Parshas Bereishis 5786
- Torah Tavlin
- Oct 17
- 2 min read
Monetary, Interpersonal Laws and Din Torah (49)
Shnayim Mikrah V'Echad Targum. The Gemara (1) states: “A person should always complete the parsha with the congregation (by learning) shnayim mikra v’echad targum. One who does this will have long days and years.” Learning the text of the weekly parsha twice with the “Targum” is a segula for long life. According to the Tur and Shulchan Aruch (2), “Targum” means learning the parsha with Rashi, which is the best commentary to unlock the basic understanding of the Chumash (3). Others maintain that the halacha is referring to Targum Onkelus, as the Gemara (4) states that this translation of the Torah was actually given to us by Moshe Rabbeinu. RM”A (5) held that Targum Onkelus is like reading from the Torah itself! Accordingly, by reading the parsha with its original targum, we are in fact, presenting the Torah in the same manner as it was given at Har Sinai. The Mechaber (6) cites both opinions and rules that one can do either one, however, he says it is preferable to do both, Targum Onkelus and Rashi, as that way one can satisfy both interpretations.
When to Start. The proper time to fulfill this mitzvah (7) is from the Sunday of the week when a given parsha is read, over the course of the whole week and preferably finishing before the Shabbos day meal (8). If one has not yet done so, then he has “until Mincha” to finish. Some say this refers to one’s personal Mincha, meaning that a person can finish the mitzvah of shnayim mikra until he himself actually davens Mincha (9). Others say that the intent was until the time of Mincha Gedolah, the earliest time that one may daven Mincha (10). A third approach is that it refers to the time when Mincha is davened in the local shul (11). There does not seem to be any clear-cut consensus on this issue.
Proper Order. How should one do shnayim mikra: posuk by posuk, section by section, or parsha by parsha? There does not seem to be a clear consensus The Mishna Berura’s (12) advice is to use the Vilna Gaon’s method of learning a small part every day right after Shachris (i.e. on Sunday up to Sheini; on Monday up to Shlishi, etc.). By following this technique one will have finished this mitzvah by Shabbos, every week.
(1) ברכות ח. (2) (3) או"ח רפה:ב (4) מגילה ג. (5) שו"ת רמ"א קכז-קל (6) או"ח רפה:ב (7) שם:ג,ד (8) חיי אדם הל' שבת ז:ט, שו"ע הרב או"ח רפה:ה, ערה"ש שם, מ"ב שם:ט (9) הליכות שלמה הל' תפילה יב:לה, הגר"ח קניבסקי מובא בהליכות חיים ח"א עמ' צה, קעח (01) שמירת שבת כהלכתה ב:מב (11) קצות השלחן עב, בדי השלחן ז' (21) מ"ב רפה:ח