Yaakov,

I agree that it is accessible, and there is a great deal of learning going on, but who's going to teach you to think counterintuitively, which is one of the key skills in learning? Who can teach someone the various ways to 'fill in the shorthand' style of writing? There is that horrible anti-semitic screed about the evils of the Talmud--but they get there by applying linear logic, by removing quotes from the enormous context within each and every word sits. In other words, they treat the text just like they would treat any other text. And this is no ordinary text, the Talmud.

So many of the lessons even taught by rabbis, Let's Make This Easy, just focus on the facts on the page. What did Reish Lakish say to Abaye, as if that's the main thrust.

I'm pretty sure YaladNeo was referring to Gentiles. In every conversation I've had with Christians, the Talmud and Mishnah are complete mysteries. I'm curious what would happen if they began inviting knowledgeable Jews to their study sessions to discuss the Talmud. And I'm also wondering if qualified teachers would consent to go. Who knows?