Q&A: The Rogatchover
The Rogatchover
Question
I read this Sabbath in Rabbi Zevin's book Personalities and Approaches about the Rogatchover, and it seemed that he was an extraordinary genius.
But for some reason, from my impression of the yeshiva world (this really is not a very serious or long-standing impression, but still), I see that his books are studied and quoted less. Why is that the case? If he really was such a genius, then surely his words are truly wonderful and should be studied, no?
Answer
I don't know. But he was not a yeshiva head, his texts are very concise and difficult, and his analogies are based on a system of philosophical concepts rather than halakhic ones. Beyond that, he does not fit into any recognized scholarly approach, but rather constitutes an approach of his own. All of these make it hard for the average learner to study his writings.
Discussion on Answer
Definitely interesting. I did that for several years. The question is what your goal is. It won't help you analyze Talmudic passages and reach halakhic conclusions. These are interesting analogies based on a philosophical conceptual system.
If you want to get into it, I suggest you start with M. M. Kasher's book, Mefa'ane'ach Tzefunot. There is an introduction there to his thought and classified examples of his basic modes of thinking.
All right,
thank you very much for the answer
Do you think it's worth investing time in studying him?