Left to right: Levi Brown, Menachem Mendel Gutnick, Chaim Pinczower, Zalman Szmerling.
At the Rabbinical College of Australia & NZ, the study cycle of Gemoro L’Iyun (Talmud in depth) spans eight years, with a different Masechta (tractate) studied each year. The Gemoro curriculum places much emphasis on the thorough analysis of the text, and about 20 Blatt (folios) are learned over the course of the year, with the commentaries of Rashi and Tosfos. The end of 5771 marked the conclusion of Masechta Pesachim, which deals primarily with the laws of Passover.
In addition to the standard curriculum, the Rabbinical College offers an elective “Limud Bal Peh” (learning by heart) program, aimed at encouraging our advanced students to learn and memorize large sections of the Talmud. The rules of the program are designed to achieve two important goals. Firstly, participants study the material without utilizing any study aids, thus honing their academic self-sufficiency. Secondly, the students memorize the material thoroughly, ensuring that they retain their newly-acquired knowledge. The progress of all participants is closely monitored, in order to ensure that all targeted goals are being met, without impairing their performance in other areas of the curriculum.
This past year, three of our students learned large sections of Masechta Pesachim by heart, which they recited in increments of approximately three Blatt: Chaim Pinczower learned 86 Blatt, Menachem Mendel Gutnick (Sydney) learned 63 Blatt, and Zalman Szmerling learned 63 Blatt. Additionally, Levi Brown distinguished himself by memorizing and reciting over 50 pages of Maamorim (Chassidic discourses) by heart. The Rabbinical College takes great pride in their accomplishments, and presented each student with a non-cash award, to be used towards the purchase of Seforim.
The success of last year’s program has motivated many more students to participate in the “Limud Bal Peh” program. At present, eight of our advanced students have begun learning and memorizing Masechta Kiddushin, the tractate which is currently being studied at the Rabbinical College. Masechta Kiddushin deals primarily with the laws of the first stage of a Jewish marriage, and also defines the various modes and aspects of Kinyanim (legal process of acquisition) in general. Their progress can be viewed here.
We thank our donors for generously contributing towards these awards. Please contact us to obtain further information about this project, or for sponsorship opportunities.