Page 82 - issue
P. 82
GIVING OUR KIDS THE TOOLS TO BUILD A “TEIVA”
THE CRUCIAL LINK BETWEEN OUR BOYS’ COMMAND OF BASIC
HEBREW WORD STRUCTURE AND THEIR SUCCESS IN YESHIVA
by Moshe Wealcatch In my years of teaching in yeshiva, I saw it will have been worthwhile.
the vast majority of boys grow tremen- While much has been discussed regard-
DISCLAIMER: This article uses termi- dously in their Torah learning (among
nology such as “bright” or “intelli- many other areas of growth) as they ing the causes of the teens-at-risk problem,
gent” to describe some students. This progressed from elementary school I believe that there is a contributing factor
in no way implies that these terms through high school. But throughout that is often overlooked because it isn’t
accurately describe any one student’s those years, I invariably wondered why related to any major disenchantment with
complete intellectual ability or others’ many other ostensibly “bright” students Jewish values, principles, or practices. Many
lack thereof. It has been proven by became disenfranchised and jaded with experienced mechanchim now agree,
leading experts (Howard Gardner, et learning by the time they left school. What though, that it is a significant issue that can
al) that humans possess multiple I subsequently concluded, through observ- lead to great frustration for yeshiva boys
intelligences and are most always ing many of these boys, as well as speaking and needs to be addressed. This is the fact
stronger in some and weaker in oth- to rebbeim and leaders in the chinuch that too many of our children go through
ers. As such, I have surrounded these world, may be somewhat uncomfortable to the yeshiva system unable to keep pace in
terms by quotation marks. Also, this admit. However, I believe that my interpre- school because of deficient skills in reading
article does not attempt to address tation of the issues, along with the solution and translating Hebrew. After going
the individual challenges that our I am proposing, will resonate with many through many years of yeshiva this way, the
boys may face that require profession- parents. If it could get us all to reevaluate confidence in their abilities has been so
al treatment, such as psychological, the design of our current limudei kodesh weakened by the time they graduate that
biochemical, or learning disability curriculum, and at the very least have con- they often (mistakenly) conclude that they
issues. Those are far beyond the structive discussions regarding its efficacy, are just not cut out for learning and decide
scope of this article. to give it up for good.
BY HAROLD ROSINSKY Don’t Panic! Call Atlantic!
443-213-1800
www.atlantic-mechanical.com
IsyouHr “OhoTtw?ater” FREEAutograph • 410-585-1513
Autograph • 410-585-1513
Don’t4P4a3n-i2c1! C3a-1ll8A0t0lantic! WINASTPERECHTEIOATNE*R
Offer expires December 31, 2016
SHOMER SHABBOS • LICENSED & INSURED • SAME DAY SERVICE *Cannot be combined with any other promotion.
MD Master Plumber/Gas Fitter License #8725 Repairs not included.
74 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
THE CRUCIAL LINK BETWEEN OUR BOYS’ COMMAND OF BASIC
HEBREW WORD STRUCTURE AND THEIR SUCCESS IN YESHIVA
by Moshe Wealcatch In my years of teaching in yeshiva, I saw it will have been worthwhile.
the vast majority of boys grow tremen- While much has been discussed regard-
DISCLAIMER: This article uses termi- dously in their Torah learning (among
nology such as “bright” or “intelli- many other areas of growth) as they ing the causes of the teens-at-risk problem,
gent” to describe some students. This progressed from elementary school I believe that there is a contributing factor
in no way implies that these terms through high school. But throughout that is often overlooked because it isn’t
accurately describe any one student’s those years, I invariably wondered why related to any major disenchantment with
complete intellectual ability or others’ many other ostensibly “bright” students Jewish values, principles, or practices. Many
lack thereof. It has been proven by became disenfranchised and jaded with experienced mechanchim now agree,
leading experts (Howard Gardner, et learning by the time they left school. What though, that it is a significant issue that can
al) that humans possess multiple I subsequently concluded, through observ- lead to great frustration for yeshiva boys
intelligences and are most always ing many of these boys, as well as speaking and needs to be addressed. This is the fact
stronger in some and weaker in oth- to rebbeim and leaders in the chinuch that too many of our children go through
ers. As such, I have surrounded these world, may be somewhat uncomfortable to the yeshiva system unable to keep pace in
terms by quotation marks. Also, this admit. However, I believe that my interpre- school because of deficient skills in reading
article does not attempt to address tation of the issues, along with the solution and translating Hebrew. After going
the individual challenges that our I am proposing, will resonate with many through many years of yeshiva this way, the
boys may face that require profession- parents. If it could get us all to reevaluate confidence in their abilities has been so
al treatment, such as psychological, the design of our current limudei kodesh weakened by the time they graduate that
biochemical, or learning disability curriculum, and at the very least have con- they often (mistakenly) conclude that they
issues. Those are far beyond the structive discussions regarding its efficacy, are just not cut out for learning and decide
scope of this article. to give it up for good.
BY HAROLD ROSINSKY Don’t Panic! Call Atlantic!
443-213-1800
www.atlantic-mechanical.com
IsyouHr “OhoTtw?ater” FREEAutograph • 410-585-1513
Autograph • 410-585-1513
Don’t4P4a3n-i2c1! C3a-1ll8A0t0lantic! WINASTPERECHTEIOATNE*R
Offer expires December 31, 2016
SHOMER SHABBOS • LICENSED & INSURED • SAME DAY SERVICE *Cannot be combined with any other promotion.
MD Master Plumber/Gas Fitter License #8725 Repairs not included.
74 u www.wherewhatwhen.com u
