Contemporary Methods of Studying Talmud - Brisk vs. Academia; and the Artifically Intelligent Lamdan

Contemporary Methods of Studying Talmud: Brisk vs. Academia

In the contemporary yeshiva world, there’s an idea of lomdus (למדות, with an Ashkenazi pronunciation). See Wikipedia, entry “Brisker method”:

The Brisker method, or Brisker derech, is a reductionistic approach to Talmud study innovated by Rabbi Chaim Soloveitchik of Brisk [...] It has since become popular and spread to yeshivas around the world. The Brisker method is also known as the "conceptual" approach to Talmud study, and is often referred to simply as lomdus ([...] "analytical study").

In an earlier piece, I discussed lomdus in the context of modern commentaries on the Pentateuch: “Was Abraham a Lamdan?” (July 4, 2023).

Contrast this with the modern academic method in interpreting talmud (Hebrew Wikipedia, entry “Methods of Talmud Interpretation” - דרכי לימוד התלמוד, my translation):

In the 19th century, the Wissenschaft des Judentums movement was established in Europe, which founded the academic research of Jewish studies […], and included the academic research of the Talmud. At the center of the method's interest stands textual criticism [...]

Fundamental differences between academic research and the traditional learning method are expressed in a series of components: Unlike the traditional learning method, the method does not aim for a complete resolution of all difficulties and for a harmonic vision of the entire Talmud; it does not aim to derive halakhic conclusions, let alone resolve the legal rulings of later decisors; and it often uses historical research, manuscripts, and external aids for text interpretation.

Although the roots of these research principles are found among earlier commentators, the full consolidation of these principles into a comprehensive method only occurred during the Wissenschaft period, and this method is still used today for Talmudic research in academic institutions […]

Unlike the regular method that sees the entire Talmud as a single entity and does not differentiate between the methods or layers found within it, the Revadim (“layers”) method follows the academic method [since David Weiss Halivni and Shamma Friedman in the 1970s] in distinguishing and differentiating between various layers in the Talmudic text. 

Revadim broadly distinguishes between four layers: Mishnah; the expanded teachings of the Tannaim (especially the Beraitot); the teachings of the Amoraim ("statements" - מימרות); and the anonymous Gemara ("Stama" - סתמא, [authors of this layer are called] Stama'im), which are all studied according to their simple meaning. 

The evolution of halakha is clarified by recognizing the added elements of each layer, in relation to the previous layer, since the interpretations of later layers are not always according to the simple meaning of earlier sources [...]

The Artifically Intelligent Lamdan

Now imagine a tool that could analyze and interpret the entire Talmud. My argument would be that it is easier to automate lomdus (i.e. the Brisker method) than the academic method. Since the Brisker method simply requires an analysis of the printed text.

While it's true that today's AI models, even the most advanced ones like GPT-4, can't comprehend or experience human thought and emotions, they have shown an extraordinary capability to analyze and generate text based on vast amounts of data. Already, AI has made significant inroads in complex fields such as protein folding and drug discovery. It has proven capable of identifying patterns within enormous volumes of biological data, which implies potential for similar capabilities in analyzing extensive amounts of text. Thus, an AI chiddush generator could analyze Jewish texts and generate novel interpretations or insights.

While it's clear that any insights generated by such an AI would need review and validation by human scholars, it's worth considering the potential. An AI chiddush generator could provide a unique perspective, highlighting connections and interpretations that have been overlooked. It could serve as a valuable tool in the hands of scholars.

The AI chiddush generator could check the entire Talmud, comparing different tractates and masechtot to identify thematic and legal consistencies or discrepancies. For instance, it might analyze discussions of laws across different tractates, uncovering a previously unnoticed pattern or theme that provides a new perspective on these laws. The AI could link seemingly unrelated discussions from different parts of the Talmud.