Importance of learning Torah at night

Importance of learning Torah at night:[1]

It is a Biblical Mitzvah and command to learn Torah both by day and night.[2] Furthermore, one must be careful in his Torah study at night even more than during the day, and one who is not careful in this, his punishment is great.[3]

Fire consumes:[4] Any home from which words of Torah are not heard from at night, a flame consumes it.

Summer versus winter nights:[5] Even during the [short] nights of Tekufas Tamuz [the summer] one is to learn for some part of the night [and sleep the rest[6]].[7] Starting from the 15^th of Av [when the nights become longer], one is to increase little by little the amount of Torah he learns [at night]. However, one who does not add in Torah, will have his days shortened.^[8]

Acquiring wisdom:[9] Although it is a Mitzvah to learn Torah both by day and night, most of one’s wisdom is attained specifically through learning Torah at night. [This is due to several factors: 1) At night one is able to learn Torah in tranquility without disturbances. 2) At night, there is a special Segula that the quality of one’s attachment to Hashem through learning Torah is greater than the quality of attachment experienced during the day’s learning.^[10]]   

Meriting Keser Torah:[11] One who desires to merit the level of Keser Torah, must be careful [to learn Torah] on all of his nights, and is not to lose even one of them in sleeping, eating, drinking and talking and the like, and is rather to study Torah. [Meriting Keser Torah refers to meriting Dveikus with Hashem through one’s learning.]

Meriting the song of Torah:[12] The Sages[13] taught that the [spiritual effect of the] song of Torah is applicable only at night.[14]

Meriting Chut Shel Chesed:[15] Whoever learns Torah at night a “string of kindness” is drawn upon him that day.[16]

Called Eved Hashem:[17] One who learns Torah at night is called a servant of G-d.^[18]

Time of appeasement above and merits the Shechina:[19] Anyone who learns Torah at night merits the Shechinah to reside opposite him.[20]

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[1] Based on Admur Hilchos Talmud Torah 4:8; Basra 1:3; 155:1; Michaber O.C. 237:1; Y.D. 246:23-24

[2] Admur ibid 4:6; 3:4; 155:1; Tur 246; Rambam 3:13

The reason: As the verse states “Vehigisa Bo Yomam Valayla.” [Admur ibid]

[3] Michaber 237:1; Eiruvin 18b

[4] Admur ibid; Michaber 246:24; Rambam ibid; Sanhedrin 92a

[5] Admur ibid

[6] Shach 246:25; See M”A 238

[7] Admur ibid; Shach 246:25; Perisha 246:52

[8] Admur ibid; Rama 246:23; Taanis 31a; Bava Basra 121a-b; Shach 246:26; See Michaber 238:1 “greatly punished”; Likkutei Sichos 35 p. 41

[9] Admur ibid; Rama 246:23; Tur ibid; Rambam ibid

[10] Likkutei Sichos 34 p. 43

[11] Admur ibid; Michaber 246:23; Rambam ibid; Reish Lakish Eiruvin 65a; See Likkutei Sichos 34 p. 43

[12] Admur ibid

[13] Shemos Raba 47:5; Vayikra Raba 19:1; Rambam ibid; Tur ibid

[14] The reason: As the verse [Eicha 2:19] states “Kumi Runi Balayala/Get up and praise me at night.” [Admur ibid]

[15] Admur ibid; Basra 1:3; Chagiga 12b; Avoda Zara 3b; Rambam ibid

[16] The reason: As the verse [Tehillim 42:9] states “Yomam Yetzaveh Hashem Chasdo Ubalayla Shira Imi.” [Admur Basra ibid]

[17] Basra 1:3; Zohar 1 136; 3:13

^[18] The reason: As the verse [Tehillim 134:1] states “Kol Avdei Hashem Haomdim Biveis Hashem Baleilos.” [Admur Basra ibid]

[19] Basra 1:3; Tamid 32b

[20] The reason: As the verse [Eicha 2:19] states “Kumi Runi Balayala Lerosh Ashmuros Shifchi Kamayim Libeich Nocach Pnei Hashem/Get up and praise me at night, pour your heart opposite my countenance.” This means to say that the Shechina is resting by him. [Admur ibid]