Gabriel H. Cohn

NEHAMA LEIBOWITZ - TEACHER OF TORAH

An Appraisal in Commemoration of her First Yahrzeit, Fifth of Nisan 5758

In this article on Nehama Leibowitz, written to commemorate her first Yahrzeit on the 5th of Nisan 5758, the author outlines features which account for her uniqueness. He suggests three basic reasons for her phenomenal success as a Torah teacher: her warm and interesting personality, her pedagogical grasp and didactic skill, and her ability to translate classical Jewish exegesis into the language of our generation.

The article describes how Nehama Leibowitz succeeded in adapting the Yeshiva method of learning Talmud to the study of T’nakh, and how she thereby transformed Torah study into an intellectual, emotional and moral challenge.

Special attention is paid to her contribution to increased study of Jewish commentators among various groups of Bible scholars. We focus particularly on her revelation of the P’shat aspect of rabbinic Midrashim, which form the basis of Jewish exegesis throughout the generations.


Azriel Rosenfeld

ILLUSTRATING HALAKHAH

Many areas of Halakhah involve terms whose meanings are uncertain (or have changed), or concepts that are difficult to describe verbally. From earliest times, graphical illustration was used, as necessary, to supplement verbal description. In modern times, illustrated works on halakhic topics have begun to appear, but many areas that could benefit from graphical treatment do not yet seem to have received it.

Care must be taken when designing illustrations for halakhic topics:

    1. Divergent opinions must sometimes be illustrated, even if they do not represent accepted views.

    2. all available sources - not just the traditional commentaries - should be taken into account in determining the correct definition of a concept or term.

    3. Illustrations are often overly specific; in particular, they may include irrelevant features, and give no indication of variability.

This article briefly discusses these and other problems that can arise in illustrating Halakhah, and also comments on issues of organization and format. Illustration is an important aid to Torah study; the choice and design of illustrations requires careful attention.