Re:Learning Properly

Asked by Joey · March 1, 2004 · Other

Question

I think the reason your website is so controversial is not necessarily waht you say, but the agressive way you put forth your views. I do not understand the need for such a method, as I was only asking a simple question. However, though you "dont expect me to understand" your response, I do expect you to read through the posts before adressing me as one would adress a fool. In my first post to you I clearly said "I am not disputing your program on the whole"; thus I fail to understand why you continously bring "ligmor vehadar lisvor" to my attention. I did however want to ask why in your program you did not include the lisvor component; as I mentioned, even the in depth learning of practical sugyas you mentioned was not sevara oriented, and thus I asked where you though its place to be. I am not basing my questions on my feelings, rather on the open statements of chazal that you did not include into your learning program. I still ask why you only consider sevara based learning to be a good thing, and not a crucial part of ones learning as the Rambam seems to suggest in the Halachas I have quoted to you; he reccommends 1/3 of ones day dedicated to this type of learning where you only call it a good thing. Joey

Answer

Answered by Rabbi Abadi

You are splitting hairs. "In depth learning" includes a use of logic and one's own thinking. This thinking, however, must be based on the proper usage of all the relevant information available, and only under proper direction. I don't recall saying to study in depth without thinking. Someone who studied Tanach, Sha"s, and the major Jewish Laws will know what steps to take next. They don't need me to direct them. The overwhelming majority likes to study in depth and to do a lot of "thinking," but without the background information necessary, they are wasting their time. I say Pilpul (as described above; using your own thinking to learn in depth after the proper prerequisites) is a good thing, rather than the main or most important, because it is not the primary study of Torah. The main purpose of studying is for people to know the laws that they are required to keep. If you look at the Gemara in Nedarim 38a, you'll see that Pilpul is secondary to the main concept of studying Torah. An overwhelming majority of people should ideally spend their lives studying Torah without Pilpul. Then there are those select few that studied a sufficient amount, developed proper character traits, have their brains thinking straight, and have proper direction. These people can and should study Pilpul, and eventually maybe even reach a point where they can even study Kaballah. Try to imagine a medical student discussing his thoughts and opinions relating to complex brain surgery prior to completing his first course in Medical School. That is the same as the current, most popular way of studying Torah, which is probably in more than 85% of Yeshivot. On the other issue, you seem upset that I am responding too strongly. We call this "self-righteous." I'll show you the wording of your initial question, maybe you didn't see it: ____________________________________ " Re: Learning Properly