Igros Moshe (YD IV #36.10) Question: Is there an obligation to have competent Poskim for all Issues? Is there an obligation of yeshiva students to acknowledge the importance of practical halacha? Answer There is definitely an inherent part of the mitzva of Torah study to know how to make proper rulings and this obligation applies in general to the Jewish people in ever generation so that there be many great scholars that know the entire Torah including how to make proper ruling even on issues that are not relevant to their time - even matters of Kodshim and Taharos as we see from the Rambam who discusses Kadshim, Pigul, Taharos, Kiddush HaChodesh, Kings and Sanhedrin. However in reality this obligation is fulfilled only by a small number of people who can be considered Torah scholars. It is thus necessary to determine who actually has this obligation. It is clearly on certain yeshiva students who are recognized for their great abilities that they must realize this great obligation. That is why I have written about the prohibition of secular studies for yeshiva students even if not involving heresy or coed education. All their time and energy needs to be devoted to becoming great in Torah and not be concerned with parnossa
An obligation that has not been fulfilled
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