It is not so improper to say that most of learning is memorization. Not memorizing words that you don’t understand, but if you can memorize the Shakil V’tarya of a lot of Blatt Gemara (or memorize whole sections of Rambam, Shulchan Aruch, etc.) you end up being appreciated a lot more than the guy who can make Chakiras like R’ Chaim. In Yeshivos we enjoy and respect the mental backflips that we can do with Rishonim, but at the end of the day the Pashtan who knows Shas often receives just as, if not more, respect than the Lamdan.
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