JS 7A

Week of 10/22

Well, the Chagim and TEVA are past and we actually had a full week of learning!

We have started our study of the 8th Chapter of the Tractate Sanhedrin which deals with case of the stubborn and rebellious son. If you want to follow along, the Torah Verses are Devarim 21:18-21. Though it is a short section, many interesting questions were raised in class:

  What does the word 'son' mean (someone's son or a young person)?

  What is the definition of a glutton?

  Why does the text keep refering to "his father and his mother"?

  Who are the "elders"?

Finally, why such a terrible punishment for a seemingly not so serious offense?

We have read the first Mishnah and the studentsare beginning to learn how the Rabbis will deal with these issues.  As we continue I will be teaching the background and context of the Mishnah so that the students have a better appreciation of the genius of this seminal work.

We will start this week with current events which will focus on critical reading of articles pertaining to the Jewish world.

Their first article will be due this week.

+++++++++++++++++++++ Current Events Links +++++++++++++++++++++++++

Jerusalem Post

Haaretz

Jewish Daily Forward (English On Line Version)

Extracurricular Activities