Q. When doing shnaim mikro vechod targum that should be finished by Rosh Hashana, can you just read it with your eyes as when you learn a sefer or do you have to pronounce it with your lips? How about when you sign up for learning mishnayos for a shloshim?

A. Firstly, it should be stated that there is no requirement to finish the Torah text twice and the Targum translation once (Shmo”s) before Rosh Hashana. The Talmud (Brochos 8b) mentions that Rav Bibi Bar Abaye thought of completing the whole reading on the eve of Yom Kippur but was dissuaded from doing so. Shulchan Aruch (O.H. 285: 4) mentions Simchas Torah as the deadline.

Mishna Berura (285: 2) quotes different opinions whether one complies with the obligation of reading the Torah text twice and the Targum translation once, by just listening to the Baal Koreh as he reads the Sefer Torah on Shabbos. However, listening to the words of the reader is considered normally like reciting them (Shomea K’oneh). Indeed, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that, as the text in the Shulchan Aruch (ibid.) implies, “likros” means to recite and you will not fulfill the Shmo”s obligation by just reading the text silently.

Teshuvos Vehanhogos (O.H. 2: 205) debates whether when learning Rashi instead of Targum (see Shulchan Aruch ibid. 2 and Mishna Berura 4) one is also required to recite the Rashis exegesis or reading silently suffices. Giv’as Shaul (28) rules that Rashi as the Targum itself should also be recited.

When complying with learning mishnayos for shloshim, Horav Shlomo Miller’s Shlit”a opinion is that learning silently suffices.

Rabbi A. Bartfeld as revised by Horav Shlomo Miller Shlit”a