Talmudic hairsplitting and skepticism

[meliss]

"Finkelstein, an Orthodox Jew with a bent for Talmudic hairsplitting and skepticism, who would later become a prominent district court judge, examined the evidence and felt that something was wrong."
Hi, I wonder whether the adjective "Talmudic" refers to both qualities, hairsplitting and skepticism, or just to hairsplitting.
Source: Rise and Kill First by Ronen Bergman.

 

[tedmc]

If the adjective "Talmudic" applies just to hairsplitting, the writer could have avoided the ambiguity by writing "skepticism and Talmudic hairsplitting".

 

[Tarheel]

I don't disagree with Ted. Nevertheless, I see it as Talmudic hairsplitting AND skepticism. Do you know what the Talmud is?

 

[meliss]

Do you know what the Talmud is?

Yes, I do. But I didn't know about its skepticism.

 

[Tarheel]

The Talmud doesn't have skepticism or hairsplitting. Only people can do either one.

 

[Piscean]

Talmudicin American English​

(tɑːlˈmudɪk, tæl-)
ADJECTIVE
1.
of or pertaining to the Talmud
2.
characterized by or making extremely fine distinctions; overly detailed or subtle; hairsplitting

https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/talmudic

 

[jutfrank]

I think Talmudic is meant just about hairsplitting, not skepticism.