1 Spiritual Friendship in the Inter-Religious Studies Classroom: Lessons from Chavruta Study (15 minute version for oral presentation) Laura Duhan-Kaplan Vancouver School of Theology LDKaplan@vst.edu SLIDE: Photo of room w/ dozens of pairs of students studying at long tables Chavruta study is an educational technique that encourages students to develop critical thinking skills and relational skills at the same time. In chavruta, students study texts and ideas in pairs or in small groups. 1 They listen, affirm, ask critical questions, and work out answers together. 2 Two thousand years ago, early Jewish teachers wrote about how powerful chavruta is. Now, contemporary teachers are developing different variations and different applications for it—including inter-religious learning. 3 SLIDE: Definitions The Hebrew word chaver means “friend.” The Aramaic word chavruta means “studying sacred text with a friend” (or a small group of friends). The early Talmudic rabbis thought it was best to study in community. As they saw it, every word of God’s speech expresses layers of meaning. 4 So it takes a community of interpreters, working together, to understand it. 5 The Biblical Hebrew root, chet, bet, resh, also means “to join.” As learners think and feel together, their relationship grows. 6 So, ideally, do their intellectual and social skills. SLIDE: Proverbs quotation & photo of a knife sharpening tool The Talmudic sages say that learning in chavruta sharpens your mind. One discussion riffs off a verse in Proverbs, chapter 27, verse 17. The verse says: ב ר ז ל ב ב ר ז ל י ח ד, ו א י ש י ח ד פ נ י ר ע ה ו Like iron upon iron together, so is a man together, facing his friend. 7 Rabbi Chama, quoting Rabbi Chanina, interprets the verse. The Hebrew word yachad, which means “together,” is related to the word chadad, to sharpen. When two pieces of iron together, yachad, rub against one another, both pieces become sharper, 1 For the value of a circle of students learning together see, for example, Eitan Fishbane, “God in the Face of the Other” and Laura Duhan-Kaplan, “Sacred Fellowship of Learners.” 2 Holzer, “Good Teaching.” 3 See, for example, Schoenfeld and Diller; Firestone and Farragh. 4 Fishbane Michael, 33-46. 5 B. Talmud, Bava Metzia 59a-b. 6 Adler, “The Goals of Chevruta.” 7 Proverbs 27:17, my translation.