Reviewing one’s learning in thought

Shalom!

I saw that in the Shulchan Aruch HaRav it is written that Torah study must be done verbally and in a way that one hears it with one’s ears, except when it is for the purpose of understanding one thing from another.

I have the practice, without a vow, of learning by heart every day 7 dapim with the shakla ve-tarya (give-and-take of the discussion), so that I will remember the pages.

This works best for me in thought and not verbally; saying it aloud would take much more time.

Is what I am doing not considered Torah study?

This is not a matter of understanding one thing from another, which cannot be done verbally.

Thank you very much!

Shalom and blessings 

It is clear that thinking about one’s learning is a fulfillment of the mitzvah of Torah study. About this it is said, “and you shall meditate (vehagita) on it day and night.” See Biur Halakha (Orach Chaim 47:4, s.v. “hameharher”).

In addition, reviewing what one has learned is itself a separate mitzvah — the mitzvah of knowing the Torah. And in the Shulchan Aruch HaRav (Yoreh De’ah, Hilkhot Talmud Torah, ch. 2, §3) it states all the more so that in this way one fulfills the mitzvah of “and you shall teach them diligently to your children (veshinantam levanecha),” and he also writes (there §4) that only in this way does one avoid transgressing “take heed lest you forget” and so on. 

Therefore, if this is the way in which you merit attaining knowledge of the Torah, fortunate are you; do not stop. 

This is in addition to the learning itself, which has a great advantage when it is specifically done verbally, with the mouth. 

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