According to what appears in the words of our Rabbis of blessed memory, the teleological element is the practical element. Thus, it appears in their discourses that some of them said “practice is greater [than study]”; but in the end they voted and concluded that “study is greater in that study brings one to practice.” Thus, they reckoned the practical element to be the final cause of the theoretical.”
Suggested Discussion Questions:
1. According to this text, why is study more important than ritual? How are the two connected?
2. What is the ultimate goal of study?
3. Is there a value to action without study? What about study without action?
Time Period: Medieval (Geonim through the 16th Century)