Editing Pilpul (section)

== The Advantage of Pilpul ==
Through pilpul, one reaches a deeper understanding in learning; through it, one can reach a conclusion according to the truth of the Torah, and new laws are innovated. This is the reason why halacha is decided according to the Babylonian Talmud rather than the Jerusalem Talmud, since the Jerusalem Talmud was written in a style of established laws, unlike the Babylonian, which is "longer and more explanatory" - including more questions and discussions until reaching a conclusion.

In Tractate Shabbat, a statement of Rabbi Yosi ben Kisma is brought: "Two are better than three," meaning that the two legs of a young man are preferable to the three legs of an old man (with his cane). According to the simple meaning of the statement, this is difficult to understand, for certainly the healthy legs of a young person are preferable to those of an old person who walks with a cane.

The Rebbe explains that his intention is to emphasize the advantage that exists in the days of youth when learning is done through pilpul, compared to learning in old age when the minds of Torah scholars become settled, and they learn with a settled mind rather than through pilpul. The intention is not that wisdom is added to them, but only that they gain more mental composure. And this advantage of a young person is preferable even to the other advantage that an old person has - his friends and students who make him "wiser than all."