6534 —לימוד חומש וחוק לישראל בלילה בימי החורף

B"H, 29 Tishrei, 5719. Brooklyn.

Shalom u'Vrachah!

After the longest break, your letter was received on Erev Shabbat Kodesh. In your question: during the short days of winter, due to being busy at work, you are unsure if you will manage to learn the daily portions of Chumash and Chok LeYisrael during the day, and you ask if you may learn them at night.

I have not heard an explicit directive on this matter. What seems correct to me is that regarding the Tehillim portion—if one knows the chapters by heart—it may be said after midnight or before nightfall (tzeit haKochavim), but not from tzeit haKochavim until midnight. As for the daily portions of Chumash and Chok LeYisrael, they can be learned not all at once but divided section by section throughout the day; obviously, this can even be done in a store. If even for this there is no time available, then learn them with commentary on each verse—since in pressing circumstances it can be explained that this is included in Torah Sheba'al Peh (the Oral Torah), especially as in our times many are lenient regarding learning Mikra (Scripture) at night, even though this is mentioned in several books... If you learn it at night: see also above Vol. 5 Letter 1452 and what is cited there in the notes.

Summary

The Rebbe guides that when daytime study is not possible due to work during winter's short days, one may divide learning throughout the day or rely on leniencies to study with commentary at night if necessary.