I agree with you in seeing the “intellectual rigour and equally, intellectual curiosity” as resulting from the disciplined study and close reading of texts such as the Talmud, rather than the actual content of the Talmud.

More info is also available on my Facebook page.

I think you make a valid point.

Among religious Jews there is a great emphasis put upon Talmud study, and that has sigificant impact on the intellectual development of individuals. For the past 8 years I have been extensively involved with the Jewish community, and quite often with religiously observant Jews who would be involved in disciplined Talmud study.

But as you note, many (maybe most) Jewish scientists, philosophers, et. al. are secular, non practicing Jews. And they also place high priority on intellectual pursuit, which would, of course, result in significant intellectual prowess.

Between the secular and the religious Jew, the common theme is devotion to study of whatever interests them - the point you make.

As an evangelical pastor (non-Jewish), and as one who has devoted a life-time to biblical, theological study of the Bible, I have more than a passing interest in the history of the Jewish people. While every ethnic group has those who excel, it is noteworthy that a high proportion of intellectual leaders in our world come from the Jewish community.

Thank you for reading and commenting on my post.

If you look at the biography of these jewish scientists, you notice that a significant many of them are no practicing jews. They could not have study the talmud! My explanation is the following. The talmud becomes not just the certain of a religious jew, and but the secular jew as well ! When a jew child see his elder, and community study long hours, and value of the community is focus on intellectual pursuit, then it is not surprise they would devote themselves to study whatever that interest them.

Seriously, however, you are a fine example of what it means to lead a congregation - to serve as a pastor.

I do pray that God will continue to empower you to do his will at Thistletown.

If I had not already invested so much money in my library of nearly 2000 books, I would have gone for Platinum. There is no question but what that is the absolute best value going in Logos.

Are you using Logos 4? Last Fall I purchased version 3, then discovered version 4 came out within three weeks of my purchase. They made it very, very easy for me to move up to Logos 4.

And like you, I’m just scratching the surface - indeed, I may be just “nicking” it!