Monday 27 September 2010

Why I prefer Tosafot to Rambam or Rashi

Rashi and Rambam are THE two master teachers of Israel

RaShY - roshei teivot for Rabban shell Yisroel

Nevertheless, I have several reasons for preferring Tosafot's approach and essentially it comes in two flavours...

1. Tosafot bring down external sources thereby supplement a "Sugyah" with other sugyot or with non-textual sources

2. Tosafot are so transparent. Admittedly, some of their pilpul might be "Dochaq" but at least they are transparent about it. There is little in the way of a hidden agenda there.

Take it or leave it, Tosafot usually give you the HOW they get there along with the what.

IMHO it is easier using Tosafot to master dialectics than the Talmud itself - whose range of dialectic is far more complex

Shalom
RRW

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