Joodse traditie als permanent leren

179.

not serve the Lord thy God with joyfulness and with gladness of heart, by reason of the abundance of all things, therefore shalt thou serve thine enemy" (Deut. 28:47-48). It is also said "That He might afflict thee ... to do thee good at thy latter end ..." (Deut. 8:16). ((3. 13))

((Who Shall Be Taught)) Torah should only be taught to a worthy pupil whose conduct is exemplary or whose disposition is simple. One, however, who walks in a way that is not good should first be reclaimed, trained in the right way and tested (as to his sincerity); then he is admitted into the Beth Hamidrash (College) and given instruction. The sages say "To teach a pupil who is unworthy is like casting a stone to Mercury (the idol), as it is said, "As one puts a stone in a sling, so is he that giveth honour to a fool" (The stone does not stay long in the sling; it is soon shot out, so honour given to a fool does not stay long with him) (Prov.26:8). There is no honour but the Torah, as it is said, "The wise shall inherit honour" (Prov. 3:35)1' So too, if a teacher does not walk in the right way - even if he is a great scholar and all the people are in need of him - instruction is not to be received from him till he reforms; as it is said, "For the priest's lips shall keep knowledge, and they shall seek the law from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the Lord of Hosts" (Mai. 2:7). Our sages applied this text thus: "If the teacher is like an angel of the Lord of Hosts, they may seek the Law from his mouth. But if he is not, then they shall not seek the Law from his mouth". ((4. l))

((Master and Disciple - Principles of Pedagogy)) How is instruction to be imparted? The teacher is seated in the schoolroom facing the class, with the pupils around him like a crown, so that they can all see him and hear his words. The teacher is not to sit on a stool while his pupils are seated on the floor. Either all sit on the floor, or all on stools. Formerly the teacher used to be seated, while the pupils stood. But before the destruction of the Second Temple, it already had become the universal custom that pupils, while being taught, should be seated.

If it was his custom to teach the pupils personally, he may do so. If, however, he taught through a Meturgeman (an interpreter), the latter stands between him and his pupils. The teacher addressed the inter