Gentlemen, I stand by may statement that most of “learning” is rote memory.
DY, Lomus is certainly a a part of learning and a reasonably rigorous (but not overly so) intellectual exercise, but it’s hard to do Brisker synthesis without memorizing the shitos that you’re synthesizing. As far as MAS”G. I did review the sugya. You’re right, but I thought I’d just throw the idea out there.
PBA, I’m not sure what you’re talking about. My opinion is based on my experiences in the Beis Medrash. Perhaps your experience was different and that forms your opinion. I have opinions and you have opinions. You know what they say about opinions.
My basic point is that there is no physical or mental reason that a woman could not attain the same levels of Torah scholarship as any man. The issue is solely whether and to what extent a woman may learn or be taught Torah and what, if any, schar she receives for doing so.