Talmud Torah

Today's title is not only a famous phrase from the Talmud, but also the term used for afternoon Hebrew/Religious Schools in America and Europe during the earlier parts of the 20th century.

The Talmud on Kiddush 40b (yes, the Babylonian Talmud uses folio numbers for page numbers, and it is accepted to announce these page numbers) discusses a debate between two great rabbis. Rabbi Akiva and Rabbi Tarfon debated a concept at the heart of leading an active life; which is more important--study or action?

Rabbi Tarfon says action.

Rabbi Akiva says study.

The debate in the Talmud is quickly put to rest as those involved agree with Rabbi Akiva.
Why do you think study is more important than action?

If you disagree, first think of why R' Akiva's position is upheld, and then explain your perspective.

If you agree, what is wrong with action, and why does Rabbi Tarfon have his opinion?

Good luck. You don't have to use voice thread, but feel free to make a video acting out the Rabbis' views and coming to a conclusion to the questions.

VoiceThread

For the remainder of the year, we'll be trying something new for the blog posts. We recently discovered the education friendly section of Voicethread.com which will allow us to continue to respond to the value, but increase the ways we can respond. No longer are we restricted to just the written word; you may now write, draw, share images, videos, or voice through Voicethread.

Here is the link:
theadelsoneducationalcampus.ed.voicethread.com

Remember your user name is first.last name, and your password is the unique string of characters I showed you in class.

Head over to Voicethread now, and comment on this week's value. As this is our first time with Voicethread, write two responses on two different days to not only the value, but also to one another.

Be positive!
Mr. Sakofs

Giving someone the benefit of the doubt

It says in Pirkei Avot, Yehoshua ben Parachyah says: …Judge everyone favorably.

How important is it to you to judge people favorably? If you're not sure, try it out and how does that person react to you. These are the amazing interactions we can have with one another if attempt this.

Do you have any experiences to share which can help us understand how we can do this?

Be on the lookout for a new way of sharing your thoughts later this week.

Helping one another

This week's value is themed around the State of Israel:
Helping others become self-sufficient and independent

“The highest degree of charity, exceeded by none, is that of the person who assists the poor by…putting him in a position where he can do without other people’s help.” --Maimonides, Laws Concerning Gifts to the Poor, 10:7

How does this relate? How can you live out this value? Do you do anything at the moment which would qualify? If so, what? If not, why not? What can you do and make a change in someone else's life?
(Of course, we could all give a fish, but let us the time to teach.)

R-E-S-P-O-N-S-I-B-I-L-I-T-Y

At this point in the year, I believe that every class has heard me quote the saying "when pointing a finger, three fingers point at you." I've often explained that this means, when accusing others we need to look at ourselves for solutions. We are the means of change, and ultimately can only control ourselves. We have the opportunity to be responsible, and must act accordingly.

This week's value is derived from Cain's remark to God: 'Am I my brother's keeper?'

Let's create a lengthy list, what responsibilities do you have?

Post by Wednesday.

Do we have an issue with bullying?

Are there cases of bullying at school? If so, we need to correct this. Let's talk about it, and find solutions to the problem.
How does a bully bully? And what ideas do you have to solve the problem?

These posts will earn extra credit through Monday.

Do Not Tease or Bully

“One who humiliates another, even though he is learned in Torah and performs other good deeds, will not go to Heaven.” --Pirkei Avot (Ethics of the Fathers) 3:11

I must say, this is a powerful statement. One could be extremely learned and pious, but if s/he does act with caution and value each person then it is as if the actions are for naught.

Do you have a personal example of a time when this occurred? Be careful, we don't want you to use names here and further embarrass someone else. Use fictitious names, letters or numbers.

I will share with you a great story in the Talmud about how to explain embarrassment, and how embarrassment is equated to death.

GET THINKING FOR THE NEXT POST TOO! Do we have an issue at school with teasing or bullying? Also, what constitutes bullying? Don't post to this line, yet. I'll make a new post in just a few short days.

Practical Applications of Time

It seems to be a problem of late, that we at Adelson are becoming more lackadaisical with our time. Our schedules have been altered and we forget when class begins and for some, when class ends. Do you have any ideas or suggestion as to how we can make our time be more valuable with one another? We know there is the occasional 'quick word' with a teacher or student that becomes five minutes or longer, but when the 'occasional' becomes the norm, we need to retool our attitudes and procedure for the common good.

Let's try something new with this post, and turn it into a running conversation. Feel free to not only suggest ideas, but positively develop others' to reach a new concensus. Keep the discussion positive and moving.

The Upper School is OUR community, and as such we have the power to shape it and make it an environment conducive to learning based on OUR needs. This week, let's tackle the idea of time and if you have a suggestion of something we should discuss e-mail me, and let's discuss.

We're here to build community, so let's build it.

"Does anybody really know what time it is?"

I'm sure that many of us know the expression "time=money," and I would wonder want does this mean about time (or money). We'll leave money for another discussion, leaving us to focus this week on time.

“Just as theft of money is theft, so is theft of time.”
–Mesilat Yesharim (Path of the Upright), Chapter 11

What do you think about time? Is it valuable and precious? Thinking in terms of the world, who do you think has the most valuable/precious time? In your perspective, who do you thank has the most precious time?

Responses, and thoughts are due Wednesday. I will be posting another thought on Tuesday to discuss throughout the week. The upcoming post will deal with the idea of time in our own community.

Two eyes, two ears, a nose and a mouth

We all have the same basic structure of a face, but what we do it with it is our own decision. It is one of the few body parts we could go through life without ever seeing (after all we only see it with the aid of water or a mirror).

How do you wear your face? Are you often with a smile or a frown? When you are smiling how do other people react? When you frown, do people join you in your sadness or attempt to turn the frown upside down?
There are people who say that frowning takes more muscle control than a smile. Yes, smiling is easier than frowning.

"Shammai says we should greet everyone cheerfully." (Pirkei Avot 1:15)
What do you think about this idea?

Purim Shpiel Script

Get your Shpiel, fresh off the presses! Get your shpiel!
(Yes, I do feel like a newsie.)

CHECKOUT THE CALENDAR ON EDLINE FOR TODAY, AND LOOK FOR THE PDF!!

HAG SAMEAH!
-Mr S

Tzaar baalei hayim

The verse which explains this week's value comes from Deuteronomy. (A Rav of mine once gave a shiur (lesson) on this topic and cited the humourous translation found in the Soncino Humash. A point for those who find it and share the 'weird' translation.)

“If a person comes across a nest of birds, he cannot take the mother bird with the young, but must send the mother away first.” –Deuteronomy 22:6

What are you opinions of this? Also, can you find another example in the Torah? HINT: I discussed it recently in class. If you know what it is, or have an idea, e-mail it to me and it will become part of the next post.

Demands Take Two

When we ask someone to do something for us, what level of completion do we expect? Of course, we all expect the job to be done, but how well? If we did it ourselves, we'd go the extra mile and make it perfect, but if someone else does it they might simply do the bare minimum. Is that fair or should we expect more, and is that expectation unrealistic or not?

Let's continue the discussion through Sunday.

Demands

This week's value is based on an expression in the Babylonian Talmud, in the Tractate Bava Batra.

“We are forbidden to make a decree on the community that the majority will find unbearable.”

The value is not to make unrealistic demands on others. Discuss your thoughts on this concept. Have you been a recipient of such a demand? Or have you made such demands on others? Also, do you believe this is a fair idea?

How do we judge others' work versus our own? What kind of barometer do you use?

I have more to say on this idea, so post by Wednesday 5PM for full credit, and be ready for a second set of marks from the second half of the week.

Acting Fairly Towards Everyone

This is a rather difficult value. Everyone deserves our individual attention and respect, but we are quick to respond to those with whom have had good experiences before hand. The Torah gives a very tough command, not just to act fairly towards our friends, but even more so towards our 'enemies.'

“When you encounter your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering, you must take it back to him.” --Exodus 23:4

• Can you think of modern day examples for this value?
  
• In addition, what strategies can you come up with to help us respond to one another?

Bal Tashchit

We began the discussion last week as to the destruction of the trees, when we looked at the concept of Bal Tashchit--'Do not destroy.' The Torah explicitly prohibits destroying fruit trees. Do you think there are times when it would be appropriate? I am writing the verse below, and I want you to speak for the trees, are there times when destruction might have to occur? Do not rely solely on your thoughts for this one, bring in sources to make your case. (The sources may be children's books, hint hint.)
“When you besiege a city for many days to wage war against it to capture it, you shall not destroy its trees by wielding an ax against them; you may eat from them, but you shall not cut them down. Is the tree of the field a man that you besiege?!” --Deuteronomy 20:19

Sources

“Whoever repeats a statement in the name of the one who said it brings redemption to the world.” –Pirkei Avot 6:6

I venture to propose that we all attempt to be unique and creative individuals. We are not the carbon copy of any other human being, yet we all learn ideas from others. Sometimes we acknowledge our mentors and sources and sometimes we try to pass them along as our own. What do you think about the importance of quoting not only our ideas but also giving them the credit that they deserve? Also, do you think there is a way to 'borrow' ideas and still maintain you unique identity?
I'm going to tally the points on Thursday. POST AWAY!

Your Experiences.

You all feel that it is not good to be shy, and refrain from questions. How do YOU express yourselves with this value?
Do you remember my quote of Professor Strunk? How does the idea of not being shy, fit with the adage 'there are no stupid questions?'

There are a lot of questions, and I hope you aren't shy in sharing your experiences and opinions.

Responses due Monday.

“One who is bashful will never learn.” –Pirkei Avot 2:5

What does this quote mean to you? How does it apply to your character? (It may not apply, and through not applying you can explain what it means.)

Thoughts are due on Wednesday morning, and there will be a second post going up on Wednesday evening.

Exam Questions

Between now and Tuesday, if you have questions on the exam this might be the best place to ask them. I will check semi-regularly to respond.

Just Lost, to be found

Please list name, date, time and location of you know who.

Lost & Found

You are walking along the street, in a parking lot, a mall or another public place and stumble upon each of the following items. What do you do with each of them? ANSWER HONESTLY! Please also answer for each item on their own account, and respond only within your blog. (This is not the time to write, "Same as so and so.")

A quarter?
A hat?
A set of keys?
A 20$ bill?
A necklace?
A photograph?

If you have anything that you would like to add to the list, please add it at the end of your comment. Those who post afterward will have the opportunity to 'find your item' as well.

(The second post this week will be based off of classwork from early this week.)

"Peek-a-boo"

Welcome back from Winter Recess. We are going to be taking the blog to the next level with sharing our thoughts, and delving into ideas more deeply than we have. This being said, I expect FULL PARTICIPATION; you will get more out of the experience, and you will EARN higher marks.

For the first blog posting of 2009, and the first post for the week, you will need your Tanakh. Open up to Leviticus 19:14. What does this verse mean? What does it mean to you? In addition sharing your thoughts, I want each of you to re-write the verse using an analogy.