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USCJ EC Staff Meeting Shiur - January 2006

Questions for Discussion:

1. What's so great about a really good question? Why do we always say, "There are no stupid questions"?
2. Are you a questioner? Are you comfortable challenging ideas and seeking more information?
3. Jewish tradition is grounded in questions and discussion. In the Torah, Abraham and others questioned and challenged God. The rabbis of the Talmud questioned and pondered each word of the Torah, seeking meaning and creating interpretations and laws by which we still live today. When we approach text, we ask it questions in order to get to the heart of the mater, the deeper substance. What questions might you ask of the following text? (Don't worry about the answers):

   Exodus 1:15-21. From Parashat Shemot, which we read in synagogue January 21, 2005 15 And the king of Egypt spoke to the Hebrew midwives, one of whom was named Shiphrah, and the other Puah; 16 and he said: "When you deliver the Hebrew women, look at the birthstool: if it is a son, kill him; but if it is a daughter, let her live." 17 But the midwives feared God, and did not do as the king of Egypt commanded them, but saved the boys alive. 18 And the king of Egypt called for the midwives, and said to them: "Why have you done this thing, and have saved the boys alive?" 19 And the midwives said to Pharaoh: "Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered before the midwife can come to them." 20 And God dealt well with the midwives; and the people multiplied, and increased greatly. 21 And it came to pass, because the midwives feared God, that He established households for them.

   After you've come up with some questions, where might you go to find some answers?
4. How can you create a culture that encourages investigation and asking really good questions in your classroom? How do you encourage children to ask questions?

Printable version

Maxine Segal Handelman
Consultant for Early Childhood Education,
United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism