Q&A: Is It Worth Investing in Studying Rabbi Chaim?
Is It Worth Investing in Studying Rabbi Chaim?
Question
Rabbi Chaim is a difficult book, and many times you have to invest a huge amount of time to understand in depth what he really meant. Because of that, I’ve been wondering about something. On the one hand, it could be that because Rabbi Chaim was the first to create the Brisker method, he expressed himself in a more vague way, whereas his successors refined his method and express themselves more clearly, and that is why they are easier to understand. If so, then in order to understand Rabbi Chaim’s approach, it would actually be more efficient simply to study his successors, and there is no need to rack one’s brain too much over his novellae. On the other hand, maybe the meaning is exactly the opposite—that Rabbi Chaim’s book is hard to understand because it is deeper and the distinctions in it are much finer, and specifically if one wants to reach the highest level of Talmudic analysis, one needs to study his novellae. (Beyond that, of course, there is also the consideration that perhaps there are topics where he offered important paths for understanding the passage that you simply cannot know without seeing his novellae themselves.)
Which side does the Rabbi think is correct in this dilemma? Does the Rabbi think it is worthwhile to invest heavily in studying Rabbi Chaim’s novellae?
Answer
I really don’t think it’s that difficult. He writes fairly clearly. But of course there is no sanctity to his book, and if you prefer his successors, that is perfectly fine.
Discussion on Answer
Just out of curiosity, which books of the medieval authorities (Rishonim) / later authorities (Acharonim) does the Rabbi consider difficult?
The topical analyses of Rabbi Akiva Eger are difficult. Later authorities who are less analytical (like Penei Yehoshua) are harder.
With the permission of his honored eminence Rabbi Michi.
1. The questioner said that it is hard for him to learn it (so what difference does it make whether it is hard for you?)
2. The great sanctity of the books of our rabbi Chaim HaLevi is known to all, and well-known things need no proof.
3. Applying the principle “when the words of the rabbi conflict with the words of the student—whose words do we heed?”—yes, one should study the books of Rabbi Chaim, so that you will be on the same level (in analytical study, etc.) as his students, and not second-hand—“a second vessel does not cook”…