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Have seen contradictory information regarding the reward for someone who brings merit to the public.

On one hand, I've heard Rabbis say that one who causes another to learn torah also gets the reward for that person's torah study. (they base this on chovos halevavos in gate#10)

On the other hand I heard a shiur by Rabbi Nissan Kaplan who says that if one learns one hour of torah, it is greater merit than opening up a yeshiva where hundreds will learn torah. He bases this on a Taz who says that Mordechai would have had more merit if he had stayed and learned instead of saving all of the jewish people. (the talmud also says that torah study is great than hatzala nefashos)

can anyone resolve this?

does causing someone to learn torah really have the same reward as learning oneself?

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Isn't this question really about priorities with respect to learning Torah vs. supporting others learning Torah? That seems to be the comparison being made by the first point and the Shi'ur by R' Kaplan (I understand that the Ta"Z may be talking about public service vs. Talmud Torah, rather than supporting Torah vs. personal learning, but it's being used to support the idea brought above). – Seth J Jan 14 at 20:24
Not really priorities, but whether the supporting/strengthening of torah is equal to the study. Have heard different opinions. Also, Rabbi Kaplan said that Mordechai saved all of the Jewish people. so he caused all the torah study of generations after him until today. even so, the Taz says talmud torah is greater. – good_ole_ray Jan 14 at 21:00
OK, but your comparison is primarily one between personal learning and supporting learning, not between public service and personal learning, correct? – Seth J Jan 14 at 21:09
Isn't it widely accepted that Zevulun has (at least) the same reward as Yissachar? – Shraga Jan 14 at 21:29
yes thats evidence for one side. but it also says talmud torah outweighs all the mitzvot and supporting torah is a mitzva. there are many other supports for both sides. no clear cut answer though – good_ole_ray Jan 15 at 18:00
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