What does it mean to "know Shas"?

Question

I've seen many sefarim that talk about finishing Shas, simply put, going through the sugyos and understanding them, even if you forget it. But what does it mean to "know Shas"? Does that mean I know word for word by heart? Is it the Concepts you know really well? Is it the tosfosim you've got down pat. What does it mean when one says, he "knows Shas". Sources Please

This depends on WHO you say it to, so I can say that about myself to a beginner, but not to a Yeshivah Bochur. — Al Berko, Mar 05 '19 at 19:07
בקיאות is to memorize the text and to recite whole passages. Similar to Pshat in Torah. עיון is to study the sugyot until you think you understand what's it about. For example, most guys in our Kollel study currently Kiddushin at about a Daf per day (Bkius), when me and my Chevrutah spend about 3-4- weeks per one sugya (say 6-10 lines). — Al Berko, Mar 05 '19 at 19:12
Very related: https://judaism.stackexchange.com/questions/88768/what-does-knowing-the-whole-torah-means — Al Berko, Mar 05 '19 at 19:13
If it helps to better understand @Al's comment, בקיאות means - "expertise" - probably the concept of developing a skill in the studying method as well as confidence in overall understanding of the subject matter. עיון means "examination" or "research" - it usually refers to a more in-depth study of researching all the angles of the subject matter including reading the commentaries and various translations and opinions of the subject. It may include researching of your or your chevruta's supplemental questions as well. — DanF, Mar 05 '19 at 23:00

score 3 · Answer 1 · answered Mar 05 '19 at 18:59

Yeshivish has many ambiguous terms. This is one of them. I've heard this used by yeshiva students as well as rabbis / teachers and from what I can tell, there's no consistency in its meaning.

It could mean:

You've memorized all of Sha"s. Not necessarily word for word (though, I met one person years ago who, as far as about 50 people could tell, he really did do that.), but you know where things are. I.e., if someone mentioned a topic, you know exactly which page of which masechta (tractate) to find it.
You know and understand the various sugyot ("topics" out of lack of a better term) in sha"s. This includes all the arguments and discussions as well as all or most of the "major" commentaries explanations (Rash"i, Tosfot and perhaps a few of the other notable ones such as Ras"h, Ri"f, etc.) I've heard this idea used to mean every masechta or most of them.

There are probably other explanations of this term, and others are free to add or edit this list. However, the above are the main two that I can think of, now.

Incidentally, there is a book called "Yeshivish". I don't know if this term is mentioned there; I have the book home, and I'll try to find it. But, in general, there is no official "source" for yeshivish terminology. Also, the language (according to the book it is considered a "language" as it is a form of communication mainly within Jewish learning circles and mainly in U.S. and a few other English-speaking countries.)

It's just if it's about knowing where things are, you can technically memorize the HaMafteach, you don't need to go through all of Shas to do that. Therefore I like your second answer better. That it's about understanding the "topics" with the underlining arguments amongst the main Rishonim. Thank you @DanF — Moshe, Mar 05 '19 at 19:06
@Moshe I tend to agree with your opinion. But compare your question with someone who says, "I know Annie Zemirot (or whomever.)" Do you just know who she is, do you know what she looks like, do you know her intimately, or do you know her personality? It's a similar type of vague expression. — DanF, Mar 05 '19 at 19:18

What does it mean to "know Shas"?

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