Halachot and Customs

Is It Permissible to Learn Torah at Night?

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Question

Hello, I would like to clarify whether it is permissible to learn Torah at night, and if so, from what hours and what types of study, as I understand that this is a time for harmful forces. Thank you very much.

Answer

Hello and blessings

It is a mitzvah to learn Torah at night, as the Rambam wrote in Hilchot Talmud Torah, Chapter 3

Halacha 13
Although it is a mitzvah to learn during the day and at night, a person does not learn most of his wisdom except at night. Therefore, whoever wishes to merit the crown of Torah should be careful every night and not lose even one of them to sleep, eating, drinking, conversation, or anything else, except for the study of Torah and matters of wisdom. The sages said, "There is no joy of Torah except at night," as it is said, "Arise and sing at night." And whoever engages in Torah at night, a thread of kindness is extended to him during the day, as it is said, "By day Hashem commands His kindness and at night His song is with me, a prayer to the living God." Any house where the words of Torah are not heard at night is consumed by fire, as it is said, "All darkness is hidden to its treasures; fire consumes it, as Hashem has spoken in this matter, that he did not pay attention to the words of Torah at all," etc.

Our esteemed Kabbalists warned to learn only oral Torah—Gemara, halachot, etc.—and not to learn written Torah—the Tanach—at night until midnight, and they brought support for this from the teachings of the Midrash Yalkut Shimoni, Psalms, Remez 246

And from where did Moses know when it was day and when it was night? He counted forty days and forty nights. Rabbi Abdimmi said that when Hashem taught him Scripture, he knew it was day, and when He taught him Mishnah, he knew it was night.

With blessings,

Benjamin Shmueli


Tags:Torah learningHalacha

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