it as important, ensuring its storage in long-term memory. Furthermore, the mental effort in reconstructing memory enhances memory capability in a person's brain.

What would your life look like if you studied Torah every day? Watch Rabbi Zamir Cohen's answer:

9. Awe of Heaven is a Segula for Memory

The advice of the *Chazon Ish* to a young man seeking guidance in remembering Torah study was: "Awe of Heaven is a segula (merit) for memory" (from the book of Rabbi Chaim Brim, zt"l - "*Marbeh Chaim*", Mo'adim, p. 227).

Furthermore, it is clarified in "*Pirkei Moshe*" on the Mishnah in Avot: "Rabbi Chanina ben Dosa says: If one's fear of sin precedes his wisdom, his wisdom endures" (*Pirkei Avot*, Chapter 3, Mishnah 9) - as a Jew with a fear of sin will make every effort to learn the details and laws of the wisdom of Torah to avoid sinning. Illumination by fear of sin will push him towards diligence in learning, leading to knowledge of Torah wisdom.

In addition, Rashi writes that awe of Heaven causes the Torah study to be stored and preserved within the person, and here is his language: "Fear of Hashem is his treasure - it's the main thing in his eyes to cherish and as 'a segula for memory'" (Rashi in Tractate Shabbat, page 31).

10. Learn with Humility and Avoid Anger

While studying Torah, a person should feel their insignificance compared to Torah's eternal and boundless wisdom.
The *Meiri*, one of the great commentators of the Talmud, wrote about the trait of pride - "The Torah does not mix with it in one vessel" (Tractate Ta'anit 7).

Similarly, one should distance themselves from anger, about which the Gemara states: "Anyone who gets angry loses their wisdom" (Tractate Pesachim, page 66).

11. Avoid Distractions During Study

To fully concentrate on studying, one must be settled and avoid disturbances; otherwise, the study will lack quality. Distraction disrupts both the study itself and optimizes memory function.

Conversely, focus helps instill what is learned into long-term memory.

An example of distraction during study is the cell phone, which diverts the student's attention and reduces the study's quality. Even when the phone is on vibrate, signaling a call or message, it prevents complete immersion in the study.

During study, strive to disconnect from the surroundings and learn with calm and concentration.

12. Understand the Reason and Purpose Behind Teachings

When the form of study is from a superficial perspective and not deep enough, learners are not fully connected to the material. In contrast, when concepts are learned in depth and the root, reason, and purpose of each idea are comprehended, the material settles and is engraved.

13. Pray to Hashem for Help in Remembering Torah Study

King David prayed to Hashem and asked: "Sustain me and I will be saved" (Psalms 119:117), and the Sifrei explains that King David's prayer was: "So that I should not learn Torah and forget."

The *Chazon Ish* wrote: "Pray in any language, provided it comes from the heart. A particular focus in prayer should be the holy texts on directing intention to 'Ahavat Olam' (a prayer), especially at the words 'and give in our hearts understanding to comprehend, to discern, to listen, to learn and to teach, to observe and to perform and to fulfill.'"

It is known about many Torah sages that they would cry like a stream while saying this prayer. Intent in this is very conducive to understanding Torah and remembering the study.

In the *Responsa Shevet HaLevi* (Part II, Siman 57) it is written: - The main advice to avoid natural forgetfulness is to pour out prayers and tears in 'Illumine our eyes in Your Torah' and also secretly shed tears that the Holy One will illuminate one's eyes with the light of Torah" (Collection of Letters).

Learning Torah at an older age? It's never too late. Watch this powerful message from Rabbi Zamir Cohen:

Read here Rabbi Zamir Cohen's words on the significance of even one minute of Torah study.