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Iyunim:
Weekly insights on the Parasha with commentaries
by Nehama Leibovitz, za"l
Hebrew
dates and times
This series is sponsored by the
Joint Program for Jewish Education of the Jewish Agency for Israel
and the Ministry of Education
and Culture of the State of Israel
Professor Nechama Leibowitz, of Blessed Memory
Nechama (as she identified herself on the telephone, and as she was
known to all her students and well-wishers) enriched the Torah world and
its students in many realms:
A. She restored the glory of studying the written Torah, and of
Bible study in general, following the Peshat, the literal meaning of the
text, in according with the medieval commentators and the midrashim, both
the halachic and the aggadic. She channeled her energies primarily into
her great undertaking:the commentary of Rashi on the Torah.
B. She expanded the commentary library of the student by revealing
many commentaries which were not known to the learner, and acquainted
him with the supercommentaries, which imparted an additional, more profound,
dimension to Torah study.
C. She introduced didactic methods for the teaching of the Torah
that also influenced religious studies as a whole. the goal of these methods
was to turn the pupil into a learner, employing the question, the difference,
the shared and the disparate, synthesis, structure, form and content,
precise definitions, and error as a basis for further effort.
D. She emphasized the meanings relevant to the contemporary learner:
by citing modern commentaries, by her extraordinary sensitivity for the
learner's problem, the ability to determine the message contained in the
sources, and her sharp and clear formulation of these messages in a language
and style that speak to every learner.
E. She caused everyone to fall in love with Torah study: young
and old, layman and scholar, teacher and pupil, in Israel and in the Diaspora.
F. Following in her path, the regular study of parshat ha-shavua,
the weekly Torah portion, was begun in Israel and the Diaspora. Every
Shabbat, classes on parshat ha-shavua are held, using Nechama's "gilyonot"
(sheets) and her collections of studies. The study of parshat ha-shavua
has become an institution throughout the Jewish world.
G. She made an inestimable contribution by training generations
of teachers, for all levels of study, in Israel and the Diaspora. These
teachers transmit her insights and her method of study to their pupils,
and to their pupils' pupils.
H. The Torah that she taught in such a glowing, open manner to
every student, to whomever addressed questions to her, day or night, from
throughout the world, the light within her, the Torah she taught, and
her countenance - that are the reason why the Torah shall be taught by
countless numbers of individuals, through love of the Torah.
Nechama's name shall be inscribed for all eternity among the greatest
disseminators of Torah throughout the generations.
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