Learning with a Rabbi

My first hevruta (study partner) tried out four different yeshivot before finding the right one. In each case, the learning approach of the rosh yeshiva was the determinative factor. The learning approach that most suited my hevruta was a very deliberative and careful working through the gemara, not moving on until the material had been thoroughly grasped.

It was no accident that he and I learned together the same way. We didn't cover a lot of ground, but the ground we covered was really covered.

I wonder what would have happened to my hevruta if he had never found that rosh yeshiva? More relevant for us now, what about Messianic Jews who wish to learn seriously in a traditional setting or privately from a rabbi? How do MJs find a rabbi whose approach to learning is compatible with theirs?

Four Generations - Part 2

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Messiah Yeshua. And the things you have heard me say among many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

I previously blogged about the trans-generational aspect of this verse. Now I want to look at it from another angle, one that’s equally important in passing it on through “four generations.”  

The translation I’m using here is a bit different from the one I used last time. In that post I used a translation of a certain phrase that isn’t exactly right. The idea that Shaul taught Timothy “in the presence of many witnesses,” which I used last time, sounds as if a bunch of people were standing by and watching the scene.  Now, does this make sense?

A New MJ Blog

Check out a new MJ blog, "The Jewish Carpenter: An exploration of the weekly parasha from a Messianic perspective. We delve into ancient and modern Jewish sources to bring out hidden meanings within the text and how to apply them to our life." Check it out at  http://thejewishcarpenter613.blogspot.com/.

Four Generations

My first mentor used to say, "If what we learn isn't passed along to others, we're like the Dead Sea—rich in minerals, but can't support life." (This was long before I read Avot 1.1.) So I suppose it was no accident that when I first read 2 Timothy, these words jumped off the page:

You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Messiah Yeshua. And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. (2 Tim. 2:1-2).

Shaul envisions four generations passing on the apostolic mesoret (tradition): (1) Shaul, (2) Timothy, (3) those whom Timothy will teach, and (4) those who would be taught by Timothy's students.

New Learning Circles

Jweekly.com has article about Keva, a new non-profit in the San Franciso area. The article touches on three distinct trends: disaffection with current institutions, yearning for community, and a focus on Jewish texts. These trends are thoroughly relevant to Messianic Judaism. Here’s an excerpt:

A number of studies indicate that unaffiliated 20- and 30-something Jews . . . are turned off by conventional Jewish institutions and want to create their own Jewish vision of community.

Halakhic Learning/Living

Ben Ehrenfeld at the Living Torah blog, posts about the need for halakhic learning in our movement:

I have to confess that, by and large, the Messianic Jewish community is lacking in its pursuit of halakhic thinking/living (I am including myself in this critique...I have a long way to go). Even among those Jewish Yeshua followers that engage Jewish life in the context of our people's developed tradition, it normally stops shy of transforming our largely non-halakhic culture. So, I suggest we begin where this way of thinking began, where our sages began: Learning. We need to develop learning cultures that transform the way we think and live. there is much more to do than this, but I want to do my part in promoting this.

Read more here. and start your learning here.

"The future of Jewish life . . .

". . . is dependent upon Jews - not just rabbis - taking hold of the rich, challenging, surprising, and inspiring heritage that makes up our texts and traditions," Yes! Read more at Yinon. 

Learning Communities

One of Hillel’s most famous sayings is, "If I am not for myself, who will be for me? And when I am [only] for myself, what am 'I'? And if not now, when?"(Perkei Avot 1:14). His three questions have great relevance for the new Messianic Jewish learning.

Studying With Carl

(I asked my friend and hevruta Peter if he'd like to respond to yesterday's post. Here it is:)

One of the nicest things about studying with Carl is that we can say anything to each other, ask any question, without offending the other person, because we both respect each other. This is key.  Another nice thing, is that Carl has never tried to impose his own beliefs on me.  Yet we can speak frankly and honestly about our own faith experiences and struggles.