Question:
If a person is able to focus better when he learns alone, what is the recommendation for him to do?
Answer:
Usually such a person needs to divide his time between learning alone and learning with a chavrusa or around other people. Each of these kinds of learns has its gains and drawbacks. Part of one’s time can be spent learning alone, and that is the time for one to make use of his power of focus. But when one only learns alone, the Gemara says that a sword should be put to his neck, for he is called an enemy of the Torah scholars, when he only learns alone. That is why a person also needs dibbuk chaveirim, to converse in Torah with others. There are people who are more focused when they learn with others, whereas other people are more focused when they learn alone. It depends on the particular soul makeup of the person. Each person needs to recognize his soul, in order to know how much time he needs to learn with others and how much time he needs to learn alone.
But generally, the advice is for one to divide his time between learning alone and learning with others. How much time for each? That is a more delicate question, and it is different with each person.
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