Editing Horayot (section)

==== Sinai ====
However, the Rebbe raises a difficulty, as it is stated in the Gemara that although "whoever sees Reish Lakish in the study hall, it is as if he sees one uprooting mountains," nevertheless, whoever sees Rabbi Meir in the study hall, it is as if he sees one uprooting mountain ranges and grinding them against each other. Thus, it seems that not only did Rabbi Meir also possess the quality of a "mountain uprooter," but he was at an extremely high level - an "uprooter of mountain ranges." It is stated in Tractate Eruvin that the sages could not fully grasp his reasoning because of its profound depth, and elsewhere it is stated that he had a student who could declare a sheretz (ritually impure creature) pure with 150 reasons.

Therefore, it is necessary to say the opposite - that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel had the quality of "Sinai," and he claimed that this was a greater quality than the "mountain uprooter" quality of Rabbi Meir, and this was the dispute between him and the sages. This also explains why he specifically did not know Tractate Uktzin, because it is stated regarding Rav Yehuda that his main area of study was Seder Nezikin, and when he would study Tractate Uktzin, he would say, "Here we see the discussions of Rav and Shmuel." From this we see that the main aspect and emphasis of Tractate Uktzin is its analytical part, and it was this aspect of "mountain uprooter" that Rabban Shimon ben Gamliel specifically lacked.

The Rebbe further explains that the question of whether a "Sinai" is preferable or a "mountain uprooter" is the same well-known investigation of quality versus quantity - which is preferable.