Rabbi Taler’s enthusiasm was echoed by the other trip participants, JBHS Talmud Chairman Rabbi Zelig Prag, Rabbi Hanoch Gez and Mrs. Sarah Rosenbaum.
“I had read books written by the teachers from Herzog, so to meet them in person and participate in their lectures was inspiring,” said Mrs. Rosenbaum.
The Tanakh conference brings together thousands of people each year for an intensive week of study. Teachers, scholars, and those who just enjoy Tanakh, came from all over Israel to participate in the Yemei Iyun. Classes began at 9 am and continued to 5:30 pm. Participants attended classes on Torah, Nevi’im (prophets) and Kethuvim (the writings) and learned from top academics and Rabbanim who are leading Tanakh scholars and notable writers.
The YOF faculty was already well-versed in the Herzog Institute’s philosophy. Rabbi Amnon Bazak (of the Herzog Institute) visited the yeshivah last spring and gave the faculty a taste of his approach to learning and teaching Tanakh.
Mrs. Rosenbaum reflected on Rabbi Bazak’s approach, “he looks at the text in front of you using researcher eyes, paying close attention to the wording and looking at the text carefully. By doing this, he opens your thoughts to the Tanakh as a whole.”
The YOF team kicked off this exciting and memorable week by visiting various biblical sites with guide David Nativ, a Tanakh scholar and a teacher at Herzog. The Herzog approach to learning focuses on the peshat (literal text) and looking at the big picture. It uses comparative reading, exploring key words, attention to singular and plural language, understanding ideas through context and paying attention to the morals and values in the text. The approach puts the learner into the text so they relate to the Tanakh on human terms using human understanding. By looking at the text in this way, the learner can understand the Tanakh from a 21st century perspective.
“Looking around the room, at the smiling participants, you could see that hey were really enjoying what they were learning. The approach was refreshing and the teachers brought new life into the text,” Rabbi Taler explained.
The Flatbush faculty had the honor of one-on-one meetings with the teachers during their free time, when the professors answered questions and gave the them tips for approaching the Tanakh.
Back just a short time, the staff is already implementing changes that reflect their Tanakh training in Israel. They are staying in close contact with the Herzog staff through email and phone, and are working on adapting the Herzog philosophy into the Flatbush High School curriculum. YOF will continue its relationship with the Herzog Institute, and is looking forward to sending more teachers to experience the Yemei Iyun next summer.
