Q&A: Studying the Jerusalem Talmud or the Babylonian Talmud?
Studying the Jerusalem Talmud or the Babylonian Talmud?
Question
Hello and blessings to the honored Rabbi, may he live long and well,
I’m interested in learning during Hol HaMoed either the entire Babylonian Talmud by rapid review, or the Jerusalem Talmud.
I’m really torn between the two, because on the one hand, rapid review of the Babylonian Talmud would help with the study schedule I want to do after the break,
of learning 4–7 pages a day with broad coverage (with understanding), and of course the Babylonian Talmud is of greater importance than the Jerusalem Talmud. But on the other hand, for several years now I’ve wanted to learn the Jerusalem Talmud, and this is an excellent opportunity (especially since I found a site with a vocalized and edited Jerusalem Talmud with a small amount of explanation).
What does the Rabbi recommend?
Answer
I have no recommendation.
Discussion on Answer
Zeilig — the questioner meant Tractate Pesachim, not the entire Talmud.
Zeilig, what does that do for you (an innocent question)? And by the way, Rabbi Steinsaltz also liked reading it.
You Too, Dimwit — I meant the entire Talmud ("either the entire Babylonian Talmud by rapid review, or the Jerusalem Talmud"); how exactly did you understand that I meant specifically Pesachim? Maybe because of Passover?
I assumed you meant specifically Tractate Pesachim, because otherwise Zeilig’s criticism stands in full force. A person who is capable of learning, in whatever fashion, the entire Babylonian Talmud during Hol HaMoed, and all the more so the Jerusalem Talmud, is very likely a person who is highly skilled in learning and possesses extensive knowledge, and is also diligent and focused—fortunate is he and fortunate is his lot. And a person like that ought to have enough of his own inner resources not to ask others (and perhaps not even himself) questions like these, and in this way. In any case, with this I withdraw from the matter and wish you great success.
I’m currently speed-reading the entire Hebrew Encyclopedia, about 3 volumes a day (I debated at length between the Hebrew Encyclopedia, which is of a higher level, and Wikipedia, which is more up to date).