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Dear Shalom and list,
I have an educational question to ask. I mean this question purely from a
pedagogic perspective although obviously it deals with greater issues
about women's learning which are a raging debate in the Torah world today.
I am teaching Gemara Kiddushin to a group of very weak students. Many come
from non-observant homes some originally coming from public school
backgrounds. They are in eleventh grade and are not really motivated. My
goal is to give them inspiration not lomdus or skills. Also importantly
this class is co-ed with about 50/50 boy girl split. That is all of the
background, now here is the question.
I am up to the gemara Kiddushin Daf 29B where it discusses why boys are
obligated to be taught and to learn Torah while girls are not. My problem
is how do I teach this gemara to my class? This Gemara is fairly
straightforward in its style and structure but the ideas expressed are
going to very disturbing to say the least. I think it would be
irresponsible for me to teach this gemara without presenting supplementary
information. I have most of the major sources on the issue from Haishah
Vehamitzvot by Ellenson. What should I do? Should I skip this gemara and
not even get into these issues with students whose attachment to Shemirat
Torah Umitzvot is tenuous to say the least. Should I teach this gemara
with little outside material like any other? Or should I make a source
sheet with a few important sources such as the mishnah in Sota about
teaching one's daughter Torah, the Rambam, and a modern posek like the
Chafetz Chayim. If I choose the third approach then what other sources
should I include?
Remember this is a weak class so with the source sheet this lesson could
take two weeks to present. Are there any less halakhic more
hashkafic/inspirational material I can provide for the students. Do I want
to avoid making this a more general class on woman's role in Judaism or
should I invite such an exchange? What do I respond to the girl who argues
that Judaism is sexist?
I think that especially due to the backgrounds of the students in the
class these are issues that are always on their minds and must be
addressed if I have any hope of inspiring them to a lifetime of commitment
to Torah Umitzvot.
Sincerely,
Tzvi Pittinsky
The Frisch School</HTML>
