[Avodah] What did they learn in the yeshiva of Shem and Ever

[Micha Berger]

On Mon, October 22, 2007 7:11 am, Richard Wolberg wrote:
: BTW, who was the Rosh Yeshiva of the Yeshiva of Shem and Ever?  J

This is a good question, because it reminds you that we're using the
word "yeshiva" loosely. The Rambam draws a picture of something like
Plato's Academy, which was more like the people who informally hung
around R' Chaim Brisker than a place with actual registration,
acceptance process, required attendance, etc... like Volozhin. And of
course, without as much halakhah, the Rambam presumes it was mostly
aggadic-philosophical.

However, I wonder about the original question... The problem is
likened to that of geneivah or of eishes ish. But this was before
matan Torah. (Not to play down hamefateh pehuyah, so there is a limit
to this mashal, but:) What exactly is the problem with nachriim
learning Torah before it was given to anyone in particular?

SheTir'u baTov!
-micha

-- 
Micha Berger             One who kills his inclination is as though he
micha at aishdas.org        brought an offering. But to bring an offering,
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