In my previous article I outlined a number of criteria in attaining successful learning with reading fluency being the fundamental basis of all learning. For effortless reading, students must be able to move on from reading in syllables which is the first level of reading, to unit reading or whole word reading before commencing to learn Chumash. Reading in unit reading is rudiment to be able to identify prefix, suffix and shoreshim. If the student continues to read in syllables, he will see random letters on a page and will not be recognizing them as words, hence a poor vocabulary bank, leading to poor translation skills will follow. I would like to now continue by discussing how translation plays a major role in becoming a successful learner.

There is a trend in the chinuch field today to use simplified English when teaching first graders. This approach is used to explain the concept of a posuk, understandably on the child’s level. However, simplifying English may often lead to inaccurate translation which stays with the child as he works his way through school. We can look to Chazal for the below examples.

We are taught in פרקי אבות פרק כה משנה ד

אלישע   בן  אבויה  אומר  הלומד  ילד  למה  הוא  דומה? לדיו   כתובה  על  ניר  חדש

“Elisha ben Avuya says, one who studies as a child, to what can he be compared to? To ink written on parchment that is new”. We can interpret this as meaning that paper retains ink legibly and permanently, so what is taught at a young age stays with the child.

Rashi says on that Mishna, that when writing on new parchment, ink attaches to it solidly without getting erased. So too, one who learns when he’s young, does not forget it forever.  Rabbenu Yona writes in a similar vein that when writing on a new parchment, it does not get erased, so too in one’s learning it does not get forgotten from his heart.

Therefore, learning incorrect tr anslations from one’s childhood will remain and be used throughout one’s future learning.

To illustrate this further, I would like to bring down a fascinating Gemara in Bava Basra 21A where there is a dispute between Rava and Rav Dimi concerning the appointment of a Rebbe.

The Shulchan Orech  paskens like Rav Dimi  ש״ע י״ד סי׳ רמה סעיף יט who says “we appoint teachers that are exact ( he checks to make sure his students are reading accurately) but do not teach at a fast pace, for once a mistake enters a child’s mind, it remains”.

He brings down a fascinating story to prove his point. Yoav was the general of Dovid HaMelech’s army and when Dovid HaMelech asked him why he had only wiped out the male population of the Amalekites and yet spared the females, he replied, as it is written “עֲמָלֵק זְכַר את תִּמְחֶה” you shall obliterate the MALES of Amalek. Dovid HaMelech said to him we read the posuk as follows “עֲמָלֵק זֵכַר את תִּמְחֶה” which means obliterate the MEMORY of the  Amalekites, both males and females. Yoav answered that he was taught to read it as זְכַר (males).

Yoav then went back to his rebbe and asked him how to read the posuk. His rebbe read it correctly (but Yoav had mistakenly read זְכַר when he was a child and, negligently, the rebbe had failed to correct Yoav’s faulty reading) and then Yoav drew his sword to kill him. His rebbe asked him why he wanted to kill him. Yoav brought a posuk from Yirmiyahu that states “Cursed is he who does the work of Hashem negligently.” The gemara continues  “one says he killed him, one opinion says he didn’t”.

In the same gemara later on in Bava Basra 21B  “Rava says that any person whose occupation is such that he is in a position to cause an irreversible loss is considered as forewarned not to cause such a loss”.

An occupation Rava * mentions, is a rebbe who teaches with mistakes. He must be removed immediately from his position.

What are called mistakes?

Below are just a few examples of mistakes from Chumash translation sheets which were given to various parents from different Yeshivas.

To explain the above inaccuracies, for example, pain means an ache, whilst affliction means suffering or a state of pain.

Also note that most of the above hebrew words are in past tense and are זכר (male).  The Yeshiva translation sheets are in present tense and is non denominational.

I would like to quote HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Shlomo Miller Shlita, head of the Kollel Avreichem and Av Beis Din of Toronto…..

“………It is impossible to understand the depth of pshat in Kisvei HaKodesh if one does not know anything of hebrew grammar……..”

It cannot be emphasized enough  the tremendous  responsibility an Yeshiva has in making sure that translations sheets are grammatically correct, whether it be chumash or gemara, before giving them out to the student. These sheets are a blueprint for learning skills and enable each student to develop knowledge in understanding Torah. They play a major role in helping the student become a self sufficient learner. …. the ultimate goal in Torah learning!

*The Shulchan Orech also paskens like Rava  ש״ע ח״מ סי׳ שׁו סעיף ח

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For more information regarding the shaarhatalmud programs or to schedule a presentation in your community or Yeshiva/Bais Yaakov call:

Rabbi Dovid Abenson

Tel: 514 739 3629

Email ravabenson@shaarhatulmud.com

Website shaarhatalmud.com

*Endorsed by HaRav HaGaon Rabbi Matisyahu  Salamon shlita,  Mashgiach of BMG Lakewood