Because the yetzer hara knows learning is so important, he makes it hard for many people to learn. He makes them not feel comfortable with learning. They struggle to get themselves to learn, and even when they do learn, they just don’t feel connected. They don’t enjoy learning, and it feels like a chore. Although they know learning is important and they desperately want to succeed in it, it’s so difficult for them to learn and they don’t feel they are getting anywhere.
If you face this challenge, you must know that your learning is incredibly precious. The difficulty and discomfort makes your Torah study hundreds of times more valuable than it would have been had it been easy. Hashem is immensely proud of whatever learning you can muster. It’s worth much more than learning all day without difficulty.
Still, it is so frustrating to learn and get no excitement from it. If you struggle with this, you would do well to try some ideas that have helped others get into learning and taste its sweetness.
First, set up a program that makes it easier for you to succeed in learning. It is so hard for a person to get himself to learn if he doesn’t have a shiur or chavrusa and a set time for learning. For most people, learning under such circumstances is very difficult, and each minute feels like eternity. You must find the system that works best for you, be it a chavrusa or a shiur that you can actively follow and participate in. The right schedule and program makes learning much easier and more enjoyable than learning alone without a schedule (Rabbi Shafier, Shmuz 90: “Torah Lishmah,” www.TheShmuz.com).
Finding the right chavrusa is often the difference between success and failure. Do whatever it takes to get the right person to learn with you. Don’t worry about being pushy, and don’t be afraid to pester your Rebbe every day until it is handled. And if anyone tells you that you don’t deserve a good chavrusa, he’s wrong. Don’t let him stop you.
Second, remember that learning is much sweeter when you feel successful. You must do whatever you can to feel that you are accomplishing and succeeding with your learning.
Getting stuck too often is frustrating and destroys your enjoyment. Improving your Gemara reading skills will help you immensely. Good reading skills come from experience. If yours are weak, find someone to learn with who will let you read and can help you when you need it. Depending on your background in learning, you might also need someone to teach you some basics to get you started. Additionally, you should try punctuating your Gemara and especially the Tosafos because it will help you see where each step starts and ends and what words generally signify new steps. Punctuating your Gemara will help your reading rapidly improve.