"A
person who studied Talmud came before the divine judgment. The Holy
One, blessed be He, says to him: 'My son, since you have occupied
yourself in Talmud, have you also gazed upon the Merkavah? Have you
looked upon My Throne of Glory? Have you beheld my Shi'ur Qomah? What
is the measurement of My palm? What is the measurement of the toes of
my feet?'"
-- Midrash Mishlei
The implication is that the study of the Talmud is a prerequisite for beholding the deeper mysteries of God. At the same time, it also says that discursive skill in Talmudic dialectics is not sufficient to penetrate to the deepest mysteries. Thus the passage simultaneously endorses and dissuades the student of Talmudic learning.
-- Midrash Mishlei
The implication is that the study of the Talmud is a prerequisite for beholding the deeper mysteries of God. At the same time, it also says that discursive skill in Talmudic dialectics is not sufficient to penetrate to the deepest mysteries. Thus the passage simultaneously endorses and dissuades the student of Talmudic learning.
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