Over Shabbat I read a fascinating work, a series of letters from the Rambam translated into English. The work is entitled “Letters of Maimonides” and is authored by Leon D Stitskin.
Below is an extract that I feel is most encouraging to those who aspire to learn Torah, but are crippled in the sense that they are unable to learn from the original sources independently. (I myself fall into this category, as I am sure do many others)
Maimonides to Joseph Ibn Gabir (pg 87-88)
I have place the Lord before me always. The letter of the wise and cherished Mar known as Ibn Gabir has reached me. He describes himself as an ignorant man and laments his inability to read the work I composed in the Hebrew language, the Mishneh Torah. It is clear, however, from this epistle that he has a great enthusiasm for studying Torah, and that he occupies himself steadily in My commentary on the Mishnah. He also mentions that he heard from some scholars in Baghdad (may the Lord protect them) are critical of some of my decisions, and request that I reply in my own handwriting in order to help him with his studies. I hereby comply with his request.
First of all, I must tell you, may the Lord preserve and increase your welfare, that you are not justified to call yourself ignorant. You are my beloved pupil, and so are all those who are inclined to pursue zealously the study of Torah and attempt to understand even one biblical verse or a single halacha. It makes also no difference whether one pursues his studies in the holy language or in Arabic or Aramaic, as long as one understands the issues involved. This applies especially to the commentary and the summaries. The most important thing is to be involved in learning. But of one who neglects his studies, or who has never studies, it is said “he has despised the word of the Lord (Num 15,31). This refers also to a man who fails to continue his studies even if his a great scholar, for he thereby neglects the positive precept of advancing his learning which his highest commandment.
As for your own situation, I would suggest that you do not disparage yourself or abandon the prospect of achieving perfection. There are great scholars who commenced their learning at an advanced age and yet developed into distinguished scholars. It behoove you, therefore to study the Hebrew text of the volume I composed. It is not difficult to understand it lends itself easily to study, and in fact, if you master on part you will eventually be able to understand the whole work. Keep in mind, however, that I do not intend to produce and Arabic edition of the Mishneh Torah, as it would lose its specific flavor. Moreover, how can you ask me to do this when I hope to translate even my Arabic writings in the holy language? In any event, you are our brother, may the Lord guard you, lead you to perfection and grand you bliss in both worlds.