This paper is a survey of
sources in Jewish law from the
earliest to the most modern on the topic of secular studies. Throughout
the generations, there has been a serious legal debate as to the permissibility of the study of
secular knowledge within the confines of traditional Jewish law (halakhah). The paper makes no judgment on either side. It is only a presentation of the sources and an analysis of the various opposing viewpoints on the issue.
Earliest sources are from the Bible, latest sources from the 20th century.