Q&A: Second-Year Class
Second-Year Class
Question
Hello Rabbi Michi!
With God's help, on 1 Elul of this coming year I’ll be starting my second year at a hesder yeshiva, and I wanted to ask the Rabbi for advice: during most of my first year, I invested my private study time (meaning not the regular bekiut/iyun study sessions, but learning on my own) in Talmudic bekiut, along with a bit of books by later analytical scholars… And although I feel that this contributes to my iyun learning, I feel there are things that would contribute even more to my in-depth learning, and I’m looking for the optimal kind of study for that purpose.
Should I invest more in analytical works than in Talmudic bekiut? What kind of learning will contribute the most to in-depth learning? And I’d also be happy to hear a few more tips for going into second year.
Thanks in advance!
Answer
Hello. What you did sounds like what I usually advise. I prefer analytical works, but perhaps at your early stage (second year) it’s worth continuing with bekiut as well.
Wishing you much success.
Discussion on Answer
The classic books: Shev Shema'tata, Sha'arei Yosher (difficult), Rabbi Yosef Engel, Rabbi Amiel (although in my opinion he has a lot of mistakes and misses).
Thank you very much.
Are there any specific books the Rabbi recommends?