6249 —לימוד תורה עקבי וקביעת עתים לחסידות

Greetings and blessings! In response to your letter from the 5th of Iyar, in which you write that you have joined Tzeirei Chabad and sometimes study Chassidus and listen to talks. However, it is obvious that this is not the proper way to study our holy Torah in any of its parts—that the learning should be only occasional (see Jerusalem Talmud at the end of Berachos: "One who makes his Torah study occasional..."), meaning as if one studies something that happens by chance. Consequently, such involvement is questionable. Not only does this affect the study of this part of Torah, but it also impacts learning and success in all other areas of Torah, as our Sages ruled: "Anyone who says this teaching is pleasant and this one is not..." (Eruvin 64a)—even if he admits both are teachings just like the first one, and therefore are understood to be the word of Hashem, but for him it is not pleasant or fitting (see there for more on this point).

I hope that at least from now on you will set a fixed time for studying Chassidus as well. This follows the instruction of our master the Alter Rebbe (the legal authority in the hidden aspects of Torah) and Shulchan Aruch (the legal authority in revealed Torah): setting fixed times—not only in schedule but primarily in one's soul. Through this, there will be an increase not only regarding Chassidus but also regarding the study of Nigleh (the revealed part of Torah).

Regarding what you wrote about your future studies: you should present the details before three of your friends, and Hashem will give them the right idea on how to advise you.

You surely know about the three well-known daily study cycles—Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya—and at least from now on you should keep them.

Blessings for good news in all mentioned above,
In the name of His Honor the Rebbe Shlita,
Secretary

Summary

Torah study must be regular and consistent; making it occasional weakens its impact. Setting fixed times—especially for Chassidus—strengthens all areas of learning. Consulting friends about one's learning path brings clarity. Daily cycles like Chumash, Tehillim, and Tanya are essential.