[Avodah] The Vilna Gaon and Secular Studies

[Marty Bluke]

R' Yitzchak Levine wrote:
"

Are you implying that the GRA's extensive secular education
"warped"  is learning?   I hope not.

Rav Shimon Schwab never finished the 9th grade,  but he had extensive
secular knowledge that he acquired on his own.  Are you implying that
Rav Schwab's learning was "warped"  because of his extensive secular
knowledge?  I hope not.

And they there is Rav Y. Soloveichik who had a Ph d in  philosophy
which the GRA said was a waste of time to study.  Are you
implying  that  his learning was "warped."

I could go on with others.

On the contrary,  according to the GRA one's learning is deficient if
one does not have secular knowledge."

You missed the point. It is a concern that the secular learning will
affect the person there can certainly be exceptions. It is a question
of cost/benefit for the masses.

Will the masses benefit more from learning secular studies or be
harmed by the influence. The Chassidic approach is that the harm is
greater then benefit. The people you listed

were certainly exceptions but exceptions do not make the rule.
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