There are many beautiful daily Torah programs, including Daf Yomi, Mishnah Yomi, Tehillim Yomi, and Nach Yomi, among others. There is also a daily learning of the Rambam’s Mishnah Torah Yomi.
The Mishneh Torah was and is a monumental work. In the Mishneh Torah, the Rambam codified [in the 13th century] the laws of every section of Torah, including halachos that will only again apply when the Mashiach comes and the Beis HaMikdash is rebuilt. (Contrast that with the Shulchan Aruch, which only includes laws that apply today, in exile.)
Rambam Yomi was initiated by the Lubavitcher Rebbe in 1984. There are actually two cycles of Rambam Yomi. Some learn three chapters of Mishnah Torah daily and complete the entire 14-volume work each year. Others learn one chapter of Mishneh Torah daily and complete it every three years.
When the most recent cycle of one chapter of Rambam Yomi began, I was inspired to begin. It has been a gratifying experience, and, thus far, Hashem has helped me stay up to date.
Recently, the one-chapter cycle of Mishneh Torah concluded Sefer Z’ra’im (about laws of agriculture) and began Sefer Avodah about the structure of the Beis HaMikdash and the korbanos.
Rav Chaim Kanievsky zt”l wrote a monumental four-volume commentary on the Rambam’s Sefer Z’ra’im, entitled Derech Emunah. It is structured and appears like the Mishnah B’rurah, except that instead of the Shulchan Aruch printed on top of the page, the words of the Rambam appear at the top of the page. The remaining various commentaries below were all written by Rav Chaim. It is a masterful and unprecedented work that could only have been produced by someone with an encyclopedic knowledge of all the relevant halachic opinions and laws.
Rav Chaim published a thin volume entitled Derech Chochmah on the Rambam’s next section, Avodah. However, he never had the chance to complete it. When asked why he never published subsequent volumes, Rav Chaim replied that he was too busy responding to individual letters sent to him.
It’s well known that Rav Chaim was sent letters with questions regarding all facets of halachah, hashkafah, and general life advice. Rav Chaim would even occasionally receive written questions from young boys regarding a simple reading of a pasuk in Chumash. Yet, Rav Chaim was insistent on replying to every question, even those that could be answered by less prestigious personages than him.
Replying to the scores of letters sent to him daily sapped a great deal of time and energy. Because of that, Rav Chaim did not have the time to publish the remainder of his commentary on the Rambam.
Rav Chaim was asked why he prioritized sending written responses to every inquiry over writing a sefer that could benefit the Jewish people for many future generations. Rav Chaim replied that his first and foremost responsibility is to his generation. It’s possible that a commentary of that caliber on the remaining portions of the Rambam will never be produced. Still, Rav Chaim felt that replying even to the Chumash question of an eight-year-old boy takes precedence.
Life throws a lot at us, and one must be able to prioritize in order to stay afloat. If one tries to do everything, he will likely end up doing nothing well.
A few years ago, before going to visit Eretz Yisrael, a rebbi of mine gave me a piece of advice. He explained that one can spend a whole visit to Eretz Yisrael engaged in wonderful things, yet not learn a word of Torah. He cautioned me that if I wanted to ensure that I not be derelict in my personal Torah learning while there, I had to prioritize it. Davening at k’varim, meeting and receiving brachos from tzadikim, and seeing our heritage come to life visiting the land, are beautiful and invaluable experiences. But one must ensure that he does not disregard his most important daily responsibilities, as well.
This is a vital concept regarding parenting, as well. There are numerous beautiful and necessary opportunities to help am Yisrael. But one must always prioritize and balance his first and foremost obligation to his own family within his own home. At times, we are genuinely unsure what our priority should be, and for that we need to have rebbeim and mentors who can help guide us in those situations.
During the last few months, I’ve learned the Rambam Yomi with Rav Chaim’s brilliant commentary, and it has helped me greatly. I will definitely miss it when the daily cycle extends beyond the final volume that Rav Chaim published. But whenever I miss it, it will remind me of the important lesson Rav Chaim taught about knowing one’s priorities.
Rabbi Dani Staum, LMSW, a rebbe at Heichal HaTorah in Teaneck, New Jersey, is a parenting consultant and maintains a private practice for adolescents and adults. He is also a member of the administration of Camp Dora Golding for over two decades. Rabbi Staum was a community rabbi for ten years, and has been involved in education as a principal, guidance counselor, and teacher in various yeshivos. Rabbi Staum is a noted author and sought-after lecturer, with hundreds of lectures posted on torahanytime.com. He has published articles and books about education, parenting, and Torah living in contemporary society. Rabbi Staum can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. His website containing archives of his writings is www.stamTorah.info.
