Rabbinic literature can be studied in two different ways, in two directions, one might say. It can be studied quantitatively or qualitatively - or, as my father once put it, horizontally or vertically. The former involves covering as much material as possible, without attempting to wrest it from it all its implications and intricacies; the latter involves confining oneself to one single area until it is exhaustively covered, and then going on to new material.
Rabbinic literature offers two distinct approaches for study. The quantitative or horizontal method emphasizes breadth, allowing scholars to cover a wide range of texts without delving deeply into their more complex meanings. This approach provides a general overview and encourages familiarity with a larger corpus of material.
In contrast, the qualitative or vertical method focuses on a single area of study, immersing the scholar in one topic until it is thoroughly understood before moving on to new subjects. This deeper exploration facilitates a more profound grasp of the literature’s nuances and implications, yielding richer insights.
