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Study
or Work
The
debates on the respective importance of study and practice
are a commonplace of rabbincal thinking. The basic question
seems to have less to do with being and non-being as
it does in philosophy ('from the moment of his creation,
a sage retorted, man should apply himself to doing his
duty,") than with the question of study or practice:
The old men were together in the mansard of Nia's
house in Lod one day and were debating the question
of the relative importance of study and practice.
Tarfone said that practice was most important while
Akiba said that study was more important. They finally
came to an agreement and said that study was the most
important when it led to practice.
Babylonian
Talmud Kiddushin 40b
The controvery continued to divide the wise men; some considered
study to be uppermost in importance.
It is written, "Study
the laws and apply yourself to respecting them." (Deuteronomy
5, 1). This is how Scripture indicates that practice is
subordinate to study rather than the reverse. Moreover,
we find that the punishment that awaits us for not studying
is more serious than the punishment for not practicing.
And just as not studying is more seriously punished, the
reward for studying is greater . Rabbi Yosse of Galilee
said, 'Study is more important than practice.'
Sifre
Deuteronomy (Ekev), par. 41
The dominant position nonetheless remains that of uniting
practice and study. 'He who only studies the law, stated
Rabbi Huna, will not reach Heaven.' Study for study's sake
is sterile. Many passages from the Talmud recommend uniting
an occupation or a profession and study.
The Enterprise of Study
Rabbi Gamliel, the son of Rabbi Judah the Prince, said,
'Studying the Torah and derekh eretz (a profession or
occupation) is an excellent thing because the effort demanded
by each keeps us from sinning.' Studying the Torah without
any other occupation leads to superficial effots and encourages
sin.
Babylonian
Talmud Aboth II, 26
Another passage suggest linking good
manners and study:
The Manner of Study
It is witin 'mixed with oil' (Numbers VII, 19). In this
passage, the issue is that the law should be accompanied
by good deeds as it is taught, 'The study of Torah linked
to good manners is a beautiful thing.'
Numbers
Rabba (Nasso), XII, 20
The interpretation of these sacred texts does not end by
closing the two Talmuds, the one compiled in Tiberias which
is known as the Jerusalem Talmud, and the Babylonian Talmud
which was compiled in Babylon. Learned men will continue
to study the Torah and to 'read and reread it over and over'
so as to use their hermeneutic skills to draw new meanings
from the books of the Bible and their Talmud commentaries,
adding their level of commentary to that of their predecessors.
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The
Pedagogic Center
Director: Dr. Motti Friedman
Web site manager: Esther Carciente, esthers@jajz-ed.org.il
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