Chok LiYisroel is a daily study program of short selections from all the main areas of Torah: Torah, Prophets, Writings, Mishna, Gemara, Zohar, Halacha and Mussar.
It gives a person a practical way to study these areas regularly, in an established order, instead of leaving whole parts of Torah out of the daily routine. The portions are gathered together, so you can open the day’s reading and begin.
According to the kabalists, this order of learning may be necessary for the intended spiritual path and is certainly beneficial: beginning with Torah, then proceeding through the prescribed stages. AJEW provides the corresponding kavanos—the spiritual intentions for this learning—at every stage of that path.
What do you learn?
- Torah. the Five Books of the Written Torah, with the daily verses drawn from the weekly portion.
- Prophets and Writings. further selections from the books of Scripture.
- Mishna. the foundational teachings of the Oral Torah.
- Gemara. the Talmud’s discussion and explanation of the Oral Torah.
- Zohar. the inner teachings of Torah.
- Halacha. practical Torah law.
- Mussar. guidance for refining our character and conduct.
The daily order begins with Scripture, continues through Mishna and Gemara to the Zohar, and includes practical law and moral instruction. This gives breadth to a person’s learning: the text of Torah, its explanation, its inner teachings, and how to live by it.
An established order of study
The learning tradition behind the Chok is rooted in the teachings of the Arizal, transmitted by Rabbi Chaim Vital. In this kabalistic path, Scripture comes first—Torah, Prophets and Writings—followed by Mishna, Gemara and Kabbalah, represented here by the Zohar. The progression is intended as an ascent through spiritual levels, not simply a collection of unrelated subjects.
The kavanos belong to that progression. On AJEW, you can open the intentions for each stage beside the relevant section as you move through the day’s learning. Prayers are offered separately, so the prayers and the kavanos retain their distinct places.
The printed Chok gathers the readings into a daily regimen; the Chida’s Yosef LeChok adds selections of law and Mussar.
Now on AJEW: the text, the help, and room to read
AJEW presents the Chok in a warm, clear layout, with readable Hebrew, English alongside the readings, and additional layers that you can open as needed. The Noach readings shown here illustrate how it works.
- A clear daily sequence. move through Torah, Prophets, Writings, Mishna, Gemara, Zohar, Halacha and Mussar in order.
- Language choices. choose Hebrew with English, Hebrew, English with the original, or untouched original text.
- Verse-by-verse Torah study. each Torah verse has its own English beside it, followed by its labelled Aramaic Onkelos. Translations of Onkelos are separate and begin closed.
- Clearly separated commentary. Rashi and other study layers have their own labels and panels, rather than being mixed into the source text.
- Kavanos at every stage. open the corresponding traditional study intentions as you follow the learning in order. Prayers have their own separate offering.
- The full weekly portion. open the complete portion from the daily reader.
- Breslov teachings. a separate offering brings Breslov learning into reach alongside the daily study.
Start with today’s portion
Open Chok LiYisroel on AJEW, choose the week and day, and work through the readings. Read the source, use the translation to understand it, and open the commentary when you want more explanation.
A short selection from each area, learned regularly, gives the day a steady portion of Torah—with practical law and work on our character included.
Background: Shaar HaMitzvos, Parshas Vueschanan; Pri Etz Chaim, gate 18. Reader: ajew.org/reader/chok/.