The Shiurim and students' responses were, in my eyes, representative of the growing differences between the the two institutions and their influence on North American Jewry.
At YU - a Shiur about Tfila. It's categorization, meaning and effectiveness. The Shiur had all the expected key word: A חילוק of Reb Chaim, The Holocaust, a reference to Rav Soloveichik and mention of The State of Israel. Though wrapped in ethos and pathos and the lack of source sheets, the message was very traditional - our dependency on Hahsem in our private and communal lives and the role Tfila plays in that dependency.
At YCT - a Shiur about animal rights in Halacha. The Shiur had all the expected key words: Values, ethics, "Halacha Vs." and "letter of the law". Though it was all based on analyzing traditional texts the message was revolutionary - the possible inconsistency between Halacha and Torah values.
None of the students were familiar with the differences between the institutions. Most of them had never even heard of YCT and I didn't discuss it with them. Their responses were fascinating.
All the students thoroughly enjoyed one of the Shiurim and thoroughly did not enjoy the other. It was about a 50-50 split, though, between which they did and did not enjoy. Interesting.
Personally, I both objected and enjoyed both of them...
Rabbi Spitz:
ReplyDelete50-50 split would be a huge achievement for YCT. If this is reflective, YCT has a future in Orthodox Judaism. I am skeptical.
Dudu
Dudu,
DeleteI didn't check the numbers exactly but that was my overall impression. If you were to check which students were in each group, though, you might be less excited. Then again, maybe that's exactly the point - THAT style and approach is what a certain type of student may feel was lacking from the Judaism he was taught his entire life and is excited to find that it has a place within Torah as well. That is the aspect of it I enjoyed. The aspects of it I objected to - I will reserve for a different time.