They learned how to reason by using the logical system of rabbinical debate included in the Talmud’s pages, called in Yiddish pilpul.    From Wordnik.com.  [Emancipation] Reference

I believe that Yaffe's vanishingly-fine distinction would qualify as a good example of Talmudic pilpul.    From Wordnik.com.  [Dawg's Blawg] Reference

I did, indeed, write that Talmudic scholars were more aggressive in their pilpul than scientists, but it is Dorn, not I, who regards that as "singing the praises" of the former.    From Wordnik.com.  [Science & 'The Demon-Haunted World': An Exchange] Reference

It's as if he were fully embracing the uncertainty principle of modern physics, but there's something of the Talmudic pilpul at work here, too.    From Wordnik.com.  [Articles] Reference

Safer not only uses this multitextual mode of construction to get at an essential Jewishness, he brings it to life in other ways, such as including a few moments of intense debate, or pilpul.    From Wordnik.com.  [Culturebot] Reference

The real Talmudists, then, not just the literal ones, but also those of us who apply the same pilpul - or method of intricately examining every iota of meaning in a given text - in academia or in journalism, in court or from the legislator's bench, must be warned.    From Wordnik.com. Reference

The pair parsed their arguments until they sounded like Solomon Maimon’s description of Talmud students using pilpul to argue “without end or aim.”.    From Wordnik.com.  [Emancipation] Reference

"However, since pilpul is a fine, hairline distinction the rabbi has used for a couple of thousand years to prove a point his common sense has already told him is right, this serves the purpose – and in the present case I have converted into a blessing something that has to be tolerated anyway.    From Wordnik.com.  [Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry]

Oh, I do so love a bit of pilpul!.    From Wordnik.com.  [On Thursday, the Legg report will be published along with...] Reference

pilpul debate method of, 120, 218.    From Wordnik.com.  [Emancipation] Reference

Westboro pilpul.    From Wordnik.com.  [Articles] Reference

pilpul, 120, 218.    From Wordnik.com.  [Emancipation] Reference

"That was a terrible pilpul.".    From Wordnik.com.  [Saturday the Rabbi Went Hungry]

And that etymology for "falafel" means that it's related to "pilpul".    From Wordnik.com.  [languagehat.com: FAJITAS AND FALAFEL.] Reference