Education - Staff Conference 2010
Mishna, Pirkei Avot 4:1
| Translation |
Original |
| Ben Zoma said: Who is he that is wise? He who learns from every man, as it is said: From all have I gained understanding. [AJWS translation] |
בן זומא אומר איזהו חכם הלומד מכל אדם שנאמר (תהלים קי"ט) מכל מלמדי השכלתי.
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Suggested Discussion Questions
1. Who are the players in this text – seen and unseen?
2. What power dynamics are at play?
Mishna, Pirkei Avot 1:2
| Translation |
Original |
| Shimon the Righteous was a member of the Great Assembly. He used to say, "By three things the world exists: On the Torah, on worship and on acts of loving kindness." [Soncino translation] |
שמעון הצדיק היה משירי כנסת הגדולה הוא היה אומר על שלשה דברים העולם עומד על התורה ועל העבודה ועל גמילות חסדים:
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Suggested Discussion Questions
2. Define "Torah" in this context?
3. What is the role of Torah in the existance of the world?
BabylonianTalmud, Brachot 17a (Rava)
| Translation |
Original |
| A famous saying of Rava: “The purpose of learning is repentance and good deeds.” [AJWS translation] |
מרגלא בפומיה דרבא: תכלית חכמה תשובה ומעשים טובים.
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Suggested Discussion Questions
1. What does repentance mean in this context?
2. How is repentance connected to good deeds?
Babylonian Talmud, Kiddushin 40b
| Translation |
Original |
| Rabbi Tarfon and some elders were reclining in an upper chamber in the house of Nitza in Lod when this question came up: Which is greater, study or action? Rabbi Tarfon spoke up and said: Action is greater. Rabbi Akiva spoke up and said: Study is greater. The others then spoke up and said: Study is greater because it leads to action. [Soncino translation] |
וכבר היה רבי טרפון וזקנים מסובין בעלית בית נתזה בלוד, נשאלה שאילה זו בפניהם: תלמוד גדול או מעשה גדול? נענה רבי טרפון ואמר: מעשה גדול, נענה ר"ע ואמר: תלמוד גדול, נענו כולם ואמרו: תלמוד גדול, שהתלמוד מביא לידי מעשה.
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Suggested Discussion Questions
1. What "action" is being discussed here?
2. How does this text relate to education?
Proverbs 22:6
| Translation |
Original |
| Train up a child in the way he should go, and even when he is old, he will not depart from it. [JPS] |
חֲנֹךְ לַנַּעַר עַל פִּי דַרְכּוֹ גַּם כִּי יַזְקִין לֹא יָסוּר מִמֶּנָּה:
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Suggested Discussion Questions
1. Is this an effective model for education?
2. Do we hope that our children "not depart" from the education, or training, that we provide?
3. What are the responsibilities of Jewish educators in teaching children a sense of social responsibility?
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