Studies in Talmudic Logic and Methodology by Louis Jacobs

In Studies in Talmudic Logic and Methodology, Louis Jacobs sheds light on many different facets of the way Chazal wrote the Talmud. First, Jacobs goes through a couple different logical arguments common in the Gemara. While many scholars believe that the kal vechomer is borrowed from the Aristotelian syllogism, Jacobs shows that this is clearly not the case. At the same time, Jacobs shows how the Binyan Av argument is very similar to Mill's method of agreement. Recently, I have heard more and more about people seeing where chazal got their information. Whether it is the question of the missing years in the second temple period, or science that contradicts Halacha, seeing what the outside culture was saying at the time has become more and more a prevalent way of explaining some of Chazal's positions. What I think Jacobs does really well in this book, is his ability to use the culture Chazal were in as a way to explain what they said, while not oversimplifying their arguments. It could be easy to say that Chazal borrowed their statements from Aristotle. This could certainly be a possibility, but should not necessarily always be used as an explanation. A lot of times we can get into arguments of Chazal's fallibility and the fullness of their mesorah. However, by really delving into the topic we can see to what extent it is true in each case. Also, Jacobs motives seem not to be governed by politics and or practice consequences. He looks at the logical arguments through a secular lens to try and lean more about them. For instance Mill's method of agreement came much later, yet it can shed light in on what Chazal argued centuries before.

After going into a couple of Chazal's logical arguments he focuses on methodology. The big argument that Jacobs creates is that the sugyot as we know them today were created by the redactors from the vast amount of Rabbinic information they had in front of them. They took on great liberties to attach arguments to positions to create a system where sugyot would be moving towards a point and climax so that it will be more interesting to the reader. I think that knowing this about the Gemara as we know it can have a lot more positive attributes than being more interesting. It can allow us to dissect a sugya in a real manner, allowing us to further our understanding of the opinions involved. By doing this we will be more able to apply the Gemara to the constantly changing landscape.

If Jacobs is correct that the redactors created the sugyot in order to make them more interesting, the Gemara itself sheds light on Chazal's way of teaching. Teaching is not just giving over information and opinions. It is creating an engaging environment where the students can have a dialogue with what is in front of them. This is evermore true for education in all subjects today. We should not be trying to educate so that we can stuff in as much knowledge as possible, although the quantity of information is certainly a goal in its own right. Even though the way the Gemara is written now is much lengthier than had it just stated the opinions and final Halacha, it leaves the learners with an engaging experience, one that they will hopefully remember for much longer. If you're interested in an analytic discussion of the topics mentioned above and others, I would recommend this book as a good way to gain an understanding of Talmudic logic and methodology.
                                 Next Week: How to Think Straight about Psychology

Start Up Nation by Dan Senor and Saul Singer

The premise of the book itself is interesting in its own right. The question the authors ask is how is it possible that a tiny little state in hostile territory has created an inordinate amount of new technologies and start up companies in such a short history? While one could certainly have a theological approach to a Jewish State, the authors decide to try to explain the factors that have practically created this burgeoning of innovation in the State of Israel. They theorize that it is a combination of factors, but most prominently the Israeli chutzpah and forthrightness that we all love is the reason for the success. While in America, people are willing to fall in line and wait their turn, an Israeli will stand up for what he thinks and will not care about rank or turn. This allows for more innovation because people are always willing to think for themselves rather than listening to their superior. Recently, I was speaking to an elderly jewish woman who had just gone to Israel for the first time. She was discussing how she really did not enjoy her time there because of the “lack of manners” Israelis had. Ironically, she didn’t know that the other two people I was sitting with were from Israel. While I always thought that the great positive of the Israeli chutzpah was that it in fact helped the creation of a state despite all the hostilities from many sides. The innovation it creates is an ongoing positive aspect of this nature. Perhaps this is something that we must all take into account. There is a fine line between respect for others and making sure what needs to happen happens. Maybe sometimes Israelis are too forward, but it has created a culture that is able to continue furthering itself positively. It is in those places that are known to be nice and respectful that many times innovation is absent. The authors posit many other factors to the generation of so many start up companies. The army culture, the rosh gadol mentality (yes, they actually use those words), and the continuos influx of entrepreneuring immigrants have all created the perfect place to produce all these great start ups. In order to show all these things the authors tie in many anecdotes to their research to make their points.

        The major problem of the book was the seeming scientific viability oft their arguments. While their answers seem to be true, the authors rarely prove causation. While correlation certainly exists, the question as to which of these qualities has led to the situation we have today (so that it can be reproduced elsewhere) is left unknown. Perhaps, if any one of the circumstances the book talks about is missing Israel would still have the economy it has today. The authors many time try to prove their points by use of anecdote. While they are both insightful and interesting, they can in no way prove the facts they are trying to. Surely, one could easily find similar stories in any country in the world. To that extent the book seems to lean into the realm of publicity. So, while it was a really interesting read and perhaps all of the arguments made are true, as they all make sense, it is hard to say that the question that was offered at the beginning of the book was truly answered.

       In any event, I still find the question to be the most important part of the book. The ability to create the economy that exists in Israel despite such great odds before and since the creation of the state is remarkable. It makes me prouder to be a Jew, and especially a Jew that stands by Israel.

Next week: Studies in Talmudic Logic and Methodology by Louis Jacobs