Q&A: Why Study In-Depth Analysis
Why Study In-Depth Analysis
Question
There are all kinds of explanations for Torah study, like an encounter with God and things like that, but is there no rational explanation for studying in-depth analysis? And wouldn't it be better to study philosophy in order to "encounter" the Creator?
Answer
Absolutely not. He and His will are one (see Rabbi Chaim of Volozhin, Gate 4, and at the beginning of the Tanya), and engaging in Torah is engaging in His will, that is, in Him. Search here on the site for articles about Torah in the person and in the object.
By the way, a rational explanation is an explanation based on reasonable premises. There definitely is a rational explanation for studying in-depth analysis: the encounter with the Holy One, blessed be He, and His will. If you don't agree with the premises, that's another matter, but it has nothing whatsoever to do with rationality.
Discussion on Answer
You can also study broadly or study Jewish law, but in-depth analysis is preferable because it goes deeper (those others are a lower-quality form of Torah study). Beyond that, in-depth analysis gives you the theoretical rules and brings you closer to His will. Like science versus technology.
Does studying something new, for example Seder Taharot, also count as in-depth study? And what is the place of studying Jewish law in order, like the Mishnah Berurah?
(My ability to study in-depth analysis in the sense that I understand the Rabbi to mean is approaching zero at this stage of life.)
As I wrote, there is a hierarchy of study, and each person should do the best he can. Studying the Mishnah Berurah is a means to observance, not the fulfillment of the commandment of Torah study. Therefore, in my opinion it is almost completely without value in and of itself. Of course, in order to know what to observe, it is certainly proper to study it. By the way, women are also obligated in this (to study the Jewish laws relevant to them), even though they are exempt from Torah study (see Magen Avraham and Mishnah Berurah on the laws of the blessing over Torah study for women).
And why specifically in-depth analysis and not broad survey study, for example?
Or studying Jewish law from the Mishnah Berurah.