Ask the Rabbi with Rabbi Chaim Mintz
The Gemara (Talmud) is so full of debates and back-and-forth discussions over every detail, even of opinions we don’t follow! Why? If the purpose is to teach us what to do, why not just get to the point and tell us the bottom line?
Rabbi Chaim Mintz responds:
Torah Is More Than an Instruction Manual
Your question is based on a basic misconception. The Torah is not merely an instruction manual for how to keep the mitzvot (Torah commandments). Torah, in all its depth and nuance, is the wisdom of Hashem, and by studying His wisdom we connect with Him directly in the deepest way possible.
The Rambam (Maimonides – Hil. Yesodei HaTorah 2:10) elucidates this point, teaching us a profound idea about Hashem. For human beings, knowledge is separate from their essence. They are born without it, and even as they acquire it over time, it remains external and never becomes part of who they are. But with Hashem, His wisdom is not something separate from Him—it is Him. This, the Rambam writes, is the reality, even though it is beyond human comprehension. This is what Chazal (our Sages) mean when they say “Hashem and His Torah are completely one.”
So when we study Torah, we are actually studying Hashem Himself! By attaching ourselves to His wisdom, we attach ourselves to His holiness, becoming holier in the process.
The Infinite Depth of Torah
Because the Torah is Hashem’s wisdom, its depth is limitless. No matter how much we learn, we can grasp only a drop in the ocean. Nevertheless, we must continue to study diligently, for the more we study, the deeper our understanding grows, and the stronger our connection to Hashem becomes.
Why the Talmud’s Give-and-Take Matters
This is why studying the shakla vetarya, the give-and-take discourse of the Talmud, is so important. It is not just an intellectual exercise. The questioning, debating, and careful analysis allows us to dig deeper into the principles of each law, thereby attaining a greater understanding of Torah, connecting us to Hashem and infusing us with more holiness.
Applying Torah to Every Generation
Additionally, even for someone just wanting to know the “bottom line” of what to do, the Gemara’s give-and-takeis essential. The Torah is timeless, relevant, and applicable to every aspect of our lives in each generation. Yet it doesn’t address every possible scenario, nor can it possibly discuss the new innovations and situations that arise in each generation. For example, it contains many laws about damages caused by an ox, but nothing about a car. It discusses lighting a fire and cooking with it on Shabbat, but what about electricity? If all we had were the final conclusions, we would have no idea how to apply it to today’s ever evolving world.
This is why the rigorous back-and-forth discourse of the Talmud is so essential. Through these discussions, the underlying principles of each law are revealed, and by clarifying them, we are able to apply them to new situations. For example, understanding the essence of the laws of damages allows us to determine how they apply to a car, and understanding the principles behind cooking and using fire on Shabbat helps us address modern questions, such as using microwaves or electricity. Studying the Gemara in this way ensures that these principles can guide us in every generation and every circumstance. This work is important even when studying opinions that we do not adopt, because a small change in the case can make those opinions relevant again.
Aside from these reasons, studying these back-and-forth debates is intellectually stimulating and enjoyable, and immersing ourselves in them is a real pleasure. So why would you want to deprive yourself of it?
In Short
Torah is the wisdom of God, and by studying it, we connect to Him. The deeper our understanding, the stronger that connection becomes. Furthermore, the Talmud’s back-and-forth reveals the principles behind each law, letting us apply them to cases not explicitly discussed.
Written by Rabbi Aaron Shapiro
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