YeshivaThe torah world Gateway
Beit Midrash
- Family and Society
- Education
- The Education of Children and Students
I recently read an article in a Hebrew journal about Rabbi Aryeh Levin, the great holy man of Jerusalem whose thirtieth yahrzeit was just recently duly noted. The writer of the article, currently an upper echelon administrator in one of the Israeli school systems streams, recounted his experience as a dormitory child in one of Jerusalem’s institutions many decades ago. The food served in the institution was fairly meager and the young boy was always hungry. One day the institution served chocolate pudding and the boy took his portion and wolfed it down and then got back in line and asked for another portion. The server refused his request with a nasty remark. Frustrated and angered the boy then turned over the entire chocolate pudding pot and spilled its contents on the ground. The boy was beaten for the act and the head of the institution publicly reprimanded and humiliated the child. He was told that his eventual fate as to whether he would be expelled from the institution would be decided on the morrow by Rabbi Aryeh, the spiritual mentor of the institution. The child spent a sleepless night weeping over his fate. Next morning he met Rabbi Aryeh who asked him to sit next to him. He asked him "Did you spill over the pot as they said that you did?" The child admitted his guilt. "Will you do such a thing again in the future?" Rabbi Aryeh asked. "No, never again," said the child. Rabbi Aryeh asked him then, "Do you really like chocolate pudding?" "Yes," he answered. Rabbi Aryeh said, "I too love chocolate pudding so I have here two containers of chocolate pudding so let us sit down here together and eat chocolate pudding." At that moment, the educator said, I realized what it means to be a Torah Jew.
School systems the world over answer to governmental standards, teacher unions, parent unions and other assorted groups and personages. All of this layered bureaucracy rarely takes the welfare of the individual student into much consideration. There is no room for chocolate pudding in our school systems. Because of this schools measure their success on the basis of test scores and other objective criteria. But the individual student does not fit neatly into any objective form of criteria. How to reach the individual student and build self-esteem should be the main purpose of education. If that is achieved all of the objective accomplishments of knowledge will also follow. Keep your eye on the ball - on the main purpose that education should achieve.
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Rabbis in Midrash
Lessons
fast navigation
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Realtor’s Fee on Large Commercial Building – part I
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 85031 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: The Goal of an Agricultural Yeshiva – part I
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 263 (address at the laying of the cornerstone of the Yeshiva Chakla’it in Kfar Haroeh)
Re'e NEVER EXTREME EXCEPT ISRAEL
Parshat Re'eh
Judaism is against extremism, so how can we understand the seemingly extreme statements found in our sages in favor of living in the Land of Israel and against living in Chutz laAretz? The article deals with the seeming contradiction between the strength of Free-Will and the strength of being influenced by our surroundings.
Ekev DANCE FOR ISRAEL- FOR YOUR BENEFIT
Parshat Eikev
Description: The 7 Haftarot we read after Tisha B'Av ("Shiva D'Nichemta") surely get us excited that they're coming TRUE, and awaken us to yearn, dance & join the return to Zion! The short article also deals with the problems and solutions facing the American Jewish community as discussed at a recent panel, as well as the question why Jews come from America to Israel to help when we face problems, but Israelis don't come to aid Jews in America when they face anti-Semitism.
P'ninat Mishpat P'ninat Mishpat: Complaints about Contractor’s Work – part II
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
(based on ruling 83037.1 of the Eretz Hemdah-Gazit Rabbinical Courts)
Chemdat Yamim Moreshet Shaul: Twin Foundations
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
Based on Siach Shaul, Pirkei Machshava V’Hadracha p. 690
D'varim Judaism’s Social Vision
Re’eh
Giving is more than an act of generosity—it is an essential part of human dignity that belongs to everyone, rich and poor alike. The ultimate goal of help is to empower others to stand on their own.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 9 - "Seeing is Believing" (parag. 21-30)
These paragraphs elaborate on the theme that seeing and knowing is better than any attempt to prove logically, and begins explaining the difference between Israel and gentiles.
