2008 Woodie Awards
The Crusade to Destroy Yeshiva's Hebrew Department
Avi Shteingart
Issue date: 3/29/05 Section: Opinion
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Yeshiva University prides itself on producing well-educated young adults, knowledgeable in both Judaic and secular studies. To accomplish this goal, Yeshiva has certain course requirements, which include a number of courses in Jewish subjects: Jewish History, Bible and Hebrew. Yeshiva believes that it provides a solid foundation in these subjects, even refusing to accept credits from the intense and prestigious Bechina Yerushalymit, administered in Jewish day schools.
When I first came to Yeshiva, I was angered by these enormous requirements. "Who needs Bible? I can open a Tanach myself," I thought. "I was in Israel for a year, I can speak Hebrew fluently." However, after taking some of the classes, I became aware of the importance of studying these subjects. Many of my teachers caught my interest in their respective subjects, encouraging me to pursue similar classes. Rabbi Carmy introduced me to parts of Torah and Tanach far beyond the simple reading of Mikra'ot Gedolot. Rabbi Orlian made the megilot fascinating (beyond Esther and Ruth), going deeper and further than the material at face value, studying the grammar and midrash.
In Hebrew class, Dr. David Ben-Menachem made the study of grammar and linguistics enthralling. Not only did he describe the rules and their many exceptions, he explained the foundations of the language, its development, and the reasons for the many exceptions. I had studied Hebrew for twelve years in elementary and high school, and yet I never once understood the difference between the shevva nah and shevva nach. Every year I learned the same thing over, never understanding and always forgetting after the test. It is hard to imagine that the study of grammar can be entertaining, yet Dr. Ben-Menachem managed to enthrall everyone, conducting a thorough and humorous class.
Professor Ben-Menachem is not popular because some students say he gives easy tests and does not assign homework. To the contrary, he assigns homework every class and goes over it the next time, calling on everyone in the room to contribute. His finals are identical to those of other teachers, and are often more difficult. In fact, her 1206 final is notoriously demanding; many friends told me not to take his class because of the final." However, as Ben-Menachem once said, "If all the teachers would teach like I [do], all the students could get A's." At yumesorah.com, Prof. Ben-Menachem received an average rating of 9.3 (17 out of 18 students rated him above 8 in 1205, and everyone rated him 10 in 1206, the harder class) - higher than any other Hebrew teacher! One student commented, "Great teacher and all around great man. The class can be tedious at times, but you still learn a lot. He grades exams a bit hard..." Another person beamed, "A brilliant educator and a fine man - top of his field with decades of experience but still able to relay the material clearly as if it's his first time. Tough though - real tough grader." Yet another wrote, "Great Professor. Knows his stuff. Will make you know the stuff. Very clear, straightforward, organized approach. Highly recommended." Few other teachers are able to capture both their students' interest as well as Prof. Ben-Menachem (he is rated 7 out of over 100 teachers in YC). Although known for his tough tests, his class in one of the most popular in the department.
When I first came to Yeshiva, I was angered by these enormous requirements. "Who needs Bible? I can open a Tanach myself," I thought. "I was in Israel for a year, I can speak Hebrew fluently." However, after taking some of the classes, I became aware of the importance of studying these subjects. Many of my teachers caught my interest in their respective subjects, encouraging me to pursue similar classes. Rabbi Carmy introduced me to parts of Torah and Tanach far beyond the simple reading of Mikra'ot Gedolot. Rabbi Orlian made the megilot fascinating (beyond Esther and Ruth), going deeper and further than the material at face value, studying the grammar and midrash.
In Hebrew class, Dr. David Ben-Menachem made the study of grammar and linguistics enthralling. Not only did he describe the rules and their many exceptions, he explained the foundations of the language, its development, and the reasons for the many exceptions. I had studied Hebrew for twelve years in elementary and high school, and yet I never once understood the difference between the shevva nah and shevva nach. Every year I learned the same thing over, never understanding and always forgetting after the test. It is hard to imagine that the study of grammar can be entertaining, yet Dr. Ben-Menachem managed to enthrall everyone, conducting a thorough and humorous class.
Professor Ben-Menachem is not popular because some students say he gives easy tests and does not assign homework. To the contrary, he assigns homework every class and goes over it the next time, calling on everyone in the room to contribute. His finals are identical to those of other teachers, and are often more difficult. In fact, her 1206 final is notoriously demanding; many friends told me not to take his class because of the final." However, as Ben-Menachem once said, "If all the teachers would teach like I [do], all the students could get A's." At yumesorah.com, Prof. Ben-Menachem received an average rating of 9.3 (17 out of 18 students rated him above 8 in 1205, and everyone rated him 10 in 1206, the harder class) - higher than any other Hebrew teacher! One student commented, "Great teacher and all around great man. The class can be tedious at times, but you still learn a lot. He grades exams a bit hard..." Another person beamed, "A brilliant educator and a fine man - top of his field with decades of experience but still able to relay the material clearly as if it's his first time. Tough though - real tough grader." Yet another wrote, "Great Professor. Knows his stuff. Will make you know the stuff. Very clear, straightforward, organized approach. Highly recommended." Few other teachers are able to capture both their students' interest as well as Prof. Ben-Menachem (he is rated 7 out of over 100 teachers in YC). Although known for his tough tests, his class in one of the most popular in the department.