Q&A: Studying Responsa
Studying Responsa
Question
Hello Rabbi Michi! How are you in such a lovely month?
I recommend that you go see the sunset outside. It’s really beautiful. Maybe even take a walk around Kikar HaKadourim and get yourself some ice cream.
I tried to follow your advice and study responsa. But I really got lost. I opened Havot Yair and the responsa of Hatam Sofer, and the language isn’t the problem. The problem is that I can’t identify at all what the answer is and what the question is, or what’s going on there, and it gets really cumbersome. Do you have any tips? Classes on the topic, or some recommendation for guidance?
Answer
I’ve already gained one new insight: there’s ice cream at Kikar HaKadourim, and I had no idea!
As for studying responsa, I don’t recommend starting with that. I thought you were already proficient and could manage with it. Obviously, first one needs to acquire skill in the Talmud and its commentaries. Responsa are usually harder to crack, and it’s best to get to them once you already have some analytical learning skills.
Discussion on Answer
I don’t know what your background is, but it’s very hard to reach a good level of proficiency on your own. It’s really worthwhile to find some kind of framework that will help you. If necessary, online classes can also work.
Is Deli Cream kosher? 🙂
If it’s specifically responsa that interest you, I’d suggest starting with easier ones—for example Aseh Lekha Rav by Rabbi Halevi or Yechaveh Da’at by Rabbi Ovadia.
That’s it. When I studied Megillah with Ben Yehoyada (for some reason every commentator I came across dealt only with aggadah), it wasn’t hard. Nor was Tzelach. But then I opened Havot Yair and I said to myself, what—what is going on here, what are all these abbreviations? And where’s the question and where’s the answer? Right now I’m studying Berakhot (this time with Maharsha and Rabbi Kook) and the rules of the Talmud (by Rabbi Yitzhak Campanton, and of the Shulchan Arukh). Is there something in the Talmud that’s worth focusing on? Usually I focus on Tosafot, and my learning is more active (I try to ask questions on my own).
Thank you for your time, Rabbi Michi!
I recommend that you eat at Deli Cream on Herzl Street in Lod