Joodse traditie als permanent leren

200.

is given to the one concerned with the deduction a fortiori. 246, 15. When there are two questioners, one of whom is a scholar and the other a student, precedence is given to the more learned questioner. Similarly, between a student and an ignorant man, precedence is given to the student. If both questioners are of equal standing, whether scholars or students or ignorant men, and both have asked questions of a like category, whether it be a question of law or any other type of question, then the teacher may answer first whichever one he chooses.

A learned bastard takes precedence over an ignorant priest.

((Conduct in the House of Learning))

246, 16. One may not sleep in the House of Learning. Anyone who slumbers in the House of Learning will find his knowledge grow ragged, as it is said, "Drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags" (Prov. 23:21).

246, 17. Conversation should not be carried on in the House of Learning on any matter other than the study of the Torah. Even when one sneezes, his fellow students should not say to him, "Good Health".

But nowadays this is permitted.

The sanctity of the House of Learning is greater even than that of the synagogue.

((Importance of Adult Study))

246, 18. The study of Torah is regarded as equivalent to performing all the commands (because study leads to practice). When, therefore, one has before him the choice of carrying out a commandment or of studying Torah, if the command may be carried out by others for him, he should not interrupt his studies. Otherwise, he must fulfill the commandment and afterwards return to his studies. 246, 19. When a man is judged in the divine judgment, he is first judged according to the way in which he has devoted himself to the study of the Torah, and afterwards he is judged according to his acts. 246,20. Let a man always devote himself to Torah, even though he does it not for its own saike, because in the end he will come to study it for its own sake.

This refers to cases such as when a man studies in order that