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Beautiful article, thanks. As a Talmudic student who also appreciates "secular" wisdom (I'm using the quotes like you did!), it's heartening to see your emphasis on how these early scholars were first and foremost experts in the Talmud's intricate legal systems, and then poets and liturgists. They weren't just lofty souls flying high in heaven, but extremely practical and human folks.

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Another fantastic artical. I'm a particular fan of the intelectual credit you give to these weighty teachers and thinkers. Its unfotunately comon to hear people discussing our historical sages as if they were incapable of following basic logic. These were highly intelligent and broad individuals who deserve to be revered as such.

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