Q&A: The Approach of Rabbi Shimon Shkop and the Approach of Rabbi Chaim Brisker
The Approach of Rabbi Shimon Shkop and the Approach of Rabbi Chaim Brisker
Question
Can the Rabbi briefly say what the main difference is between Rabbi Shimon’s method of learning and Rabbi Chaim Brisker’s method of learning? I understood that in the yeshivas they learn according to Rabbi Chaim’s method.
Answer
I don’t think that’s so. It’s impossible to write a learned article here on such a broad topic. It’s not only a matter of writing; it would also require systematic research. There is an interesting article by Rabbi Inbal on the Hazon Ish versus Rabbi Shimon, and I assume you’ll be able to draw some insights from there: file:///C:/Users/user/Desktop/%D7%A2%D7%A0%D7%91%D7%9C-%D7%97%D7%96%D7%95%D7%90%20%D7%95%D7%A8%D7%A9%D7%A9.pdf
Generally speaking, it is accepted in yeshivas to say that Rabbi Chaim only describes the “what,” while Rabbi Shimon tries to explain the “why.” That’s a very rough distinction, although there is something to it. Contrary to the Brisker illusion, there is no “what” without a “why.” In the yeshivas, in my opinion, it’s a combination of both of them, especially those that follow the path of Rabbi Shmuel (Rozovsky).
Discussion on Answer
In Rabbi Shagar’s book In His Torah He Meditates, there is, I think, a whole chapter analyzing the differences between Telz and Brisk, with examples.
https://rationalbelief.org.il/%D7%94%D7%97%D7%95%D7%96%D7%94-%D7%95%D7%94%D7%9B%D7%94%D7%9F-%D7%A8%D7%91%D7%99-%D7%A9%D7%9E%D7%A2%D7%95%D7%9F-%D7%A9%D7%A7%D7%90%D7%A4-%D7%95%D7%94%D7%97%D7%96%D7%95%D7%90/