Blackwell Reference Online

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[ xxii ] The main educational institution of traditional J udaism , with an all-male student body usually ranging in age from early teens to mid-20s. The yeshivah curriculum concentrates on certain tractates of the Babylonian T almud and its many commentaries [70: 113]. The method of study involves the preparation of a text by two, or sometimes three, students ( chavruta ) together who will discuss the implications of a particular subject ( sugya ) and argue the pros and cons of various interpretations. A lecture is then delivered by a R abbi on the yeshivah staff, and students raise objections and questions to his exposition. After the lecture a further session of chavruta study will go over ( chazarah ) the rabbi's lecture ( shiur ) [19: 182; 67: xxx ]. The narrow curriculum and the casuistical method of study ( pilpul ) of some yeshivot have been severely criticized by Jewish educationists, but they nevertheless remain characteristic of the yeshivah system. [39; 69: 206] ... log in or subscribe to read full text