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October 19, 2008

Is Torah Knowledge Enough to Qualify for Jewish Education?

General Jewish Thought Jewish Education

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Knowing vs. Learning: Which Takes Precedence? (2001)

Education is the lifeblood of Judaism. "The study of Torah outweighs them all.[1] There are several mitzvot which the Sages said "outweigh them all," but clearly Torah study has the greatest place of eminence in the hierarchy of Jewish values. R. Hayyim Volozhiner taught in his Nefesh HaHayyim that it is not that Torah study is on one side, while all the other mitzvot are on the other side, and Torah study is heavier than the others. Rather, Torah study is the entity from which all others radiate.[2] They are the part, of which Torah study is the whole.[3] This gives Torah study a completely different slant. It is not something apart from mitzvot. It is the origin of all mitzvot. Torah study (limmud) is exceedingly important, and so is Torah knowledge (yediah). The Sages asked, "Which is greater, talmud (study) or ma'aseh (action)?" They concluded, "Study is greater, since it leads to action.[4] One who does not know Torah cannot practice any of the mitzvot. That is why it says, "An ignoramus cannot be pious."5 An ignoramus cannot know that which he needs to practice as a Jew. Torah knowledge has a clear place in the general structure of the values of Torah.The question is: which is more important, Torah study or Torah knowledge? Is there more importance to learning as a process, or knowing as a passive achievement?If Torah knowledge is the totality and ultimate aim of Torah, then it might be possible sometime in the future to fulfill one's obligation of Torah study by purchasing a microchip that contains all 400 books of responsa from the Bar Ilan CD-ROM and implanting it in one's brain. One would have Torah knowledge. What more would one need? There are other shortcuts which technology might invent, by which one could achieve a great deal of knowledge without spending terribly much energy in acquiring that knowledge. So the question is: which will it be?II. Judaism vs. The GreeksThis question has certain clear philosophic underpinnings. It goes back to the days w…
Torah Study Jewish Education

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Spirituality (2006)

TuM. I spk as advoct of TuM. I confess TuM by itslf = intellcly excitg and cultrly broadenng – But incomplete. Need t add St-Isr; באל"ח; and Spy. W-o it – dry/passionlss/w-o innr exprnc. Stdnts' complnt: Study Talm etc, OK, but need "food f soul." מסילת ישרים – possibly that Torah study is a compulsive immersion which reflects a need to avoid confronting the self (from Elyakim Krumbein, prep'd f Orthx Forum," March '06)
General Jewish Thought Jewish Education

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Hashkafah of Kiruv (1922)

Rabbi Lamm considers philosophical aspects of kiruv rechokim.
General Jewish Thought Jewish Education