Classical Form of Jewish Learning in Pairs and Small Groups
A World of Interpretations
Our tradition has understood Torah as multi-vocal and open to a world of interpretation. Rabbi Marc-Alain Ouaknin has written that while most of Western thought is primarily concerned with the ‘Answer’, Jewish thought is preoccupied with the ‘Question’. Judaism, through the study of our sacred texts, affirms the dialectic, a search for clarification in a world of uncertainty. Jewish study is all about struggle, searching and questioning.
The Methodology of Jewish Learning
1. Contrast the Greek notion of the university with the Jewish notion of the Beit Midrash (the study hall). In the university, a student is lectured on the Truth. In the Beit Midrash, students argue over a text that has many opinions. The truth emerges for Jews only out of the dialectic of the argument, only from the debates between students, and between students and teachers. Think of how important questions are in our tradition. The Talmud itself begins with a question ("At what time may one recite the shema?") The Passover seder can only take place in response to the four questions ("Why is this night different from all other nights?"). Even two Jews who know all the laws of Passover are obligated to recite the four questions, because the rabbis understood that questioning is the only way we learn.
2. “Torah is acquired only in a group.” (Babylonian Talmud Berakhot 63b). In a tradition that honors multiple interpretations it makes sense that the same tradition honors and encourages cooperative learning in pairs and small groups. This interpersonal learning is called Havruta.
Havruta comes from the word, ‘Haver’, which in Hebrew means friend. A famous rabbinic texts states: “Hence, say the sages, a person should acquire a ‘Haver’ for everything: for reading Scripture with him, studying Mishnah with him, eating with him, drinking with him, and disclosing all his secrets to him. (Sifre Deuteronomy #305) Studying together is one of ways we build friendship and fellowship in Jewish tradition. The tradition of group text study fosters the exchange of ideas, insights, and knowledge as well informal sharing and trust building.
How do We Study a Jewish Text?
Our first approach might be to determine what we can learn from the text. Even those texts which reflect an historical reality different from our own will have something to teach us about our lives.
Second, What is the most straightforward way of understanding this text in its original context? Transport yourself to the time which produced these words. Try to reconstruct the life of our people who produced this text. Look at the language of the text.
Third, look at the text existentially. How does it have meaning? How might this text apply to your life? Does it contain wisdom that illuminates or insight that clarifies? Does the text move you or trouble you? Does the text raise more questions?
Fourth, does the text lead to or influence action? Are you moved to respond? Would you change your behavior or priorities because of this text?
- Find a Havruta partner. Do not form groups larger than four to maximize participation.
- Jewish tradition places high value on the oral reading of texts. Thus in Havruta it is preferable to read the texts out loud to each other. Turns are taken as one reads through the materials.
- Any Havruta partner can raise questions at any time.
- The Rabbi of the Beit Midrash is always present during Havruta study for questions and clarification.
- If you finish early, join another group in progress and share your wisdom. At the end of Havruta study the larger group will convene for a shiur-a lesson by the Rabbi or teacher. This is a time to test your reading with that of the teacher. It is appropriate to challenge the teacher’s reading and to ask further questions on the text.
Terms:
Beit Midrash: House of Study or House of the Book
Havruta: Study of Holy Texts in Pairs or Small Study Groups
Torah she’Bichtav: Written Tradition (5 Books of Moses)
Torah She’ba’al Peh: Oral Tradition (Rabbinical Literature)
Shi’ur: Teaching by the Rabbi or Educator that follows Havruta study Seder: The period of Havruta learning for that precedes a Shi’ur.
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