The United Synagogue

Introduction To Jewish Learning


"Vehigisa bo yomam valayla...
And you shall toil in it night and day..."


The study of Torah is one of the most important mitzvot of the Torah. As the great medieval legal codifier Maimonides records in his Book of Knowledge (1:8) “Every Jew is required to study Torah, whether poor or rich, healthy or ill, young or old and feeble. Even a beggar who goes from door to door, and a man who has a wife and children to support, must devote time to Torah day and night, for it is written: "You shall study it day and night"” (Joshua 1:8).
Thus in our mission statement we proclaim "Life-long Jewish learning" to be one of the core values of the United synagogue.

In this section of the website, we provide access to some of the most dynamic learning projects currently enriching British Jewish life including access to the United Synagogue publication Daf Hashavua distributed weekly throughout the country Covenant and Conversation from the Chief Rabbi.

"The one who tends the fig tree will eat the fruit"
Proverbs 27:18


Why is the Torah compared to a fig tree? Because the fruit of most trees, such as the olive, the vine and the date palm is gathered all at once, while the fruit of the fig tree is gathered little by little.
So it is with Torah. One who studies a little each day eventually learns much.
Midrash Bmidbar Raba Chapter 21

"Like drops of rain on the grass"
Deuteronomy 2:2


Just as the rain falls and causes the plants to grow, some red in colour, some green, some dark and some light, so do the words of Torah cause people to grow.
Some become wise, some become wholesome, some righteous, and some saintly."
Midrash Sifrei Dvarim Chapter 206