Rav Yosef cites a braisa: One who has been excommunicated can teach others and they can teach him; he can be hired by others and others can work for him. However, one who has been placed in cherem (one who has been excommunicated twice for thirty days) cannot teach others and they cannot teach him; he cannot be hired by others and others cannot work for him, but he should study by himself in order not to interrupt his studies; he may also make a small store for a source of revenue.



The version of the Rosh states: he should study by himself in order not to lose his learning. The Reshash cites a braisa in Meseches Semochos which states that the reason he should learn is in order not to forget his learning. The Rambam states this reason as well.



A question is asked: Doesn't every Jew have an obligation to study Torah? What is different about a person that has been placed in cherem, that he should study Torah only because of the concern that otherwise he might forget his learning?



A similar question is asked (Igros Moshe Y"D 2:110; B'Toroso Yehegeh p. 185) on the Rambam in Hilchos Talmud Torah (1:10) who states: Until when is a person obligated to study Torah? Until the day he dies. The Rambam cites a verse in the Torah and concludes: And if there is a time that he will not be engrossed in studying Torah, he will forget his learning. Why is that necessary? Would a person be exempt from studying Torah if he is confident that his learning will not be forgotten?

quote:

(one who has been excommunicated twice for thirty days) cannot teach others and they cannot teach him;

Within this section of your quote may be a partial answer to your question...

All other Jews with the obligation to learn Torah have the option of learning with others, but this fellow does not.

So maybe we would think that only when one has the opportunity to learn with a chavrusa or with a rebbe does he have the means to learn Torah?

That when cut off from learning with others he would be exempt from learning?

Even before GlobalYeshiva.com and English translations, the obligation to learn on one's own apparently existed, and this person needs that reminder.

I like that - thanks.

Quote "A question is asked: Doesn't every Jew have an obligation to study Torah? What is different about a person that has been placed in cherem, that he should study Torah only because of the concern that otherwise he might forget his learning? "

I always learnt that it's not appropriate to learn Torah per se by someone in Nidui, since it's Misameach him. Just like we forbid an Avel and on Tisha B'Av. But by Nidui, where it's for an extended time, and it could be even more extended, we feel that the length of time would make a serious dent in his remembering learning, we make an exception and allow him to learn.

http://limudtorah.jewishweb.org

http://globalyeshiva.com/eve/forums?a=frm&f=9291076782