Dear Rav Kornfeld:
The Gemara states here that a person should ''learn only M'Makom Sh'libo Chafetz.'' Acc. to Maharsha, this means from whichever Mesechta one wishes.
This seems to warrant some elaboration. If one would only learn and focus on those mesechtos or sugyos that he wishes, a significant amount of Shas would probably be left out. Essentially, one is expected to learn Kol HaTorah Kula, or at least all of Shas. Could you or one of your colleages possibly enlighten us on what Chazal are telling us in light of one's obligations.
Thank you,
Yitzchok
Rashi deals with this point. The Gemara is not written from the perspective of the student, but from that of his mentor. If the Rebbi wants his student to succeed in his studies, he must made make every effort to make it easier for the student to retain the lessons. One of these efforts is seeking a Maseches for which the Talmid has an appetite.
The student, of course, has the obligation to learn the entire body of the Torah. His preferences, then, will generally be limited to which Maseches he wants to learn first , since he certainly wants to learn all of the Torah, at some point.
This is implied in the verse from which the Gemara learns this principle: "b'Toras Hash-m Cheftzo" -- "his desire is in the Torah of Hash-m." How do we see anything in this verse about teaching what a person desires or about retaining what a person desires? The answer is that the verse implies a Talmid Chacham arouses a strong desire for learning whatever he learns -- so that he should learn it better. That is why the Talmid Chacham is described as "b'Toras Hash-m Cheftzo."
Best wishes,
M. Kornfeld