Should a person study secular knowledge?

Everything that is true has its roots in Torah and, whether properly learned, can enhance Torah study. Of course, the risk is that whether it is improperly learned or is inherently false, thereupon secular knowledge can cause a person to simply get confused.

There was a great rabbi named Rabbi Avigdor Miller. Rabbi Miller knew Torah backwards and forwards. He was able to refer to any piece of Talmud off the top of his head. Although he never went to college, graduate school, or any other higher-level secular schooling, he was more knowledgeable about science, math, and philosophy than many professionals in their respective fields. How did that rabbi know so much? After he passed away, piles and piles of textbooks were discovered in his bathtub. He learned everything from microbiology to ancient philosophy. Perhaps he wanted to learn about those subjects in order to enhance his knowledge of G-d’s world and His involvement in history. However, he learned about those crucial subjects in the place that could give him the proper perspective. In the bathroom, he would learn secular philosophy; and in the

sacred halls of the yeshiva, he would learn Torah. Obviously, that is an extremely noble example of someone who, although appreciative of secular wisdom, knew its proper place in relation to Torah study.

The direct reply to your question is that secular wisdom can be helpful, but you need to be studying Torah constantly in order to give yourself the proper perspective.

Original post by ATR

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