The way to learn Torah that I was taught in Shar Yashuv [Far Rockaway, NY] was to not spend time on introductions. Rather the approach was to get into Gemara and Tosphot.
That approach apparently helped me a few year later when I was accepted at the Mir in NY.
This went against the grain and desire of most of the new students that were more interested in introductory material.
My impression is that that approach [of Shar Yashuv] was correct. And that is what I think applies to anyone.
The degree this was taken in Shar Yashuv was in fact even more Litvak than most other Litvak places in that they did not learn Musar. And there was a general disapproval of signs of overt devoutness.
[Looking back however I think a drop of Musar would perhaps have been a good idea.]
That approach apparently helped me a few year later when I was accepted at the Mir in NY.
This went against the grain and desire of most of the new students that were more interested in introductory material.
My impression is that that approach [of Shar Yashuv] was correct. And that is what I think applies to anyone.
The degree this was taken in Shar Yashuv was in fact even more Litvak than most other Litvak places in that they did not learn Musar. And there was a general disapproval of signs of overt devoutness.
[Looking back however I think a drop of Musar would perhaps have been a good idea.]
