Q&A: Three Questions for the Rabbi
Three Questions for the Rabbi
Question
1. I understood from something the Rabbi said in one of his interviews that he praised the study of the Talmud and the Brisk and Ponevezh method because it teaches analytical ability and straight thinking, and serves as a tool so that when arguing one does not follow emotion, but uses systematic arguments and does not attack the person, etc. Does it make sense for me, as a secular person (a long-time former Haredi who left religion) with a connection to culture, to study the Talmud for this purpose, perhaps through halakhic rulings, maybe somewhat like one studies in academia, without commitment to observing the commandments?
2. Briefly about myself: I am 41. I grew up in the Sephardi Haredi world. I did not persevere, for various complex and difficult reasons, but I studied here and there. I have a superficial acquaintance with the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh), and with the Talmud too, superficial and not broad. I was not exposed very much to the Lithuanian style of learning, only picked up a bit of ideas and concepts here and there. I have little time in the day, say two hours for study. Do you have a recommendation for what, how, and how much to study? I fell in love with the Rabbi’s mode of thought and learning. And if I had remained Haredi, I would not have accepted what you say, and would have remained square and rigid. My abilities are average, maybe a bit below.
3. My life depends on asking this sincerely and innocently. In your intellect you are in the front rank of people of wisdom, and I hear your criticism sometimes in a dismissive tone, like “nonsense” … about rabbis who, in my opinion, are sincere and innocent in their own way and only reach as far as their abilities allow. Wouldn’t it be better for us as listeners to hear more respectful wording from you, like “I disagree with him” instead of “gobbledygook and empty verbiage”? I heard you say several times that in the tents of Hidabrut there is no listening, only niceness. I think there is also a layer of people who are not so clever (like me), who do not know how to argue and sometimes also feel the other person is not right but do not know how to express it, yet they do understand that there is indeed someone on the other side who is no less sincere than they are, and therefore respond with a hug, a smile, and silence, relating only to his sincerity, without the ability to formulate an argument against him.
Many thanks. I have listened to and watched many of your videos, including on analytical Talmudic thinking and the like. I have a few limitations and do not have even minimal education. Is it possible to consult with you about what I might be capable of acquiring in terms of learning?
Answer
- Anyone can study. But commitment helps, because if you are committed you will invest yourself more in trying to find an explanation for everything. Without that, you will tend to dismiss things immediately when they seem illogical. In academia, most people do not really study Talmud at all; they do archaeological digging in the Talmud instead (though there are some who do).
- I don’t know how to recommend. You need to join a yeshiva-style class.
- When I dismiss things, it is usually because they are nonsense. I do not generally dismiss things that I merely disagree with. The same goes for people. Precisely for people who find it hard to judge, it is very important to explain when something is nonsense or when people are foolish. Because the appearance is that they are learned and wise, and they receive credit they do not deserve, and they negatively influence their ignorant listeners.
Discussion on Answer
The commitment you mean—is that halakhic commitment? I don’t think that will work for me if I’m not really much of a believer, and only a connection to the Jewish people and to the sources would obligate me.
Indeed.
Thank you.
Many thanks for the valuable replies. I also learned something now from your response to question 3. More power to you.