Voices in Jewish Education

Individual Approach

Our tradition offers strategies to bring excitement and meaning into Jewish education.

Q: What will it take to make Jewish
learning exciting, meaningful and
ongoing for all ages?

RABBI DAVID SHAPERO

Special to the Jewish News

7

he famous advice of King
Solomon presents a time-
less formula for success in
Jewish learning: "By edu-
cating the youth according to his
way, even when he ages he will not
stray." (Proverbs 22:6)
Individualizing education to rec-
ognize the unique gifts and chal-
lenges of each personality, both
young and old, can result in greater learning
and the fullest benefit to society.

Talmudic Wisdom

The Talmud states that people only truly learn
what they enjoy. There are two forms of excite-
ment regarding learning. One form of excite-
ment is merely a passive reaction to the external
aspects of style or content of the subject and/or
the teacher. What is more productive is the
excitement that is generated internally, derived
from the feeling that the subject being learned is
an intellectual challenge and cannot be under-
stood without the active participation of the
student. The development of new skills, not just
the acquisition of new information, is also a
powerful motivator.
The proper study of the Talmud includes:

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Learning is usually
most meaningful
when focused on
relevant practical
matters or personal
character and
spiritual
development.

• the constant use and comparison
of both Hebrew and Aramaic
grammar and vocabulary
• application of extensive logical
principles, the familiarity with
which has been statistically associ-
ated with better than average
achievement in mathematics, law
and the sciences
• biographical, historical and geo-
graphical perspectives of over 100
generations spanning 33 centuries
in every major Western society
since the dawn of recorded history.
Each lesson can open multiple,
undreamed-of horizons, empower-
ing the student of Talmud to
explore far beyond what has actually been
taught. The sense of authenticity and intellec-
tual honesty reflected by a sincere expression
of, "the books are open," invites the student to
achieve mastery and even make original con-
tributions to an unbroken chain of knowledge
connecting our distant past with the present
and on to the future.
By acquiring the skills necessary to main-
tain firsthand contact with the original
sources, the student is able to initiate a
meaningful discussion almost at random
with any Jew [who also studies] from any
place in the world, reviewing, sharing and
applying the fruits of their efforts. In all of
these respects, our Torah learning can equal
or exceed our secular interests, with excite-
ment, motivation and accomplishment to
spare!

