Therefore, my beloved ones, my brethren and friends: do not commit this great evil - [of turning a gathering of worshipers before or after prayers into a "company of scoffers]," and [54] "give glory unto the L-rd your G-d before it grows dark," i.e. between Minchah and Maariv every weekday, [55] by studying in groups of [at least] ten the innermost [i.e., the mystical] dimension of the Torah, i.e., the Aggadah contained in Ein Yaakov.

For most of the secrets of the Torah are concealed in it [i.e., in the Aggadah]; moreover, it atones man's sins, as explained in the writings of R. Isaac Luria, of blessed memory. [56]

As to the revealed [non-mystical] passages in [the Aggadah], these are the ways of G-d in which a man ought to walk, and [they enable him] to take counsel in his soul in heavenly matters [such as Torah and mitzvot] and in worldly matters, as is known to all the wise of heart.

In addition, between Minchah and Maariv, [people] should study a little - out of the Shulchan Aruch, in [the section called] Orach Chayim - the laws that are essential for every person to know.

Of this our Sages, of blessed memory, said: [57] "Whoever studies Torah laws [halachot] every day [is assured of life in the World to Come]."

This refers to clear and definitive rulings that are of practical relevance, as explained in the commentary of Rashi, ad loc. [58] - [that the term halachot refers to final rulings, without the surrounding debates and argumentation.

This is actually explained by Rashi a little earlier in Tractate Megillah, not on the teaching about "Whoever studies halachot...," but in connection with a eulogy for someone who used to "study halachot."

In Tractate Niddah, commenting on this teaching, Rashi states that the term halachot refers to Mishnayot, Beraitot and Halachah leMoshe miSinai, none of which include the discussions of the Gemara. This is also the case with regard to the Shulchan Aruch].

   

Notes:

54. (Back to text) Cf. Yirmeyahu 13:16.

55. (Back to text) Note of the Rebbe Shlita: "It could be suggested that the reason the Alter Rebbe does not begin by relating to Shacharit, the first prayer of the day, is that an explicit law in the Shulchan Aruch (sec. 89:4) forbids one to engage in one's personal affairs before prayer; likewise (sec. 155:1), the morning prayers must be followed by group study of the Torah (`from the House of Prayer [directly] to the House of Study')."

56. (Back to text) See the Alter Rebbe's Hilchot Talmud Torah 2:2 and sources cited there (in the Kehot edition); see also the Introduction of the Ramban to Shir HaShirim.

57. (Back to text) Megillah 28b; Niddah 73a.

58. (Back to text) See Taz, Yoreh Deah 246:2.