Question:
Shalom,
At times I get overwhelm in learning halacha. There’s much to learn and I have not found a proper guideline in how to approach the topic and seforim that help guide one along in the topic.
Say one wants to learn Siman Aleph Orach Chaim Tur Shulchan Aruch. Besides the Tur what other seforim are needed?
Is it better to go through Shas first?
And to add to the struggle is the person who asked me to send this question is in prison which means he is limited in study partners and ability to learn from a rebbe. Which means, while he knows how to learn, a lot of time needs help with translation and the likes.
Your guideline as you are all mumchim in the matter will be much appreciated.
From where one should start with, what seforim both I’m Hebrew and English would be appreciated.
Answer:
Based on what you are writing, it sounds like learning Tur Shulchan Aruch Orach Chaim, may a bit too hard, especially since the Beis Yosef is long, and he will most probably have a very hard time with it if he is learning by himself. A good place to start learning halacha, for someone in this situation would be the Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, because it goes through all of the basics and many of the not-so-basics, that many people are not aware of. Additionally, there are numerous types of Kitzur Shulchan Aruch, there are ones with English translation, and numerous others that bring out the differences between the Kitzur and the Mishna Berurah, or the Kitzur and the Shulchan Aruch Horav, the Ben Ish Chai for Sefardim, and others that have the English translation together with assorted halachos the pertain to each topic spoken about.
For Hilchos Shabbos on a higher level, you can try Shmiras Shabbos Khilchoso, which also comes in English. Aside from this there are numerous halacha seforim from Artscroll.
Aside from this, you should also learn gemora. You can get gemorahs from Artscroll in all the tractates.
Iff there is any other way that we can be of assistance please let us know.
Best Wishes
