Which is more important learning Iyun or Girsa?
This question was asked in the Yeshiva of Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel about one thousand nine hundred years ago.
Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel was of the opinion that Iyun is more important, but Rebbi Meir argued that Girsa is much more important.
To explain, we need to back up a bit.
Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel was the Nossi during the time of the Bar Kochba revolt.
These were very challenging times and strong leadership became ever more important.
Having no choice other than to ensure strong authority, Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel had to make a change.
You see, in the Yeshivos of Bovel there had always been two schools of thought as to which method of learning was better:
‘Sinai’ or ‘Oker Horim’.
Oker Horim literally means “uprooting mountains”.
It refers to the method of learning Torah in which one delves so deeply into a subject, that one can literally change the entire thinking. Taking what was once assumed as fact as big and stubborn as a mountain, and totally changing the understanding.
One can take something that was once assumed Tomei, and upon deep reflection realise that it is actually Tahor.
The benefit of this was of learning, is that one becomes so connected to the subject, one is literally Mechadesh something that didn’t exist before – the Torah becomes him – it becomes my Chiddush.
It is no longer Tosfos question, it is now my question. I may quote the Tosfos in my Sefer – but the Sefer has my name on it.
The words of Tosfos printed in the Gemora are merely words on a page, but with my understanding this is now my way of understanding Tosfos.
This is as deep a connection to Hahshem as we can ever get. In the words of the Alter Rebbe in Tanya יחוד נפלא ועצום שאין יחוד כמוהו ולא כערכו נמצא כלל.
Sinai, refers to all knowledge that was given to Moishe on Har Sinai.
Literally knowing everything.
For someone learning that method, the assumption is that by knowing everything you will automatically know the full picture and be able to come to the correct ‘Maskona’.
The benefit of achieving that is that the person literally becomes a walking ‘Otzar Hachochma’.
He may or may not have a Sefer in his name – but he himself is Torah.
He knows everything. Everything.
Not only the Sugiyos that have become him.
He is ‘Kol Hatorah Kulah’.
Back to our story, respect was allways given to the leaders of both methods.
At that time, the Nosi, Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel, used the method of Oker Horim – drilling down to the fullest depth of a concept.
The leadership of the other side, (Sinai – knowing as much as you can), were Rebbi Meir – the Chochom (sage), and Rebbi Nossan the Av Beis Din.
Whenever any of them walked into a room everyone stood up.
But at this point in time, when strong and stable leadership is so critical, Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel realises that this presentation of equal respect, could become a problem for people. And he was compelled to decree that from now on people may only stand for the Nossi.
For some reason Rebbi Nosson and Rebbi Meir and were not in the Beis Medrash on the day of this new decree, but when they walked into the Zal the next day no one stood up for them.
This was odd. “What has happened?” they asked.
Upon being told that Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel decreed that from now one may only stand when the Nossi enters, they felt this was wrong. Because this would be creating a total disregard for the idea of Sinai (Girsa).
Compelled to stand up for Kovod Hatorah, they sat in the Beis Medrash and discussed a plan to to publically show the the challenges with the method of Oker Horim – drilling down at one place, on the expense of knowing other areas.
One area of Torah they knew for a fact that Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel did not know very well, was the Masechta of Uktzin.
So they planned to ask him a few Halochos on the subject of Uktzin, the next day at the Shiur Kloli.
But they were overheard by Rebbi Yaakov ben Karshi, who felt that he has to protect the Kovod of the Nossi.
But what should he do? Go to Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel and tell of the plan of these two Tzadikim?
Quietly, he moved to the seat behind Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel, and began to learn the Halochos of Uktzin loudly.
He learned a concept once, and again, and reviewed them a third time. And then loudly moved on to the next.
Hearing this Talmid so obviously trying to send him a message, Rabbon Shimon Ben Gamliel investigated and understood what was going on. That day he spent the time reviewing the content of those Halochos, and at the Shiur Koli, to the surprise of the Chochom and the Av Beis Din, he was able to answer and explain all their challenges.
The story continues that he banished them from the Beis Medrash, and they sent in notes through the window with their questions.
Acknowledging the greatness of their questions, they were allowed back in, but referred to (at times) as Acheirim (Rebbi Meir) and Yesh Oimrim (Rebbi Nossan).
***
But Tachlis, which is more important? Iyun or Girsa.
The Gemora discusses it, and decides that because you can’t have Iyun without the basic knowlage. Basic knowlage is obviously better.
However, the Alter Rebbe in Hilchos Talmud Torah says you need both.
First of all, you need to learn through the entire Torah.
And then, once you have acquired the knowledge of the basics of Torah, one must begin the Mitzva of understanding Torah.
Understanding means – truly understanding (not just ‘knowing’), the Torah to the best of your ability.
Tall order. No?
First know all of Torah, and then start to understand it.
All in the span of 120 years…
If you don’t manage to learn all of Torah?
Well, says the Alter Rebbe, you will need to come back in a Gilgul and learn until you have.
***
But, we are lucky, because the Rebbe gave us guidance in everything.
Need to learn the whole Torah?
Easy.
There is a Rishon who writes that because he has included a synopsis of all of Torah in his Sefer, (including Aggada and Sod), one only needs to learn His Sefer.
Based on this statement, the Rebbe taught that if we learn his Sefer, we have learned the entire Torah.
Learn it over and over, you will begin to remember his Sefer by heart – you are Sinai.
A walking Torah.
The name of this Rishon?
Rebbi Moshe ben Maimon (the Ramba”m).
Learn Rambam, it is as if you have learned the entire Torah.
Your Neshoma can complete the Mitzva of Limud Hatorah, once and for all.
Then, each Tosfos you learn, you will be up to step two, the Mitzva of Yedias Hatorah, of proper and full knowlage.
(Note: This is just one of the many reasons the Rebbe gave for this Takona).
Today, as we begin a new Maslul, it is an opportune time to move a step up, in Limud Horambam from Sefer Hamitzvos to one Perek, from one Perek to three Perokim, from three Perkim to a Halocha Leiyun.