Shainy’s grandfather, Rabbi Avraham Karp was a venerable scholar who taught Talmud to generations of students, young and old. He was an extraordinary teacher and the recordings of his Talmud classes continue to attract a following over twenty years after his passing. Once when one of his students was visiting him at home, a Jew who had recently immigrated from the Soviet Union arrived for his regular Hebrew reading session with Rabbi Karp. He never learned to read Hebrew in Communist Russia and was eager to make up for the lost opportunity. The visiting student asked Rabbi Karp if it was really necessary for a sage of his caliber to tutor this gentleman in a subject even a child could teach. Pointing to the large Taludic tome on his table and then to the Hebrew Alphabet booklet, Rabbi Karp passionately answered, “This is Torah and this is Torah!” In this week’s parsha Va’eschanan Moshe teaches the Jewish people the “Shema Yisrael.” The paragraph of six verses recited twice daily which serves as an essential meditation to keep us focused on our relationship with G-d. Torah study is the foundation of this relationship and the “Shema” communicates this important mitzvah to us in a seemingly roundabout manner: “You shall teach them (the lessons of the Torah) thoroughly to your children.” True, in order to teach Torah you must first study Torah yourself, but why could the “Shema” not simply state “You shall study Torah” and then add a few words about the importance of education? Even more perplexing, Maimonides and the Code of Jewish Law both begin the section about the laws of Torah study with the obligation to teach children before recording the details of one's personal study obligations. Doesn’t personal study come first? Children are impressionable and open to new vistas. Capable of absorbing what they are taught without bias or agenda. They are curious, available and excited to learn new things. Torah study, at all ages and stages in life, must be the same. When studying the Hebrew Alphabet, at any age and stage in life, one must accept the information and learn how to conform with the ground rules of Hebrew reading. The same is true about all levels of Torah scholarship. Even Torah innovation has ground rules and parameters. Instead of forcing Torah to conform with our biases and agendas we must allow Torah to enlighten us and inform our worldview. As the famous Chassidic saying goes, “You studied Torah - but what did Torah teach you?” Torah study can and should always be a youthful experience. Through surrendering yourself to the Torah lessons you learn, you’ll be uplifted, enlightened and inspired.
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