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I find it to be very impersonal, unemotional, and even uninspiring to teach human beings in this fashion on a regular basis. It has been very stressful to me every time I conduct the Zoom lecture and even though I am flattered and pleased that many people have thanked me and even complimented me on those classes, I feel that they were an awkward substitute for the real thing; talking to people directly and in person.
Our synagogue here in Jerusalem has remained open and operating despite the severe restrictions – a limit of only 10 people in the synagogue area at one time – imposed by the government. I am a law-abiding citizen, but I thought that the number chosen was rather an arbitrary one and not really based on experience, scientific data or even good common sense.
During this period of time, I've been able to discuss a total real thought nightly after the prayer service of the afternoon and before the prayer service of the evening to the 10 people who always miraculously showed up to allow us to have a quorum for services. This short 15 to 20-minute class in front of live people has refreshed me in a psychological fashion that I never really appreciated before the pandemic struck. And it caused me to think how the classes on Zoom, even though they were longer and perhaps stronger in content, were never as satisfying to me as this nightly exercise of speaking to and learning with live people.
I have taken an anecdotal survey in my own family, of the many who are involved in education and classroom teaching. Universally, they have reported to me that they are all zoomed out. They long to be able to return to the classroom and teach and help live children and engage students who have personalities, and needs. Studies have shown that except for the very highest echelon of students who are self-motivated and intellectually curious on their own, most students have suffered a drop in scholastic performance and enthusiasm over the past months when they have been locked out of school and forced to study and learn by Zoom.
It seems abundantly clear that there is no real substitute for personal teacher – student instruction. The rabbis of the Talmud characterized this best as they usually do when they said that the student’s eyes should see the teacher not only when he is teaching but throughout one's life. Recalling the actuality of the presence of the teacher, the subtle nuances that make up much of our educational reservoir, is really one of the keys to a lasting lifelong educational experience.
So, I have decided to embark on a series of lecture programs that will be delivered live, under the guidelines of the government, in our synagogue. To a great extent, I am also all zoomed out, however I intend to resume classes on Sunday and Thursday as I have done over the past number of months. But I hope to be able to deliver my lecture series live in front of an audience, no matter how small that actual audience may in fact be.
I will naturally record my lectures and they will be available to those who wish to obtain them. But I have also found that to my amazement that listening to CDs that are purely audio in nature has proven more effective than hearing those lectures on Zoom or even on video. Radio was a successful medium because it allowed for the human imagination of the listener to participate in the event. There is no room for the listener's imagination or even individual contemplation when hearing a Zoom lecture.
I realize that all of this is very opinionated on my part but when one reaches my stage in life one is entitled to express one's opinions without too much hesitation. I have never been culturally correct, for, again, in my opinion that is in opposition to Judaism and Jewish thought and values. So, I have taken the liberty of sharing with you the fact that I am really all zoomed out.
Shabbat shalom
Berel Wein
Rabbis in Midrash
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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.
Ein Aya Various Universal Stages of the Geula Process
Rav Kook examines the various stages of redemption, explaining how (in addition to the obvious oft-mentioned stages of ingathering the exiles, reviving the Hebrew language, army, state etc.) the messianic dream of world prosperity, the State of Israel and world unity can and are realistically and logically gradually coming true.
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 8- "Answering Questions on the Kuzari's Proof from Mass Revelation
How do we know that the "claim" of mass revelation to 2,000,000 witnesses at Mt. Sinai is really true? This important class answers all of the questions skeptics ask about this claim of the Kuzari.
Ein Aya Armies Still Necessary for Balance & the War Against Wars
Rav Kook explains why the world was originally divided into the various seemingly contradicting ideologies and cultures, in order to develop each one respectively. Swords or armies symbolize how each respective ideology defends themselves, as well as deters their opposing ideologies and cultures. On the other hand, the messianic era will be one of peace, and Rav Kook explains the transition to that stage, which mankind is already undergoing.
The Land of Israel LGBT'S IN ISRAEL
The question was asked, how can one make Aliyah with the LGBT parades?
Kuzari -Rabbi Ari Shvat Kuzari class 7 - Five Accumulative Proofs of G-d
As a preparation for the Kuzari's classic proof of G-d from the mass-revelation at Sinai, we start here with 5 other directions to strengthen our belief which also contribute to what the Kuzari will present as well.
Ein Aya Muscle & Meaning: The Dual Nature of Gevurah (Physical Strength)
Is physical strength and fitness a necessity or an ideal? Although it if often totally overlooked among topics of Judaism, Rav Kook writes that it clearly is also a necessity to deter the many enemies of Israel, but even in Y'mot HaMashiach, in the Messianic era, to a certain extent, it's ideal continues even after our enemies will have been finished off.
