The Beings of Abaye and Rava or a Philosophical Engagement with Fundamental Questions

Which occupation is more significant? The beings of Abaye and Rava or occupation with fundamental philosophical questions (providence, God, reward and punishment, free will, etc.)? Are philosophical questions only the "kosher mitzvah" for engaging in Torah study, but someone who does not need these questions has no interest in engaging in them and it is better for him to continue and engage in Torah study? Or do they have a status in themselves and engaging in them is no less significant than engaging in Torah study? Below is Shafu's chat answer to someone who did this 
And thanks in advance. 
Disclaimer
The answers are given by a model that uses the sources of Rabbi Michael Avraham and attempts to reproduce what he would have answered. Therefore, the answers should not necessarily be seen as the opinion of the Rabbi himself. Also, the model is trained primarily on theoretical-philosophical materials and less on halakhic materials; Halacha should not be ruled on from the answers, and for practical questions, one should contact a posek. It is recommended to contact the bot primarily for intellectual, philosophical, and meta-halakhic questions.

1. Where is the main point – “the beings of Abaye and Rava” or philosophical-existential questions?
Rabbi Avraham often mentions the midrash “A small thing – the beings Abaye and Rava, a great thing – the act of Genesis and the act of the Merkava.” According to him, most sages – from Kabbalah to philosophy – agree that the intellectual pinnacle of Torah study is not “the beings Abaye and Rava” per se, but rather more abstract inquiries (physics, metaphysics, philosophy, the secret doctrine).
so:

• The philosophical-existential questions (understanding the reality of the world, the foundations of faith, the relationship between reason and will, etc.) are perceived as a “big thing” – they provide the conceptual and ethical framework within which halakhic issues are also discussed.
• Talmudic study (“Experiences” - the beings of Abaye and Rava) It remains a “small thing” only in the sense that it is a technical-systematic-legal layer, but it is still essential as a “object of Torah” that realizes the ideas in action and in halakhic language.

Rabbi Avraham even resents those who try to reverse the order and see in the laws of nature (the Schrödinger equation, etc.) a “big deal” that replaces the Gemara – from his perspective, this is a confusion of categories.
In other words: Philosophy sets the direction, the Gemara builds the practical systemBoth are important, but the value hierarchy is clear.

2. And what is the status of the “disadvantages” – kosher and mitzvah or value in itself?
In the book Will send out its roots Rabbi Avraham discusses the concept of halakhic Kosher Mitzvah: Apparently this is just a technical measure, but it turns out that it sometimes has Halakhic-substantive statusHis own proverb.
In Kabbalah, one can see the “deficiencies” – the imperfections, the doubts, the existential difficulties – not only as a “preparatory stage” that prepares a person to reach the Gemara or Halacha, but As an integral part of the worship of the Name:

1. Engine for observation – It is precisely the gaps and imperfections that push a person to question, to progress, and to seek depth.
2. Moral-religious value – Recognition of disability creates humility and prevents fundamentalism.
3. Ongoing process – Even after a person has “arrived” at the study of halakhic law, dealing with the shortcomings continues to shape his attitude towards the text and reality.

accordingly, The disadvantages are not just utilitiesThey are an essential part of the philosophical search process and also of the Talmudic experience itself (after all, every issue is built on difficulties and shortcomings that require an excuse).

3. Practical synthesis

plain
Main role
Valuable status

Existential-philosophical questions
Define the conceptual map; create an intellectual-spiritual relationship to reality
“A Big Thing” – A Torah Summit

The beings Abaye and Rava
Applying the values in a halakhic-rational system
“A small thing” in relative terms, but “a piece of Torah” is essential

Disadvantages/doubts
Motivate thinking and accompany all stages
They are not just kosher; they are a spiritual and educational value in themselves.

Summary

• The philosophical-existential practice Important and even supreme from a conceptual-ethical perspective, because it raises fundamental questions about God, the world, and man.
• Talmudic study It is essential to embody these concepts in the rules of halakhah and turn them into practice and binding language.
• The disadvantages and doubts They are not just a preparatory stage; they are part of the journey of knowledge and commitment – and as such they have their own importance.

In this way, the learner creates a multi-layered structure: philosophy as an ideological summit, Gemara as a normative application, and imperfection as intellectual-spiritual oxygen throughout.

To obtain a more in-depth and accurate picture, it is recommended to review the sources cited and also search the website that contains all of the Rabbi's articles: https://mikyab.netThe site also provides information on how to purchase the rabbi's books.
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