Editing Memorization (Shinun BaAl Peh) (section)

== Learning by Heart ==
Memorization by heart is a method of reviewing learned or read material from memory alone and not from a book. Memorization by heart usually has two purposes: '''Learning method''', through memorization the learned subject is absorbed in the mind of the one who memorizes and becomes more understood and clear. '''Memory method''', the subject is engraved with its words, even if it is not understood.

The method of memorization by heart is an ancient method that predates the Torah learning method of our days. Before the time of writing the Mishnah, books and scrolls were not commonly available (except for the written Torah texts - namely the Chumashim) because of the prohibition against writing the Oral Torah, which is learned in the Gemara from the verse "Write for yourself these words." 'Oral matters you are not permitted to say in writing.' Therefore, students needed to remember the words of their teachers and the halachot by heart and not from any written text.

Nevertheless, even today when all books are printed and there is no need to memorize them by heart, there is great importance to memorizing words of Torah - as follows.

About our Rebbeim, many stories are told in Chassidic tradition about how they trained their sons and grandsons to memorize Mishnayot by heart, but they refrained from encouraging the daughters, implying that the main learning by heart is intended specifically for boys.

In the instructions of Rav Chodakov regarding the memorization of Mishnayot by heart, he instructed to learn by heart the Mishnayot studied in Gemara, as this would also assist in the study of Gemara.

==== Memorization of Written Torah by Heart ====
Despite the prohibition "written matters you are not permitted to say by heart," which includes all matters in the Written Torah, our Rebbeim instructed to indeed learn and memorize by heart, but not to repeat and express them in speech.