What are the earliest sources that confirm or contradict the assertion that recitation of Torah Shebiksav fulfills the obligation to study Torah even without understanding of the words?
Preferred: Halachic sources not kabbalistic sources.
Answer
Shulchan Aruch Harav (18th century) quoted here writes that one does. Further support (although not proof) can be adduced for this from a responsum of Maimonides (P'er HaDor 104) in which he makes the unqualified statement that even to read a single verse of the Torah one must recite the blessing for Torah. Furthermore, he continues and writes that this would be the case even if the verses were recited in the context of prayer, rather than study. This might imply that the blessing, and by extension, the mitzva is related to reading the words themselves; not appreciating their contents.
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