by Rabbi Yair Kahn

The issue of how Torah she-ba'al Peh should be taught stirs up intense passionate debate. This attests to the almost universal agreement, that the issue of Talmud study is not merely a pragmatic educational one, but touches a very sensitive and critical religious nerve. In recent years, this debate has surfaced in reaction to the general dissatisfaction with the current situation regarding Talmud education in high schools.

In this essay, Rabbi Kahn explores the nature of Torah she-ba'al Peh, and how that ought to influence the manner it which it is taught and studied. He concludes by outlining a proposal for implementing his ideas in high schools.

Rabbi Yair Kahn is a Ram at Yeshivat Har Etzion in Alon Shvut. A member of ATID's faculty, Rabbi Kahn recently prepared and edited Rabbi Soloveitcik's shiurim on tefillin, stam, and tzitzit, which was published as Shiurei haGrid (Mossad HaRav Kook, 2004).

Click here to download the essay (RTF).

The opinions expressed here are those of the author, and do not necessarily represent the thought of ATID. They are presented here out of a conviction that compelling ideas, frankly stated, are an important element in engaging the community of Jewish educators in critical thought about our holy work.